How to install braces

Few people decide to undergo orthodontic treatment, believing that it is associated with high costs and discomfort. But often people’s fears are unfounded: installing braces is a multi-step, but safe process that goes without complications. We will tell you how orthodontic braces are placed and what stages this procedure includes.

At what age are braces placed?
Indications and contraindications for installing braces
How braces are inserted: stages of orthodontic treatment
How to install braces: diagnosis and treatment plan
How to install braces: sanitation of the oral cavity
Is it possible to put braces on crowns and fillings?
How to install braces
How to install braces: stages of the procedure
Does it hurt to get braces?
Braces activation
How braces are placed on children and adults - is there a difference?
How to care for braces
How are braces removed?

Braces are installed primarily to correct the bite or straighten unevenly growing teeth. According to statistics, about 75% of children have problems with bite. If they are not eliminated in childhood, they will affect the health of teeth and gums in the future. In addition, people with malocclusion and irregularities in the dentition often develop complexes, lower self-esteem and, as a result, have difficulties in building interpersonal relationships.

Today, this problem can be solved in just a few years; you just need to install braces - dental brackets that are fixed to the dentition from the inside and/or outside and gradually straighten the teeth to a normal state. There are many rumors and myths surrounding the topic of orthodontic appliances.

Many people believe that getting braces is dangerous and painful, they cause discomfort, interfere with eating normally, etc. Such ideas are generated by ignorance. We'll tell you how braces are installed and how the preparation for their installation goes.

At what age are braces placed?

Braces are placed on both children and adults. Dentists say that the optimal age for orthodontic treatment with braces is 12-13 years. During this period, the final formation of the bite and the replacement of milk teeth with molars occurs. Pathologies in the structure of the dental system discovered in a teenager are eliminated faster than in adulthood.

In some cases, braces are placed earlier - at 8-11 years. However, if a person has missed this point, he can correct the problem as an adult. Of course, the treatment process will be longer, but no less effective. There is no upper age limit as such: an adult can be prescribed to wear braces as long as he has teeth, and bite correction is justified in terms of indications and contraindications.

Pastes

The treating orthodontist will always tell you which toothpaste to choose for caring for braces. The choice of remedy will depend on the individual characteristics of the condition of the oral cavity.

A specialist may recommend a paste with therapeutic and prophylactic effects or a special orthodontic agent.

Most patients do not change their habits while wearing braces and continue to use their favorite toothpaste. However, in this case it is important to take into account several main requirements:

high-quality cleaning of teeth from bacteria and plaque;
preventing the formation of soft deposits on the tooth surface throughout the day;
protection of teeth from carious processes;
relieving inflammation of gum tissue and preventing its development.

Of course, using a familiar product with all of the above properties is quite acceptable, but if the patient has doubts about the reliable protection of teeth and gums, the choice of paste must be taken with greater responsibility.

Orthodontic appliances always complicate the process of cleaning the oral cavity, and the duration of wear is more than 2 years. Therefore, if you do not pay due attention to hygienic procedures, upon completion of treatment, dental units may be affected by caries, and a healthy smile will remain only in dreams.

The cleaning product for braces should contain substances that prevent the development of caries, as a rule, these are fluoride and calcium compounds.

Such pastes guarantee a high degree of protection against carious processes, have bactericidal properties, destroy pathogenic microorganisms, strengthen the protective layer of teeth and prevent the formation of plaque.

It is important to know! Cleansing all oral tissues using fluoride-containing pastes should not last more than 5 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of breaking the attachment of braces to the surface of the teeth.

Indications and contraindications for installing braces

Braces are placed to eliminate the following dental problems:

malocclusion;
uneven development of the jaws;
anomalies of individual teeth;
deformation of the dentition;
chewing dysfunction;
impacted teeth;
large interdental spaces.

Contraindications to wearing braces can be absolute or relative. Among the first, which completely exclude the possibility of installing an orthodontic structure, are:

absence of most of the teeth;
some oncological pathologies;
blood diseases;
diseases of the endocrine system;
very weak immunity;
pathologies of the skeletal system;
tuberculosis and HIV;
psychiatric disorders.

Relative contraindications are temporary. These include:

periodontal disease;
caries;
wounds in the oral cavity;
metal implants;
poor hygiene.

Braces can be placed only if the listed factors are eliminated. Indications and contraindications are identified during diagnosis - the first stage of installing orthodontic brackets.

Reviews

There are both enthusiastic and negative reviews on the Internet.

Some people used the devices to create a Halloween costume, while others damaged the mucous membranes of their mouth due to improper use.

In the comments to the article, you can share your reviews about fake braces.

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How braces are inserted: stages of orthodontic treatment

The process of installing braces, that is, fixing them on the teeth, lasts about 1.5-2 hours. Preparation takes much more time. In general, treatment includes the following steps:

Diagnostics: obtaining x-rays, on the basis of which braces will be made.
Drawing up an individual treatment plan, advising the patient on preparation for the procedure.
Sanitation of the oral cavity, treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums: caries, inflammatory processes, etc.

Installation of an orthodontic structure, fixing it on the dentition.
Assistance in adaptation: doctor’s recommendations regarding nutrition and care of teeth and braces during the treatment period.

Let's look at these stages in more detail.

Varieties

All braces are divided into two large groups: lingual and vestibular. The first ones are as inconspicuous as possible, as they are attached to the inside of the dentition. Their existence will be known only to the patient himself and his treating doctor. The second option is attached to the front of the jaw, so when speaking, such brackets are more noticeable.

Orthodontic structures also differ in their operating principle. Non-ligature models are more modern; they reduce the number of visits to the dental clinic and speed up the process of correcting pathologies. Due to the absence of ligatures (rubber bands or rings for fixing the arc), friction between individual structural elements is reduced, so treatment is quick and more comfortable. Caring for these braces is much easier.

Classic, ligature brace systems require constant monitoring by a specialist. The orthodontist must adjust the tension of the metal arch, due to which the teeth gradually move into the desired position. In general, treatment is longer.

How to install braces: diagnosis and treatment plan

Diagnostics allows you to identify contraindications, assess the condition of teeth and gums, take pictures and develop a further treatment plan. After the diagnostic examination, approximately a week passes, during which the doctor analyzes the material and draws up a plan for installing orthodontic structures. There may be several such plans and they differ in the method of fixing the braces or their type. The patient has the right to choose one of the proposed treatment options. Then the next stage begins - preparing the oral cavity for installation of the structure. Its duration is determined by the condition of the teeth and gums.

Stage two - treatment plan

When all the necessary information from various studies has been collected, the doctor needs time to process it. Data analysis, calculations and drawing up a treatment plan takes up to a week. The doctor can offer the patient several treatment methods that are suitable in a particular case and recommend the best option.

The choice of treatment plan rests with the patient. A qualified specialist will explain the difference and give a professional opinion, but the final decision is up to the patient. After agreeing on the treatment plan, an important stage begins - choosing a brace system. The modern market of orthodontic structures offers a variety of options in terms of materials, type of fastenings, and cost. The orthodontist will recommend the optimal solution based on the client’s wishes. You can request an example of a treatment plan from our clinic before starting treatment.

How to install braces: sanitation of the oral cavity

After installing braces, the procedure for brushing your teeth becomes noticeably more complicated and the risk of developing caries increases. To reduce it to a minimum, you need to eliminate all carious cavities. The main task of the dentist is to identify hidden foci of pathology that are located in the interdental spaces.

It is also necessary to eliminate inflammatory processes if they were detected during diagnosis. In other words, it is necessary to cure those pathologies that may become more complicated after installing braces. In addition, at the preparatory stage, ultrasonic cleaning is carried out, during which plaque and tartar are removed.

Some patients are worried that they will have to remove some teeth: “eights”, impacted ones, etc. Extraction is indicated in the following cases:

crowded teeth;
teeth that are too large (free-standing);
presence of extra teeth;
severe asymmetry of the jaws;
decaying teeth that are useless to treat.

As a rule, if removal is necessary, it is wisdom teeth, which often erupt with complications: they grow to the sides, remain partially or completely in the gums and subsequently cause malocclusion.

Who should get braces?

Installation of a brace system is recommended in the following cases:

For malocclusion - the correct closure of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws in children, adolescents and adults. Such violations occur very often, but in most cases they are invisible to the person himself and others. Severe malocclusions not only prevent a person from chewing food, but also cause speech disorders and an unattractive appearance.
In case of an anomaly in the position of individual teeth: deviation of them outward or inward from the dentition, high or low position, gaps between the central incisors, rotation of the teeth around an axis, crowding in the dentition. All these anomalies are easily eliminated with braces.
In the presence of unerupted (impacted) teeth. Most often these are the upper canines, lower wisdom teeth and small molars. Retention is associated with a lack of space in the dentition due to premature removal of baby teeth or improper development of the jaw. Installing a braces system allows you to expand the interdental spaces and allow impacted teeth to take their place in the dentition.
If necessary, corpus movement of the teeth - simultaneous displacement of the crown and root to one side.
If it is necessary to improve the appearance of the face, profile correction.
In the process of preparing for prosthetics or dental implantation to expand the interdental space (in case of bone tissue atrophy due to long-term absence of a tooth).

Which doctor puts braces?

The installation of the braces system is carried out by an orthodontist. The tasks of this specialist include identifying and eliminating anomalies of the dental system and preventing complications associated with them. Such complications include disorders of chewing, speech, changes in facial configuration and other cosmetic defects. Malocclusion and other dental anomalies make oral hygiene difficult: due to the inability to remove plaque in hard-to-reach places, the risk of developing caries and periodontal disease increases. The work of the chewing and facial muscles of the maxillofacial area, the temporomandibular joints is disrupted, and the teeth become mobile.

Dental anomalies are mainly a congenital pathology, so the orthodontist more often has to deal with children and adolescents. But in recent years, the percentage of adult patients turning to an orthodontist has increased significantly.

An orthodontist corrects dental anomalies using removable and non-removable devices. The most famous and widely used fixed device in orthodontics is braces.

When is the best time to get braces for children?

If parents see that the child has a clearly broken bite or has some other dental anomalies, then the first visit to the orthodontist should be at the age of 3-4 years, when the baby teeth have completely erupted. But it is too early to put on braces at this age: they are heavy for baby teeth, so they will interfere with blood circulation in the dentofacial area and slow down the eruption of permanent teeth. The risk of enamel changes due to its insufficient mineralization in young children also increases. For such children, the doctor prescribes wearing special plates.

The optimal age for installing braces on teeth is 12 – 14 years. Usually by this age all permanent teeth, including molars, have erupted. At the same time, the dental system continues to develop and is easily corrected.

It is best to get braces for children between the ages of 12 and 14.

Is it possible to get braces if you have fillings or crowns?

Such problems usually occur in adult patients, since teeth decay in children and adolescents much less frequently. If you have a properly treated and filled tooth, installing a brace system is not contraindicated.

If you have artificial crowns, the issue of installing braces will be decided individually. It all depends on the material from which the crown is made: how firmly the glued structure will adhere to it.

Is it possible to get braces after dental implantation? They don't usually do that. If any correction of the dentition is required, it is carried out first and only after that is implantation possible. But sometimes the implant is a support on which a ring securing the system is installed.

Is it possible to put braces on crowns and fillings?

Adults, even if they take excellent care of their teeth, have had caries at least once in their lives, so there are almost no patients without fillings or crowns. Their presence is not a direct contraindication to the installation of braces. Modern compounds from which fillings are made form a monolithic structure with dental tissues, so they do not fall out or collapse. They are replaced only if they were installed long ago or incorrectly.

As for crowns, they may require the installation of metal braces, which provide a more reliable and durable fixation. Thanks to this, the crown will be protected from external influences.

Is there an alternative to braces?

According to most experts, braces are the most effective device for eliminating dental anomalies. But minor violations can be corrected using other devices:

plates - can be either removable or non-removable; are an alternative to braces for children; used mainly for bite correction; They are rarely installed in adults and only for minor pathologies;
mouth guards for teeth straightening (aligners) – can be used not only after braces, but also independently; this is a good alternative to braces, but only for minor dentition problems; They are installed mainly in adults due to the high price.

Retainers cannot be an alternative to braces, as they fix teeth in one position, preventing them from moving. The most reliable and effective device for correcting dental anomalies is a brace system installed by an experienced orthodontist.

How to install braces

Braces are installed in two ways: direct and indirect. The essence of the first method is as follows: the clasps of the structure are glued onto each tooth crown using special dental cement and glue. Next, an arc is threaded through them. After fixing the braces, any remaining adhesive is removed.

When using the indirect technique, a plaster model of the patient's jaws is prepared. The dentist places locks on it, and then transfers the finished structure into the patient’s oral cavity. The entire mechanism is glued to the teeth in one go. This method can significantly reduce the procedure time - up to 30-40 minutes. This is about an hour faster than direct installation. Since the patient has to sit with the jaw expander in his mouth all this time, the difference is quite noticeable.

Installation procedure

How are braces attached? To begin with, the orthodontist installs a special expander in the patient’s mouth, which will provide access to all teeth in the jaw and will prevent salivary fluid from entering the tooth enamel. After this, he begins to gradually treat all units with a composition containing a large amount of fluorine and other useful additives.

After this, orthodontic locks and rings are attached, and the brackets are fixed. Here the orthodontist works with the help of an assistant who applies an adhesive composition to the teeth. Next, the brackets themselves are installed. At the same time, for the convenience of the master, all elements are numbered. This process is painless and does not require the use of anesthetics. Duration of work – no more than 2 hours.

After installing the last bracket, the orthodontist carefully trims the remains of the arch along the edges and bends its ends, this is necessary in order to avoid accidental injury to the mucous membrane, lips and tongue. Some cases involve the installation of additional rubber bands or rods, which increase the arc pressure and enhance the overall effect of the system.

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How to install braces: stages of the procedure

Braces can be vestibular and lingual. The former are attached to the outside of the teeth, the latter - from the inside. Regardless of what structures are installed, the procedure is carried out according to the following algorithm:

the patient’s lips are lubricated with cosmetic Vaseline, after which a dilator is inserted into the mouth;
saliva is removed from the oral cavity using a special tube;
Glue is applied to the teeth, and medical cement is applied to the clasps that are attached to the enamel;
Under the influence of an ultraviolet lamp, the cement and glue harden, as a result of which the clasps adhere to the tooth surface.

If the installation is direct, an arc is threaded through the clasps. Indirect fixation involves transferring the finished structure into the patient’s mouth. The arc has a memory effect. Gradually, she returns to the shape that was given to her during the preparation of braces and straightens her teeth.

Metal braces: reviews

Metal braces are the most common and most reliable type of braces. Typically, they are made of stainless steel, gold-plated steel or titanium (the latter used for allergies to nickel, which is part of the steel). Metal braces typically have the smallest sizes of all types of braces, but keep in mind that sizes vary slightly between manufacturers.

Metal braces are slightly less expensive when compared to sapphire and ceramic braces, but they are significantly less expensive than lingual braces. Metal ligature braces are especially accessible - their price will be on average 1.5 times lower than non-ligature braces. However, there are exceptions here, for example, for non-ligature braces “Forestadent Quick” (Germany) - the price for 2 jaws starts from 125,000 rubles, which is quite consistent with the cost of ligature braces.

Ligature and self-ligating braces (made of metal) –

The only disadvantage of metal braces is that they are clearly visible on the teeth. But you can personalize them and make them colorful by using colorful rubber ligatures. And for the most fashionable ones, it is possible to install braces in the shape of hearts, flowers, soccer balls or stars. See Table 2 for all the advantages and disadvantages of metal braces.

Does it hurt to get braces?

Pain during the procedure can only occur if the enamel and teeth are sensitive. If necessary, the doctor will give an anesthetic injection. Once braces are in place, a person may experience discomfort, especially when chewing food. Usually he feels pressure on his jaw, but, as a rule, there is no severe pain that needs to be relieved with medication. Adaptation to braces occurs within 5-15 days, depending on the condition of the teeth.

Wax

As soon as the patient has joined the ranks of braces, the arsenal of tools and devices for caring for the apparatus and teeth should be expanded. For the first time after installation, you cannot do without special wax for braces.

At the initial stage of treatment, braces often cause discomfort and pain. Elements of the system rub lips and the inner surface of the cheeks. In many cases, this leads to the formation of ulcerative lesions in the mouth.

To prevent these unpleasant moments, experts recommend using a special wax for application to the orthodontic apparatus.

It provides reliable protection of soft tissues from injury. A small piece of the product is glued to the area of the system that causes damage to soft tissues.

During the adaptation period, you cannot do without wax plates for braces. Structural elements very often do not get along with the tissues of the oral cavity, which causes irritation and pain.

If discomfort does not disappear within 5 days of regular use, you should seek advice from your treating orthodontist.

Braces activation

Immediately after installation, the braces are activated and begin to correct the bite and irregularities. Gradually, the pressure of the arc will weaken due to the displacement of the teeth. Periodically you need to visit the orthodontist in order to tighten the structure and increase the tension. This will continue for 1-3 years until the dental problem is completely eliminated.

How to care for braces

To reduce the likelihood of developing dental diseases, the patient will have to carefully monitor their diet and oral hygiene. In particular, it is necessary to avoid hard and sticky foods, foods with dyes and smoking. If possible, you should limit your consumption of sweets. For oral care you should purchase:

a brush with V-shaped bristles (CURAPROX Ortho);
brush (Curaprox CPS 10, Biorepair Scovolini Interdentali Cilindrici);
dental floss (Mirafloss implant chx);
rinse aid with antibacterial properties (Biorepair Mouthwash).

It is advisable to use toothpastes without abrasive substances and periodically (2-3 times a week) clean the oral cavity with an irrigator. To do this, purchase devices that are suitable for caring for orthodontic structures: Little Doctor International Ltd Aquajet LD-A7, Donfeel Donfeel OR-820D Compact, Revyline RL100, Donfeel Donfeel OR-888, Panasonic EW-1411, Revyline RL 200XL, etc.

Flosses

Typically, orthodontists rarely recommend flossing while wearing braces. The classic version of dental floss is the thinnest oblong object with a rounded cross-section.

To care for the system, you will need a different type of dental floss, which has an ultra-thin thickness and a strong end. It is quite easy to place such a tip under the arches of the device or narrow spaces between the teeth.

Superflosses are very popular among braces wearers. At one end such a thread is narrow and thin, and at the other it is wide. The narrow end easily gets into hard-to-reach places, and the wide end cleans the surface efficiently.

Orthodontists recommend using floss at the last stage of the hygiene procedure. Cleaning the interdental spaces and elements of the bracket system must be carried out at least 3 times a day.

Review of popular toothpastes for braces, their composition and principle of action.

Read here what you need to do if your teeth move apart after braces.

At this address https://orto-info.ru/sistemyi-vyiravnivaniya-zubov/breketyi/pochemu-otkleilsya-i-chto-delat.html we will explain what needs to be done if the bracket comes off.

How are braces removed?

Dismantling of the structure is carried out in the dentist’s office and is carried out in several stages:

using a special tool, the locks are unfastened;
the arc exerting pressure is disconnected from the locks;
each lock is removed using tweezers;
Solvent removes remaining glue from the enamel.

To consolidate the results of treatment, the patient wears a plate for 2-3 weeks to straighten the teeth and protect them from stress. Immediately after removing braces, ultrasonic cleaning or whitening can be performed.

Stage 1 – consultation with an orthodontist

Although, strictly speaking, the first stage is an orthopantomogram. An orthomantomogram is a panoramic image of the entire jaw, allowing the doctor to assess the condition of the dentition, see problem teeth, places where there is not enough bone tissue. Understand whether preliminary sanitation, tooth extraction, etc. is necessary.

The validity period of an orthopantomogram is approximately six months. To avoid wasting time, do it right away.

You have come for a consultation, where the doctor, after an examination, will tell you about possible treatment options. He will estimate the cost of treatment, tell you about hygiene rules, etc. In general, you will receive all the information about the upcoming treatment.

As a rule, after a consultation, the patient thinks about what he heard and then makes a decision.