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The decision to get braces is not an easy one for most people. This is because a person needs to commit to changing the way they are used to eating and caring for their teeth for the duration of the orthodontic treatment. While these things are a small price to pay for having your teeth straightened perfectly, this is still quite a lot for many people to deal with. Here is some useful information about the orthodontic treatment process, as well as the importance of keeping your brackets on. This will help you have a better understanding of what is involved in this very common procedure that millions of people have performed every year.
How long will my orthodontic treatment last?
The amount of time that people are required to go through orthodontic treatment can vary greatly. It all depends on how crooked your teeth are when the orthodontic treatment begins. Some people may only need to wear braces for one year, while others will be required to wear them for a couple of years. Whatever your particular situation is, it is critical that you keep your braces on for the time recommended by your orthodontist. This is the only way to guarantee that you will get the results you are looking for. Some people experience more discomfort than others during the orthodontic process.
Many people experience pain during their regular appointments to get their brackets tightened. This is normal, but it can bother some people to the point that they might consider having their brackets removed before their orthodontic treatment has been completed. The decision to remove your brackets will be yours. However, removing them early is not a good idea. If the removal is performed before the predetermined end date of your orthodontic treatment, you will be left with teeth that are not as straight as they could be.
What type of people typically receive orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is regularly received by people of all ages. When we think about people getting brackets, we usually think about teenagers. While this is a common age for orthodontic treatment, this is not always the case. Millions of middle-aged people are not happy with the way their teeth look. Rather than stare into the mirror for the rest of their lives at teeth that are less than perfect, these people decide to finally take action and do something about it. Getting orthodontic treatment allows these people to obtain a smile they are proud of. Another reason many people wait until later in life to get orthodontic treatment has to do with their finances. For people who do not have dental insurance, it can be expensive to get their teeth straightened. Therefore, they need to wait until they get a steady job and are established financially before they can schedule orthodontic treatment.
How do brackets work?
If you are going to have brackets installed on your teeth, you should definitely know how they work. The brackets consist of a few different parts that work in concert with one another in an effort to gradually force your teeth into a position that is predetermined by you and your orthodontist. Pressure is applied to your teeth by the brackets. Occasionally, you will need to make an appointment to have the brackets tightened. This will increase the pressure, further forcing the teeth into the proper position. However, tightening appointments are spaced out enough so that the pressure applied to your teeth will be tolerable.
How long will it take for my teeth to be straightened?
This is probably the most common question among people who are strongly considering orthodontic treatment. This is because people want to end their treatment as soon as possible so they can resume their normal lives. The length of your orthodontic treatment will depend a great deal on your gums and how old you are. It will generally take longer to align the teeth of children. This is due primarily to their gums being strong, requiring a larger amount of pressure to be applied for a greater length of time. However, as people age, their gums naturally get weaker. This means that most adults will not need to wait as long for their teeth to be forced into alignment. Most of the time, orthodontic treatment takes one to two years to get you the smile you want.
What are the different orthodontic options?
In the old days, your only option for straightening your teeth was to wear metal brackets. While these are very effective for doing what they are designed to do, many people consider them to be very unsightly. In fact, many people are embarrassed to be in social situations with metal brackets. Fortunately, you now have more options than people did 50 years ago. You can also use brackets that are made of ceramic. These can’t be seen nearly as easily as the metal variety. Finally, you can also decide to use plastic aligners.
Invisalign is considered to be one of the best companies when it comes to producing these plastic aligners. These work differently than metal brackets. A series of aligners are custom made for your teeth. You will periodically change aligners during the treatment process. The aligners will gradually move your teeth into the proper position. These have become popular because they can be easily taken out by the patient.
How will my diet change?
This will depend on the orthodontic treatment option you decide to use. For example, crunchy or chewy foods should not be eaten while wearing braces for obvious reasons. However, if you use plastic aligners, you will not need to change your diet at all. This is because you can take them out while you are eating. This is yet another reason for their sudden surge in popularity over the past several years.
If you would like to learn more information about the various orthodontic options that are available to you, please contact us. Dr. Gluck would be happy to help you get the smile you deserve. Contact his office today for an appointment.
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Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.
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