Becoming Used To Dental Braces

By Adriana Noton

Sometimes we are left wondering why we have so many teeth when they do not all fit properly in the mouth. Teeth can overlap, protrude, or be out of alignment to the point that the entire bite is off. All of these problems as well as others can be addressed and fixed with the application of dental braces.

An orthodontist is the dentist that specializes in this problem. Whether your teeth are protruding, overlapping each other, or causing you to have a bite that is off, these specialists know how to handle the problem. In some extreme cases even surgery on the jaw has to be performed. Most dentists will want to wait until the full set of second teeth are in.

Admittedly, getting use to having this apparatus in your mouth will take some getting used to. It's not as if you have had time to prepare what all this metal will feel like inside your mouth. One day everything feels like normal and the next your mouth is full of metal. Try and accept the feeling because in time you will adjust to it.

Children also fear any teasing they may have to endure. The words' metal mouth' are two of the most dreaded. More and more children are undergoing the procedure now than ever before, so the teasing remarks are becoming much less common.

Most of the braces worn are made up of titanium nickel and stainless steel. A special cement is used to apply small squares to the teeth that a wire will run through. Once a month you will visit the orthodontist for a exam and the wire will be tightened as needed to pull the teeth into proper alignment. The dentist will usually give you some idea how long the braces must be worn. The amount of time varies from individual to individual and the amount of correction that is needed.

There have been a few people allergic to the metal in braces. This is not a serious problem because there are other forms that can be used. Applying an apparatus made from gold plating will be tried next. If metals simply are not for you, you can opt for plastic or ceramic apparatuses. These blend in well with color of teeth and therefore are much less noticeable than the standard ones.

One of the newest appliances for tooth alignment is perfectly clear. This totally transparent material is the least noticeable of all. It even surpasses the plastic and ceramic types. In cases where little adjustment is needed there are the lingual brace. This type is actually glued to the back of the teeth and no one but you knows it is there. Dental braces will be replaced with a retainer. Your orthodontist will inform you of how long it needs to be worn.

The day finally arrives to have the apparatus removed, and you will get a retainer. It may be worn most hours of the day or just at night. The retainer serves the purpose of keeping the teeth from reverting to old positions. As good as an orthodontist may be, not all of the work is done by him. Plenty of responsibility lies on the shoulders of the patient. Certain foods will have to be avoided and dental hygiene is a must. It will do you no good to have dental braces only to lose your teeth to decay from lack of good oral habits.

About the Author:

Dr. Eric Rouah & Associates 5000 Yonge Street, Suite 107, Toronto, ON M2N 7J8 (416) 224-0677 dentist Toronto