As we get older suddenly we realised many things we didn't appreciate about being young - being fit, having smooth skin and having all your own teeth. As our loose teeth (and bridges) struggle to deal with chewier food we start eating bland mush and, there is no easy way to say this, OLD PEOPLE FOOD. I'm determined not to let that happen to me and I'm doing everything I can to keep my own teeth as long as possible, and when that's not possible to get the best possible teeth replacement. If you are like me and want to keep on eating whatever you want, I think you'll like my site. It's all about dental health and teeth replacement & maintenance.
Keeping your teeth young
How to Achieve Excellent and Long-Term Results With Dental Braces
Mabel Hicks
Are you thinking about getting braces to fix dental alignment issues? Braces work by applying gentle pressure to the teeth and gradually shifting them into position. The treatment is effective for minor and severe dental misalignment. However, the outcome depends on various factors within the patient's control. With this in mind, here are three tips to improve the success of your treatment and achieve long-term results.
Replace missing natural teeth
You can use braces even if you have missing teeth. However, the gaps left by missing natural teeth can complicate or lengthen the treatment process. Since teeth usually shift to fill gaps left by missing teeth, your teeth may become misaligned after treatment. Therefore, consider replacing the missing natural teeth with implants or bridges before getting braces. The artificial teeth will occupy the gaps and prevent the natural teeth from shifting out of alignment after treatment. However, note that you don't need to replace your extracted wisdom teeth before getting braces.
Choose the right braces for your condition
There are various types of braces suited to different forms of malocclusion. The most common ones are:
- Traditional metal braces: These braces address minor to severe dental alignment issues. However, the metal brackets are highly visible, which makes them unappealing to adults.
- Ceramic braces: Ceramic braces work as well as metal braces, but they are less invisible, which makes them an excellent choice for adults. However, they cost more than metal braces because the brackets have to be replaced more frequently.
- Lingual braces: Lingual braces are fixed to the back side of the teeth to make them less visible. They can address various alignment issues but aren't suitable for patients with deep overbites.
- Clear aligners: Aligners are transparent devices used to fix minor and moderate misalignment. They are practically invisible, which makes them ideal for adults. However, they are not suitable for treating severe misalignment and deep overbites.
Don't pick braces based only on your budget, as you may end up choosing the wrong ones for your condition. Therefore, assess the severity of the misalignment and select the best braces to straighten your teeth.
Maintain proper oral health
Dental health problems can undermine your orthodontic treatment and slow down the progress. For example, if you lose a tooth due to severe decay or improper care, you may need to replace it, which will lengthen the orthodontic treatment. Therefore, adopt proper oral care habits to protect your natural teeth while wearing braces. If you have an underlying dental condition, such as bruxism, treat it beforehand to prevent the teeth from wearing out or chipping.
Follow the above tips to achieve excellent results with dental braces. An orthodontist can assess your dental alignment issues and recommend the right braces for straight teeth.
Share