Your questions answered
When it comes to having orthodontic treatment it’s natural to have a few questions. Our team at Orthoclinic will be happy to answer any questions you have at your initial consultation and throughout the duration of your treatment but you may find some answers here for starters.
Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your “ideal” bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.
The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind.
Attached to your braces are elastics (rubber bands) on occasion, which exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day.
A daily fluoride mouth rinse can be used to harden areas that are very difficult to clean. Care must be taken to choose an alcohol-free, pH-balanced rinse. Certain foods and drinks may also lead to damage. You should avoid drinking lots of fizzy drinks and keep in-between-meal snacks to a minimum.
Lingual fixed braces – Lingual braces are mounted behind a patient’s teeth, used for selected cases.
Invisalign – Invisalign is used for selected adult cases and for non-adults who are excellent in managing their oral hygiene.
Removable – Patients can take this type of brace out but it is only used for selected cases.