BRACES RETAINERS

• When To Get Braces Retainers
• The Orthodontic Process
• Overbite, Underbite, Malocclusions
• Tooth Movement, Headgear, Mini Implants
• Clear vs Metal Braces
• Invisilign
• Space Maintainers, Palatal Expanders, and other Ortho Appliances
• Retainers

BRACES RETAINERS: (orthodontics)

In today’s ever COSMETIC ORIENTED SOCIETY, ORTHODONTICS is a very important field.

In general, the ideal occlusion is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth, and the lower molars and canines are aligned slightly ahead of the uppers when closed. There are many other factors, but that's the general picture. Braces are needed when teeth need to be moved for a variety of reasons.

• Crowding
• Not enough room for all teeth to erupt
• Excessive overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite (the teeth do not contact, normally in front)
• Cross bite (when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth)
• Midline is off
• Upright teeth that have tipped

They are more common in adolescents, but these days many adults are getting them as well. They are not only an esthetic concern, but can help prevent TMJ problems and can definitely help position teeth to be restored properly.

Often times BRACES will not be placed until a majority of the PRIMARY TEETH have fallen out (about 10-12 yrs of age), but ORTHODONTISTS often times do like to see patients BEFORE this happens.

This is necessary because if they see a developmental problem EARLY, sometimes they can HELP CORRECT it early, which may make actual BRACES stage less involved.

Diagrams of Overbite, Underbite, Malocclusions

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

There are metal BANDS which are cemented around the MOLAR teeth, and the remaining teeth receive BRACKETS, which are cemented to the fronts of the teeth. This can normally be done without the use of any ANESTHETIC.

Often times SPACERS will be placed about 1 week prior to having the braces put on. These go between your molars, which make room for the bands to be placed when the braces are put on. This normally does not hurt, and just feels like you have food stuck between your teeth.

There are wires that are placed between each BRACKET and BAND, and are held in place with TINY rubber bands. This wire is bent accordingly to move the teeth to the desired positions.

For normal orthodontic cases, the braces will be TIGHTENED every month, and for the first few days afterwards, the teeth are usually UNCOMFORTABLY sore.

Other items which may be used are larger RUBBER BANDS. Patients may need to manually place these between arches, depending on the orthodontists recommendations.

TOOTH MOVEMENT:

Teeth are moved with the wires, and need an anchoring force. This is normally provided by the molars, but sometimes HEADGEAR or MINI IMPLANTS may be needed.

HEADGEAR goes around your head/neck and attaches to your teeth/braces, and your head/neck provide the anchoring force to pull your teeth where they are needed.

MINI IMPLANTS can sometimes be placed in your mouth, and provide the same anchoring force to move teeth as needed. Mini implants are not permanent, and are removed after they are not needed.

HOW LONG WILL I NEED MY BRACES? This depends on the complexity of the case and varies between individuals.

CLEAR OR METAL?

Obviously there is an esthetic difference, but it does take LONGER to move the teeth wearing the CLEAR ones than wearing the METAL ones. So take your pick.

INVISILIGN: The most esthetic obviously, but it is primarily used for MINOR orthodontic cases, and you may need to see your ORTHODONTIST as often as EVERY WEEK.

ORTHODONTISTS also can place PALATAL EXPANDERS, to help expand the palate in children whose palate is too narrow.

SPACE MAINTAINERS, which are placed in children who have lost primary teeth prematurely. The space may need to be maintained in order to allow room for the permanent tooth to erupt.

OTHER RETAINERS, which may accomplish any number of goals, such as tipping a tooth forward.

Speaking of retainers…

RETAINERS :

After ORTHODONTIC treatment concludes, you still will need to wear a RETAINER INDEFINITELY!!!

Some orthodontists cement a wire to the backs of the lower (and or upper) front teeth to prevent them from moving as a FIXED RETAINER, but many just make REMOVABLE RETAINERS.

Since the teeth were moved ARTIFICIALLY, they will have a tendency to MOVE BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL POSITION!

HAWLEY RETAINERS:

These are the wire + acrylic retainers, and hold the teeth position very well.

ESSEX RETAINERS:

These are the clear plastic retainers, and also hold the teeth position fine. Your orthodontist will probably recommend one or the other, but they both serve the same purpose. As long as you wear your retainers (whichever you get), your teeth will stay straight.

Your BRACES probably cost THOUSANDS of dollars, DO NOT THROW THAT AWAY BY NOT WEARING YOUR RETAINERS!!!

Initially it is recommended to wear them EVERY NIGHT, but after while you only need to wear them 2-3 NIGHTS per MONTH.

braces retainers, orthodontic retainers

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE…

BRACES can be used to help RESTORE a seemingly HOPELESS tooth…braces retainers, orthodontic retainers

ORTHODONTIC EXTRUSION:

This is used when a tooth is fractured off at or below the gumline, and more tooth needs to be exposed in order to restore. The tooth will need to be ROOT CANALED first, but after that is done, the ORTHODONTIST will attach a wire to the tooth, place a few ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS, and have that tooth EXTRUDED out of the socket as many MILIMETERS as needed. This is often done in CONJUNCTION with PERIDONTAL (gum) SURGERY. When the tooth is EXTRUDED, often times the gum will come with the tooth. Therefore, the gum may need to be cut back to where it is on the adjacent teeth.

After the tooth is extruded the proper amount, it will probably need to be HELD at that position for a few months, to allow the bone to form under the root. If this is not done, the tooth may attempt to return to its original position. braces retainers, orthodontic retainers