Braces – much more than aesthetics
For decades, fixed braces have been the gold standard in solving the problem of improper tooth position, jaw relationship, and correct bite. They not only enable a harmonious and beautiful smile, but also improve the function of the entire oral cavity. By using fixed appliances, optimal distribution of biting and chewing forces is achieved, which prevents serious consequences for bone and periodontal tissues.
Improperly arranged teeth are not only an aesthetic problem - they can cause significant functional and morphological complications that can threaten the health of the teeth and surrounding structures. Why fixed braces are important, not only for aesthetics, but also for overall oral health, read below.
(I)proper distribution of forces
An adult man has 32, or 28 teeth if he does not have wisdom teeth, and each of them has a certain morphological shape as well as the length and strength of the root and crown, which are capable of withstanding a certain force created during chewing and biting. Each cusps, fissure and cutting edge is naturally in a certain position and in contact with the tooth next to it as well as the one from the opposite jaw, and all together harmoniously bear the pressure and distribute it so that the supporting appliance does not suffer.
If one tooth is missing, and especially more than one, the remaining force is transferred to the neighboring teeth, which have to bear their own pressure, as well as the pressure of the missing tooth. This leads to tearing of the gingival and later periodontal fibers, which leads to periodontal disease. Teeth that do not have support from the adjacent tooth tend to shift, or lean into the empty space, and this is another way in which periodontal disease occurs.
Difficult hygiene and the appearance of caries
Rotated teeth, anxiety or any irregular arrangement of teeth is an ideal place for the accumulation of food residues and bacteria, considering that these are places that are difficult to access for cleaning and maintenance. It is very important to maintain these areas in detail, to the greatest extent possible, with the obligatory use of floss and interdental brushes, and the setting of braces and straightening the teeth in a proper row is a permanent solution, which will bring the teeth into a harmonious arrangement, enabling detailed and adequate maintenance of oral hygiene, as well as a proper balance of forces.
Excessive load on the jaw joint
The temporomandibular joint can easily become damaged if there is no or inadequate contact between the teeth. This is especially true in a crossbite, where the teeth on one side do not meet properly or there is no contact at all. The forces acting on the muscles put strain on the joint, which carries the forces on both sides, which can lead to serious consequences and inflammation of the joint membrane.
What does the brace consist of?
The elements of a fixed brace depend on its type and the specifics of the therapy. The basic parts of fixed braces are brackets, arches, elastics and tubes. Brackets can be classic or self-ligating. With self-ligating brackets, there is a special groove in which the bow is tied, which is why rubber bands are not needed. This type of brace adjusts itself and continuously exerts the necessary force, making therapy more efficient and simpler.
In classic locks, the bow is additionally attached to the lock using rubber bands, enabling precise force direction. Self-ligating fixed braces are often ideal for patients who want a shorter duration of treatment or do not live in an area where their orthodontist is available.
What does the braces setting look like?
The first condition for the setting is that the teeth are free of plaque and calculus. The day before the intervention, the dentist will perform a detailed tooth cleaning, sandblasting and polishing. Another condition that must be met is that the teeth are healthy, i.e. without caries. When you come for an examination and consultation, the orthodontist will go through a detailed therapy plan together with you and explain all the therapeutic solutions, but also indicate whether some teeth need to be repaired or treated.
On the day of the setting, you should eat before the intervention, in order to reduce the secretion of saliva as much as possible and thus make it easier for the orthodontist to set the appliance. The installation of braces takes about 45 minutes to an hour - brackets are applied to the clean and dry surface of the teeth, which are tied with arches, and in some subsequent visits, according to the orthodontist's assessment, tubes and rings can be placed on the side teeth, in order to bring the relationship between the two jaws into the correct position.
For the examination, you need an orthopan image (a large image of the teeth) and, upon the orthodontist's instructions, a profile image of the head.
FAQ
Who can wear fixed braces?
Fixed braces are placed after approximately 18 years of age, when the roots of the teeth are fully formed and their growth is complete. After the age of 18, there is no age limit, and orthodontic therapy will be effective at any time, but due to the unfavorable forces acting, as well as the accumulation of plaque around teeth that are irregularly distributed, it is better to start the therapy as soon as possible.
Why do I have to wear two braces?
Patients often wonder why they need to wear two braces if the irregularity is only in one jaw. However, when the teeth of one jaw are displaced, their relationship with the teeth of the opposite jaw is disrupted. In order to avoid the improper transfer of forces from the beginning of the story, it is very important that the teeth are brought into proper contact with the second prosthesis as well. With one prosthesis, the teeth are leveled (straightened), and with two, they are brought into proper contact with the opposite teeth.
Can the teeth return to their original position?
All teeth have a tendency to move naturally, only the adjacent teeth, but also the teeth from the adjacent jaw, hold them in place and prevent excessive changes. The teeth are not fused with the bone - they are attached to the supporting apparatus of the tooth by periodontal fibers, so when a tooth is lost, or if the tooth is not in the correct position, it moves. Even after orthodontic therapy, the teeth will tend to move and that is why it is very important to wear a foil overnight that fixes the teeth in the position in which they were brought with braces.
Is there a difference in the effectiveness of metal and aesthetic braces?
No. Both braces have the same functionality and efficiency, the only difference is in aesthetics and visibility. In the case of braces with aesthetic brackets, you should be very careful with the use of diseased drinks, coffee and tea, because they are easily discolored by pigments from these drinks.
Fixed braces hygiene
You should pay much more attention to the maintenance of fixed braces than to the hygiene of teeth that do not have braces. Braces, bows and rubber bands are an ideal place for deposits and food residues, which are responsible for the occurrence of caries. In your regular hygiene, in addition to a regular brush, which should be soft, thick and flat so as not to hurt the gums, you should also introduce interdental brushes, since it is not possible to use floss due to the arches. Interdental brushes should be chosen carefully - in consultation with your dentist or orthodontist, you will receive brushes of the recommended size and instructions on how to use them. And the basic brush can be special for orthodontics - brushes that have a recess for braces are ideal, because they ensure the most detailed hygiene of braces.
You can also include the so-called "single brush" in hygiene. It's a brush that has a very small head and short fibers that can "get into" all inaccessible places around locks, bows and elastics.
Your orthodontist will advise you on whether you need a mouthwash and in what concentration, and it is up to you to come for regular check-ups, which is also an excellent opportunity to re-motivate yourself about oral hygiene, especially in the middle or near the end of therapy, when motivation can wane, and patients become less and less concerned about impeccable braces hygiene.
Fixed braces prices
The affordable and accessible prices, not only for orthodontic but also for other dental services of the clinics we cooperate with, are the reason why a large number of patients have trusted us for years. All prices for braces in the Balkans range from 1000-1500 KM for braces with metal brackets, and slightly higher for braces with clear brackets.