When dental appliances are placed, a cheek retractor is used to keep the teeth visible and dry during the procedure. The teeth are first polished to ensure that the brackets adhere properly, after which they are air-dried. The first step for dental appliances is to refer the patient to an orthodontist because of concern about the position of the teeth in the jaw. At the first appointment with the orthodontist, the teeth should be examined manually and with radiographic images.
It's also important to discuss the dental history with the patient, which will help guide treatment decisions. Orthodontics is the treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws. This includes overbites and underbites, crooked or crowded teeth, or teeth with too much space between them. An orthodontist specializes in performing these treatments and will use special devices, such as braces and retainers, to fix these problems.
Fixed orthodontic appliances are one of the names given to fixed orthodontic appliances. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the treatment of malocclusions, that is, the deviation in the position of the teeth or of the upper and lower jaws. These malocclusions can be treated with fixed appliances (dental appliances) or removable appliances. Your treatment plan will include the type of braces needed, expectations during the procedure, care for the braces, and a general schedule.
Wait 1 to 2 hours for the procedure. You should also expect a level of discomfort and unfamiliarity, as your tongue and cheeks will rub against the braces. It should take a week or so to get used to that tenderness and pain. The foods you eat and the foods you don't eat will have a big impact on the cleanliness and effectiveness of orthodontic appliances for you.
The brackets are attached to the teeth with special cements and then the wire is secured to the braces with elastics or can be self-ligated. During each adjustment appointment, the movement of the teeth and the progress made so far with the dental appliances should be evaluated, helping to make ongoing decisions. Patients who have problems such as cracked, fractured, missing, or decayed teeth may need dental restoration to help improve. The initial consultation is important, as it is the time when the patient and the dental professional will discuss all of the patient's options.
Any excess dental cement can then be removed and the attachment of the braces to the teeth is reinforced with high-intensity light. The first step is to place the brackets, which are held in place on the teeth with special dental glue. Periodic appointments are needed to adjust the dental wires to ensure that the repositioning of the teeth continues throughout the process. Another orthodontic treatment option is lingual braces, or braces that are placed behind the teeth instead of in front of them.
Dental cement is used to hold the brackets in place on the teeth, in the exact position that was determined during the initial exams. Many patients notice some swelling of the gums after the dental appliance removal procedure, but this usually goes away within a few days with proper oral care. The dental professional will perform an oral exam to determine the type of oral problems that need to be addressed. Therefore, the remaining cement can be removed with a manual dental piece, similar to the one used to repair a dental cavity.
