The brace; what is it and how does it work?

The brace; what is it and how does it work?

Standard orthodontic braces Liverpool are tools that allow specially trained dentists or orthodontists to correct misaligned teeth by consistently applying pressure.This results in the teeth slowly moving over time. Although the time frame during which they move is very slow and often goes unnoticed in our daily routines, over 6 months is a normal orthodontic treatment schedule, with substantial tooth movement also being possible, including altering palate depth and width.

Orthodontics has been long associated with teenagers and young adults, but this is not necessarily so. It addresses the case of medical reasoning as to when orthodontics are appropriate; all age groups can have aligners as long as you have a full set of adult teeth. That said, as long as NHS funding continues to be related to the age of the patient, it seems likely that a substantial amount of orthodontic patients will continue to be teenagers and if orthodontic work is required, it is only reasonable to to pursue it whilst you fit into the NHS age category that is funded.

Pre-treatment

Before pursuing any form of treatment using braces, a dentist or orthodontist will carry out a thorough investigation into the severity of the misalignment that could involve taking dentalĀ  moulds, but more often will involve a series of X-rays and an oral examination. In some more modern contexts, an oral 3D scanner will be used to make a record of the patient’s teeth, relating to the starting position, allowing the dentist to explore a 3D model and plan an appropriate treatment schedule.

There will also be a thorough check-up to ensure that there are no cavities or weaknesses in the teeth or root structures, or issues like thinning enamel. As any structural weakness of the teeth would make the use of a brace unwise, treating weaker teeth would be necessary before any form of orthodontics, in order to reduce the chances of them being broken or cracked.

brace wires

Common types of orthodontic tools

Each design of braces has to weigh up the practical and everyday use, as well as subtlety in accordance with the need to be clinically effective. It does make sense that there are multiple different brace options, since not everybody requires the same level of intervention in order to correct whatever orthodontic issues they might have and it is important to always use the minimum quantity of intervention.

The standard traditional metal brace has the widest potential application, suitable for rearranging all teeth and making minor adjustments to palate width. Clear aligners are only suitable for correcting misalignment of the front teeth, which would be considered minor or cosmetic. A whole range of braces including ceramic and lingual designs exist in the intermediary between these two extremes.

Which is the most appropriate orthodontic tool will be heavily dependent on the patient’s situation and require a thorough investigation by a dental practitioner. It is often the case that there is a better or superior option rather than a standard brace, so talk to your dental team about your options.

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