The main stages of treatment with braces: changes - month by month

If you are reading this article, it means that you are interested in improving your bite and are considering braces.

This shows that you have the determination to achieve a healthy, charming smile.

Here we have collected the questions that people most often write to us in messages.

I hope this changes your life for the better, just like it has changed the lives of thousands of other people.

Can adults get braces to correct their bite?

Anyone can correct a malocclusion, regardless of age. But in an adult, this process takes longer than in children, because skeletal growth has already stopped and hard bones are more difficult to form.

In addition, some oral health conditions may delay the installation of braces. For example, caries, periodontal disease, endocrine diseases.

Sometimes the effect of treatment is influenced by the presence of crowns and bridges. The treatment period starts from 1.5 years.

The third stage is eliminating current dental problems

Treatment with braces is a long process, during which it is difficult to carry out treatment due to the presence of a fixed structure in the patient’s mouth. Before installation, the dental system is sanitized. It is necessary to cure existing caries, pulpitis, periodontitis and other possible diseases. Sometimes it is necessary to treat even those teeth whose condition is satisfactory at the moment.

In some cases, removal of certain dental units is required. The decision about extraction is made by the orthodontist. This is a last resort method. The doctor tries to preserve and minimally injure the patient’s natural teeth. Sometimes patients have their teeth removed in advance and come for bite correction. Doctors strongly do not recommend doing this, otherwise treatment may be complicated by a rash act.

If sanitation of the oral cavity is performed in advance, it is enough to present a certificate to the orthodontist. Before fixing the bracket system, professional oral hygiene is carried out: tartar, soft and hard deposits are removed, teeth are ground and polished. Subsequent self-care with braces will differ from caring for natural teeth. The orthodontist will tell you in detail what means and how to care for the oral cavity with braces.

Does teeth straightening hurt?

The installation of braces itself is painless, but requires patience because it takes about an hour.

For 7-10 days, teeth may hurt when biting. The body must get used to foreign objects. In general, you live your old life, you just notice pleasant changes in yourself.

Control visits are needed to correct the process and form the correct position of the teeth. Usually after changing the arch the pain goes away within 3-7 days. It all depends on individual sensitivity.

For some, wearing braces is only unpleasant, for others, on the contrary, it is painful, and some do not feel anything.

Who should not get braces?

Installation of braces has contraindications:

• Absolute – it is not possible to eliminate them: complete absence of teeth (edentia) or the absence of a large number of them;
• changes in the bone tissue of the jaw, leading to its fragility - osteoporosis and osteochondropathy;
• severe diseases of the blood, cardiovascular, endocrine (diabetes mellitus) systems;
• oncological diseases;
• tuberculosis, AIDS;
• mental illness.

After treatment of these diseases, braces can be installed.

Do braces make it difficult to eat?

Once installed, you will need to learn how to eat in them. This period takes on average 3-7 days.

At this time, give preference to soft and liquid foods. Cut fruits and vegetables into small pieces. Avoid fibrous and sticky foods.

Over time, you will be able to eat almost everything except Coca-Cola (can dissolve glue), hard foods (nuts, crackers, chocolate) and sticky sweets (chocolate, cookies or caramel bars). You should also not chew gum.

How long does it take to install?

The structures are installed only on healthy teeth. Therefore, before starting orthodontic treatment, you need to undergo dental treatment. This will help reduce the risk of developing gum and dental disease while wearing it. Caries that appeared during treatment may cause dismantling of the structure. This means that treatment will have to start again. The duration of the procedure depends on the degree of the anomaly, the doctor’s experience, and the characteristics of the dental system. The time does not depend on whether braces are placed on adults or children. Non-ligature structures are easier to install. Therefore they are installed faster.

Installation steps:

• therapeutic treatment;
• professional cleaning;
• The orthodontist processes and dries the enamel;
• Glue is applied separately to each tooth and a lock is fixed to it;
• fixing the arch with clasps or ligatures;
• design correction.

Once the system is installed, it starts working immediately. That is, the teeth begin to gradually shift. The first result can be seen after 3-4 weeks. After the initial displacement, the arc pressure weakens. Therefore, you need to regularly visit the orthodontist for regular arch correction. The doctor monitors the creation of constant pressure. This is the key to effective correction of the bite and dentition. You can ask the orthodontists at our clinic at your appointment for how long braces are worn. You can sign up through the website or by phone.

How often should inspections be carried out?

Every 1-2 months, it all depends on the defect and the individual structure of the patient’s teeth. During the visit, the orthodontist checks the success of the treatment and sets a vector for the arch, which determines the movement of teeth in the right direction.

Missing follow-up visits may negate the effect of previous treatment. You are also required to visit a hygienist every six months.

Braces, whether external or internal, need to be worn for an average of 1.5 years. But determining more precise timing depends on the initial situation and age of the patient. Sometimes it takes 2 years to eliminate a defect.

Which braces are better to choose?

Currently, several types of systems are produced. You can choose the most suitable model for adults, teenagers and even children. The orthodontist and the patient decide which braces to install. Prices for individual types also vary: from inexpensive to VIP models. All models are divided according to the type of design, method of attachment to the teeth and material of manufacture.

By type of design

Based on this feature, there are two types of models:

• Ligature (classical) braces. In these models, the locks do not have caps, and the arch is fixed using special fasteners - ligatures. The advantage of these models is their ease of manufacture and inexpensive price. Disadvantages - difficulties during installation: the doctor must clearly calculate the force of the arch on the dentition and, at certain intervals, increase or decrease it, depending on how the treatment process is going. To achieve this, the patient must visit the orthodontist frequently. The treatment period may increase due to difficulties in calculating the force of impact on the dentition. Design features also make it difficult to maintain oral hygiene. The price, depending on the material of manufacture, is 30 - 45 thousand rubles.
• Non-ligating (self-ligating) braces. These designs have caps on the locks that secure the arc. The system has a gentler effect on the dentition and does not require constant correction by the orthodontist. Price from 25 – 30 thousand rubles. There are two types of non-ligature braces: active – the caps covering the locks have an active effect on the arch, increasing its strength in the desired direction;
• passive - lock covers do not affect the arc; this is a more modern type of braces; They are easy to install and there is no need to calculate the force on the arc.

Ligature and non-ligature braces

One of the most effective non-ligature passive models is the unique Damon System brace system, introduced into practice in 2000. This is a completely self-regulating, reliable system that acts gently and effectively, and does not require frequent monitoring by the orthodontist. Metal models are available (Damon Q - 80,000 rubles) and aesthetic, more expensive ones, made of transparent polycrystalline aluminum (Damon Clear - 90,000 rubles). Oral hygiene is easier with the Damon system than with other systems.

According to the method of attachment to teeth

The bracket system can be attached to the teeth in the following ways:

• The vestibular method is the most common; the clasps are attached to the front surface of the dental crowns. The system is reliable, time-tested, but its disadvantage is that it is not always aesthetically pleasing. This type of fastening is used mainly in the treatment of adolescents. The price of braces is from 10,000 to 60,000 rubles. depending on the material used.
• Lingual method - clasps are installed on the inner surface of the crowns facing the oral cavity. In such cases, braces are outwardly invisible, which is why they are preferred by adults. Disadvantages: These are more expensive models and after installation, speech problems may occur for some time. The price of lingual braces is from 100,000 rubles.

Vestibular and lingual braces

According to the material of manufacture

Bracket systems can be made from different materials:

1. metal - the most common; made of titanium and some alloys with hypoallergenic properties; advantages: reliability of fastening, ensuring minimal duration of treatment and relatively low cost; cons – not very aesthetically pleasing, used mainly as braces for children and teenagers; price from 25,000 rubles;
2. ceramic – locks are made of white hypoallergenic ceramics; the shade can be matched to the color of the patient’s teeth; advantages - almost invisible in the mouth; cons - less reliable and more expensive than metal ones; these braces are preferred by adults; price from 50,000 rubles;
3. plastic – the locks are made of hypoallergenic plastic; advantages - lightweight, inexpensive designs; disadvantages - they break easily, are stained with food coloring and fail; most often used in pediatric orthodontics; price from 10,000 rubles;
4. sapphire – made from transparent artificial sapphires; advantages - no less reliable than metal ones, have an aesthetic appearance; cons – high cost, from 60,000 rubles;
5. combined - ceramic clasps are installed on the front teeth, metal clasps are installed on the side teeth; this reduces cost and improves reliability.

Types of braces by material

What to do if the bracket comes off?

In itself, this happens quite rarely, only in cases of severe crowding of teeth, since the arch puts a lot of pressure on the dentition and the lock falls off. Another option is if the patient is a nut or other solid food lover.

If you find a broken bracket, contact your orthodontist immediately. Otherwise, the teeth will begin to gradually move to their original position. Also remove elastic bands if you wear them.

The doctor sees patients with unstuck braces out of turn. It takes about 5 minutes to glue a new lock.

It also happens that the archwire flies out of the bracket grooves. You can try to get it back yourself. However, this should be done extremely carefully, without damaging the adjacent locks.

Fifth stage - activation process

After fixing the bracket system, activation occurs. The procedure is carried out according to the prescribed treatment plan. It is necessary to visit the doctor regularly at scheduled times. At a scheduled appointment, the orthodontist assesses the condition of the structure, tightens the arch, and replaces clasps and ligatures that have failed.

Initial activation will not straighten the dentition. The teeth move slowly, so the equipment needs to be adjusted each time. The activation process does not take much time. It is important not to violate the recommended deadlines.

Installing braces is a safe and painless procedure. The patient may experience discomfort from sitting in the dentist's chair for long periods of time. To prevent dry lips, use a moisturizer. During the process, pressure may be felt on the teeth, but not pain. In general, the procedure is comfortable and has virtually no resemblance to dental treatment.

How to brush your teeth with braces?

This is where a traditional toothbrush and toothpaste don't serve their purpose. Therefore, you will need to buy a special orthodontic brush, brushes and floss from the pharmacy. You can also use an oral irrigator if you wish.

This way you can effectively clean your teeth and the area around the locks. Teeth should be thoroughly brushed after each meal, because food debris is deposited on braces, which contributes to the development of caries and does not look aesthetically pleasing. We have repeatedly encountered patients whose teeth are more well-groomed than those of a person without braces.

When is it necessary to install braces?

A bracket system is an orthodontic device consisting of a bracket plate with a recess for an arch. The main tasks of the orthodontist are to make the physiological closure of the jaws, return the units to anatomical positions, and give the smile a natural and beautiful appearance.

Standard system includes:

• Bracket. A plate fixed to the coronal part of the unit with specialized material.
• Wings or castle. A recess is formed for the passage of the orthodontic arch.
• Arc. A horseshoe-shaped wire made of an alloy of various metals, along which the teeth are directed.
• Ligatures. Rubber bands or wire connecting the braces and the arch.

The purpose of this treatment is to straighten teeth and correct jaw abnormalities. An improvement in the bite can be noted after 6-8 months.

Indications for therapy with braces:

• malocclusion;
• violation of the symmetry of facial features;
• large gaps between units;
• lack of space in the dentition;
• injuries of the maxillofacial area or TMJ disease (pain, crunching when chewing or closing the jaws);

Restrictions on the use of equipment:

• many non-removable orthopedic structures;
• in women, pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• blood diseases;
• lung pathologies;
• immunodeficiency states;
• inflammatory diseases of the extremities (rickets, arthrosis, arthritis);
• cancer.

Which braces are best for different age categories? Teenagers and adults are fixed with equipment of different models. It is important to choose systems with the attending physician, taking into account age, the anomaly itself, etc.

Are braces the last stage of orthodontic treatment?

After removing braces, you need to consolidate the effect of straightening your teeth. For this purpose, retainers are made that will protect teeth from returning to their original place.

There are two types of retainers:

• Removable – transparent, plastic mouth guards. Used only at night or during a certain period.
• Non-removable - made of metal. They are installed on the back surface of the teeth using special composite materials.

The decision on the best method is made by the orthodontist. The aligners must be worn at all times during the first month, removed only for eating and brushing your teeth. On average they are worn for 2 years.

While wearing retention devices, you must visit a doctor every 3-6 months.

Nutrition while wearing braces

Until you have adjusted to braces, you need soft or liquid foods. Introduce new foods into your diet gradually. During the adjustment period, exclude the following foods.

• Solid products
  . First you need to grind them in a blender. Lollipops, crackers and nuts should also be removed from the diet for a while.
• Food that is too cold or hot
  . During the period of adaptation, the sensitivity of teeth and gums increases and discomfort and pain may appear.

The menu should consist of foods that do not need to be thoroughly chewed:

• fermented milk drinks (kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk);
• boiled cereals (semolina, buckwheat, wheat, oatmeal);
• meat in the form of pate;
• puree soups;
• jelly and curd mass:
• bananas, watermelons, apricots, plums and persimmons.

After adaptation, the list of foods on the menu will expand, but dentists still recommend excluding the following from the diet.

• Everything sticky
  - nougat, chewing gum, toffee, caramel and anything that stretches. These products get stuck in the design parts and become food for bacteria.
• Starch
  - baked goods, cereals and corn sticks - also, when stuck in braces, causes the growth of harmful microorganisms.
• Coloring drinks and food
  - black tea, colored soda, coffee, beets, wine. This is especially important if ceramic or sapphire structures are installed - they are easier to paint than others.

Can you continue to live with crooked teeth?

Crooked teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay and periodontal disease. If teeth grow incorrectly, their surfaces become excessively worn down when eating, which worsens the malocclusion. Therefore, sometimes it leads to serious diseases of the temporomandibular joints.

In addition, if you suffer from frequent headaches, chondrosis, or have tinnitus, it is better to check your bite.

How long to wear elastic bands

Rubber bands are elastic bands. This is a small but very important detail. They are used at any stage of treatment. The principle of their influence is similar to an arc. They help guide the movement of the dentition or individual units. They are usually placed in the first six months of treatment. But it is not always the case. Elastics are used in the presence of impacted teeth. Rubber bands help the tooth quickly take its place in the row. In a distal bite, rubber bands pull the jaws closer to each other. The orthodontist decides whether to install traction bars or not. This is as important a tool as braces.

Braces hurt the oral cavity, what should I do?

After installing braces, each patient receives wax for locks from the orthodontist. At the very beginning, it is worth applying it to the entire system, because the mucous membrane in the oral cavity is not yet accustomed to contact with foreign objects.

Abrasions and wounds heal very quickly. Their healing can be accelerated by using agents that promote the healing of wounds in the oral cavity.

Types of bracket systems

Before installing braces, it is important to understand which plates, taking into account their properties, are best to choose. Designs are distinguished according to certain criteria:

Material:

• metal;
• ceramics;
• sapphire;
• plastic;
• combination of materials.

Arc fixation method:

• ligatures;
• non-ligated.

Fixation:

• straight;
• indirect.

Tooth surface for installation:

• vestibular (visible when smiling);
• lingual (from the side of the tongue).

Can a doctor change treatment technology or strategy in the middle of treatment?

Maybe. if he sees that he cannot cope with the orthodontic technique he is currently using. It is optimal that all possible options are discussed between the orthodontist and the patient before treatment begins, as well as the possibility of tooth extraction. If your orthodontist says that he will begin treatment without extraction, but in the process a tactic with extraction may be chosen, then this is normal. But if the doctor announces treatment without extraction, and already during the course of treatment it becomes necessary to remove two teeth, then this is an unpleasant situation, extremely rare for a professional. In our clinical practice, this happened only 2-3 times among 2000 patients.

Sometimes there are controversial situations. For example, if the patient insisted on using the lingual technique despite other recommendations of the orthodontist, but after 1.5-2 years the desired result was not achieved, then it is better to install external braces and complete the treatment with them. Our clinic’s position is to find a compromise – if it is necessary to change technology, the patient does not suffer, including financially.

#1 Braces provoke the development of caries

This statement is false. Tooth decay can occur not because of braces, but because of bacteria. They can multiply in pieces of food that are stuck in the teeth. On the one hand, the design of braces can help retain pieces of food, but it all depends on proper brushing of the teeth.

If you brush your teeth responsibly and use additional special tools, you can achieve complete removal of food. And if there are no stuck pieces, then bacteria have nowhere to multiply and caries does not threaten.

Drink more water

The more water you drink during the day, the better it is for your teeth. Braces dry out the oral mucosa, causing discomfort and problems with the enamel. Water, as well as juicy fruits and vegetables, increases salivation and helps avoid caries. Of course, you shouldn’t get carried away, because everyone has their own body characteristics. For some, 1-2 liters of water a day is enough, but for others, 5 liters will not be enough. Listen to your body, it will definitely tell you when it’s time to stop.

Second month of treatment: correction of gross anomalies

The first changes become noticeable in the photo by the end of the second month. The orthodontic arch, after installation, repeated the shape of the abnormal bite, over time began to return to the originally specified state, corresponding to the correct bite. At the same time, under the force of her traction, the teeth also began to move in the right direction.

The first positive results are so impressive that some patients are ready to remove their braces at this stage. Of course, this is impossible. Orthodontic treatment initiates the natural biomechanical process of bone removal and growth, interrupting which will force the teeth to return to their original position.

#3 Can take a long time

This is true. Depending on the defects, you will have to wear braces from six months to three years. But even after the specified period, everything does not end. After removing the braces, you will need to install retainers, which will have to be worn for the same amount of time. Retainers are installed to prevent teeth from returning to their previous position.

If you decide to install braces, you will have to come to terms with the idea that it will last a long time. Think positively and be patient, because the result will be worth it.

Minimum and maximum wearing periods

The time required to correct defects of varying severity also differs. Simple anomalies include diastema, trema, and crowding of teeth, which is caused by impaired development of the jaw. In such cases and if there is a gap due to missing teeth, the treatment period is 12 months. Two years or more - this is how long it takes to correct a distal bite, cross-row arrangement, open bite, or complex crowding.

There are cases when orthodontic treatment lasts more than 3 years. As a rule, such patients also require surgical treatment. Sometimes teeth need to be removed before braces can be installed. Indications for removal: abnormal jaw development, presence of supernumerary teeth. Extraction will free up space for movement. With the development of inflammatory processes in the mouth, allergies to components of the system and improper hygiene, the system may be removed ahead of schedule. After treatment and elimination of contraindications, braces are placed again.

Braces care

Both during the adjustment period and after, it is very important to properly care for your braces. Not only the comfort of their use, but also the final result of treatment depends on this. Be sure to brush your teeth several times a day, especially after each meal. In this case, a classic toothbrush will be ineffective; it is necessary to purchase special devices for treating braces.

Orthodontic brushes have a special groove in the bristles in the shape of a tick. Short hairs clean the staples, and long hairs clean the enamel surface around them. A mono-tuft brush can also be useful; it makes cleaning hard-to-reach areas much easier. Brush cleaners can also help with this; they come in different sizes and hardness. They perfectly clean small particles of food from under small structural parts, preventing the accumulation of dangerous bacteria.

The most effective tool for cleaning the mouth while wearing braces is an irrigator. Thanks to the strong pressure of the liquid, contaminants easily fall behind the enamel and elements of the braces system. With its help, you can even process areas invisible to the eye, the inside of the row and the metal arc from all sides. You can take dental floss with you on the road, but you need to use it as carefully as possible so as not to damage the structure.