Advantages of Adult Orthodontics

While many people think orthodontic treatment such as braces is mainly for children, it can help your health at any age.

Crooked teeth are harder to clean and the wear will be uneven. This can lead to inflamed gums and toothache which may even lead to you losing teeth.

Orthodontic treatment can therefore help prevent gum problems and tooth loss.

Another health benefit of having your teeth working effectively is that chewing is an important part of digestion. When you are not able to chew food properly, the rest of the digestive system has to work harder.

An important benefit of orthodontic treatment is therefore that in can help solve and prevent digestion problems.

Orthodontic treatment in adults is similar to teenage treatment although it normally takes a bit longer.

The healing process takes a bit longer as you get older so the orthodontist will need to move your teeth more slowly for example.

The Process of Getting Braces

If your doctor or orthodontist believes you need braces, they will start by examining your teeth visually.

They will then set up an appointment to take X-rays and make molds and impressions so that they have a clear record of how your mouth currently looks.

These records will help them establish the problem and what course of action to take.

A short time before you receive the braces, spacers are added into your mouth to make sure there is enough space for the bands.

An adhesive will be applied to the teeth to help the cement bond to the surface of the tooth.

In most cases the teeth will be banded and then brackets will be added.

The bracket will be applied with dental cement and light may be used and to help harden it. This may takes a few seconds for each tooth.

Molar bands may be needed to ensure the brackets stay in place.

Bands may also be needed if previous dental treatment such as fillings cause problems with attaching the bracket.

Once the brackets have been added, an archwire is threaded between them. This is fixed in place by ligatures, which may be elastic or metal.

Archwires are tightened frequently to help deliver the results required.

Brackets and or hooks may be added to the archwire for affixing the elastic.

Braces often use nickel-titanium archwires and temperature-sensitive materials. The archwire is flexible when cold and, when it is heated to body temperature, it stiffens and tries to retain its shape so this creates constant light pressure on the teeth.

There are now many different types of braces and the exact procedure may vary depending on the specific option you choose.

The Future of Orthodontics and Braces

While steps have been taken to straighten teeth for hundreds of years, the biggest steps forward have come in the last few years.

Dentists had known for many years that removable plastic appliances could move teeth.

Some even made simple plastic “aligner trays” for minor adjustments.

But a major step forward was the invention of Invisalign.

This was the brainchild of Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, graduate students in Stanford University’s MBA program.

Wirth had traditional braces in high school and Chishti had adult treatment with traditional braces and now wore a clear plastic retainer.

Chishti noticed that if he didn’t wear his retainer for a few days, his teeth shifted slightly – but that the plastic retainer soon moved his teeth back to the desired position.

In 1997, using 3-D computer imaging graphics, they created the Invisalign method.

The dental profession – perhaps understandably – was initially skeptical because of their lack of professional dental training.

But, when Invisalign braces became available to the public in 2000, they proved extremely popular with patients.

Technology continues to push forward the science of orthodontics and techniques such as digital computer imaging are being used to make orthodontic treatment more precise.

For example, one system takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth to help the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement.

As companies develop more precise, high-tech materials and methods, orthodontic treatment will become easier, faster and more comfortable.

The Introduction of Self-ligating Brackets for Braces

A significant development in the field of orthodontics was the introduction of self-ligating brackets.

These don’t need tie wires or elastic ligatures to hold the arch wire onto the bracket of the braces.

Instead, they are held on by a “trap door” built into each bracket.

The idea of self-ligating brackets dates back to the 1930s but, while many designs were patented over the years, it was not until the 1070s that a system was widely available.

During the 1980s and 1990s, many companies improved upon the idea in various ways and there is now a range of self-ligating options.

Another significant development in the 1970s was the Ortho-Tain appliances, which guide jaw growth and help correct orthodontic problems and malocclusions.

They look just like custom plastic mouthguards, and are worn mainly at night, or for only a few hours each day. Nevertheless, they still help address many types of orthodontic problems.

Around 1975, two orthodontists working independently developed systems which placed braces on the inside surfaces of the teeth.

These “lingual braces” offered people the benefits of bonded brackets with the big advantage that they were on the inside of the teeth.

This meant nobody else could see them and they became known as “invisible braces”

The Development of Braces and The First Metal Mouths

In the early 20th century, a wide variety of materials was used in orthodontics.

The materials used by orthodontists ranged from gold, platinum and silver to gum rubber, vulcanite, ivory and wood.

18 carat gold was routinely used for wires, bands, clasps, ligatures, and spurs.

Gold was used because it was easy to shape.

However, among the drawbacks of gold was that its softness meant it required frequent adjustments.

And, of course, it was very expensive.

However, the original “metal mouth” was often real gold or silver.

Around the time the first dental specialty board – the American Board of Orthodontics – was set up in 1929, stainless steel was becoming widely available.

However using it in braces was controversial and it was not generally accepted as a material for orthodontic treatment until the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Braces continued to wrap around the teeth until the mid 1970s, when direct bonding became a reality.

Although the bonded bracket was invented earlier, the adhesive wasn’t perfected until almost a decade later.

Like any new approach, it took some time to catch on and many people continued wearing the old “wrap around” metal braces into the late 1970s.

The Development of Orthodontics

Though various devices have been used to straighten teeth since the days of the Ancients Greeks and Romans, it was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that orthodontics began to develop as separate science.

There is no one person who is universally seen as “The Father of Orthodontics” but several have a claim to the title.

One claim goes as far back as, 1728 when the French surgeon Pierre Fauchard published his book “The Surgeon Dentist”, which included a whole chapter on ways to straighten teeth.

This certainly gave orthodontics a huge push forward – although that term was actually coined in 1841 by Joachim Lafoulon.

But the science was not really put on the map until more than 100 years later.

First, dentist and writer Norman W. Kingsley wrote the first article on orthodontics in 1858 and published his book “Treatise on Oral Deformities” in 1880.

Another major step forward was when dentist J. N. Farrar wrote “A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Corrections”.

Farrar was also very good at designing brace appliances and was the first to suggest using mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.

In the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised a classification system for malocclusions which is still used today.

This system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth were and how they fitted together.

Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances and founded the first college of orthodontics in 1901.

Gradually the field of orthodontics became a respected dental specialty in its own right.

The Early History of Braces

You may think the desire for straight teeth is a feature of our modern image-conscious society.

But there is evidence going back hundreds of years of devices being used to straighten teeth.

Archaeologists have discovered mummified remains where there were crude metal bands wrapped around individual teeth.

And Roman tombs also revealed evidence of teeth being bound with gold wire.

Around 500BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle both talked about how to straighten teeth and fix various dental conditions.

Nevertheless, it was much later that significant progress was made in orthodontics.

In 1728, French Dentist Pierre Fauchard published a book called the “The Surgeon Dentist” with an entire chapter on ways to straighten teeth.

Scottish surgeon John Hunter wrote “The Natural History of the Human Teeth” in 1771, which described dental anatomy in clear detail and came up with terms in use today such as cuspids, incisors and molars.

While teeth straightening has been practiced since early times, orthodontics did not exist as a separate science until the mid-1800s.

The introduction of the wire crib in 1819 is seen as marking the birth of contemporary orthodontics although the term orthodontia was actually coined by Joachim Lafoulon in 1841.

In the late 1800s, Eugene Solomon Talbot was believed to be the first person to suggest using X-rays for orthodontic diagnosis.

But the real advancements in orthodontics came in the late 19th and 20th Centuries.

Why Adults Wear Braces

Orthodontic treatment and braces are not just for kids.

It’s not only children who want a better smile.

Most adults get orthodontic treatment because they know that your smile is one of your most important features.

As you get older you want to keep a smile that makes you look good rather than haggard.

The fact is that many people did not get braces when they were young.

That may be because their parents could not afford it at the time or that their teeth could not be fixed with the techniques then available.

Now they may have problems with their teeth and gums or perhaps they get indigestion a lot or maybe they are just unhappy with their smile.

Now they have the money and the treatment they need is available so they are going to take advantage.

There are also many people who did have orthodontic treatment when they were younger but did not get the full benefits as they stopped wearing their retainers.

Even after wearing braces, their teeth may still be crooked.

Now up to a quarter of orthodontic treatment is on adult patients.

Orthodontic treatment goes slower when you are older, and it feels different.

But people as old as 90 are getting braces.

It’s never too late to take care of yourself and have a great smile.

The Health Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontists are specially-trained dentists who can fix problem with bad bite, crooked teeth and misaligned jaws.

One of the main benefits orthodontic treatment is cosmetic – you get a great smile that makes you look and feel better.

But there are real health benefits of orthodontic treatment too:

You will be able to chew your food easier: Chewing is an important part of digestion. Having crooked teeth means you don’t chew your food properly and could end up with indigestion and other stomach problems.

You will have fewer dental problems: As crooked teeth are hard to clean, you could have more cavities and gum disease than people who have had orthodontic treatment. When your teeth are crooked there is extra stress on your teeth, gums and jaw which can lead to problems later on.

You have less risk of breathing problems: The roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose leading to breathing problems and snoring. Orthodontic treatment can reduce this possibility.

Some recent research suggests a link between oral bacteria and cardiovascular disease, where calcium in your mouth is dissolved and deposited in your arteries.

Orthodontics helps prevent oral infections which may have a direct effect on heart disease.

Orthodontics not only gives you a great smile, it can lead to a healthier, happier and longer life.

How Braces Enhance Your Smile

Take a look in the mirror and smile. Do you like what you see?

Your smile is one of the things people notice most about you so it’s one of your most important features.

Would you feel better if you had a more appealing smile?

Well it may be possible.

Orthodontic treatment can improve your smile.

But more than that it can improve your health too.

One of the most common treatments used in orthodontics is braces.

If you are a parent, braces can be one of your best investments in your children’s future.

It’s a great way of improving their lifetime health and happiness.

Research shows that people who have had braces look better and feel better about themselves.

They even live longer and have a statistically lower risk of heart disease.

But braces are not only for kids.

Around 20% of orthodontic patients are over 18 and people in their 60s, 70s 80s and even older have had successful orthodontic treatment.

It could make a big difference to your life at any age.

Think about how a better smile could improve your life or those of your children.

Different Types Of Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontists use dental braces to help move your teeth into a better position in your mouth so that they look and function better.

There are now many different types of braces available.Here are some of the main types.

Traditional braces are where brackets are chemically bonded to each tooth.

The brackets may be metal or ceramic. Wire is run through the brackets to move the teeth.

Ligatures are then used to keep the wire in place.

Traditional braces are still one of the most recommended options by orthodontist and are very effective in moving teeth.

Self Ligating braces do not use ligatures and they are best known by the brand Damon Braces.

These braces can have a quicker treatment time and require fewer visits to your orthodontist.

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces but the brackets go on the back of the tooth.

These are used when the cosmetic appearance is important.

Invisible braces have become very popular under the Invisalign brand because of their cosmetic benefits.

Patients are given plastic trays called aligners to move the teeth and these are swapped out about every 2 weeks.

The best choice for you will depend on your dental needs and personal preferences.

Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on the best option for you.

Kissing with Braces

A top concern about braces for both adults and teenagers is whether they will still be able to kiss.

The short answer is that it depends on what type of braces you get.

With old fashioned clunky braces, it is sometimes uncomfortable to kiss.

However most orthodontic manufacturers now make smaller braces which make kissing comfortable.

Of course, a lot also depends on your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend.

As two out of three teenagers wear braces at some time, it’s an issue most of them get used to.

While it’s less common for adults, most realize how important orthodontics is, and will support you in improving your smile and your health.

There are a few tips to make kissing easier:

Wait a bit: Wait about a month after getting braces to make sure any initial soreness has gone.

Take it easy: Start off very gently so you can get a feel for what is most comfortable for each of you.

Watch the tongue: Your partner will have to take care to avoid touching your braces with their tongue to avoid getting cut.

Be gentle: Pushing lips too hard together might cut the insides of your lips.

Most important, relax. Don’t worry about getting it right first time.

It may be different but you’ll get used to it and enjoy it.

It will be worth it in the long-run.

Orthodontic Treatment for Adults

Despite what many people think, orthodontic treatment is not only for children.

Orthodontists are specially-trained dentists who bring the teeth, jaw bones and facial profile into proper alignment.

They can therefore give you a better smile and improve your dental health.

It’s never too late to correct problems such as crooked or crowded teeth, bite problems, incorrect jaw position, or jaw-joint disorders.

The biological process involved in moving teeth is the same at any age.

However treatment for adults can take a little longer than for a child.

As an adult’s facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections may not be accomplished with braces alone and sometimes surgery is required.

However, whatever your age, it’s never too late to improve your dental health and make your smile more beautiful.

Visiting an Orthodontist

Orthodontics is a specialist area of dentistry focused on treating problems like crooked teeth and bad bite known as malocclusion.

Orthodontic work gives you a better smile and leads to many health benefits.

The treatment is provided through braces, corrective procedures and other ‘appliances’ to straighten teeth and correct jaw alignment.

While most dentists are trained to treat minor orthodontic problems, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist.

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Orthodontic treatment varies depending on the condition but most people wearing braces do so for between one and three years.

This is followed by a period of wearing a ‘retainer’ that holds teeth in their new positions.

Although a little discomfort is expected during treatment, modern materials apply a constant, gentle force to move teeth.

Today’s braces are therefore more comfortable and effective than ever before.

Why Teenagers Need Braces

The idea of getting braces may at first be daunting to a teenager.

But the benefits definitely make it worthwhile.

It may be hard to believe at first but the long-term benefit is a better smile that makes you look great.

Truth is about 70% of US teenagers need braces so, if you look around your class, probably about two out of three of your friends have braces or will have them soon.

Just take a look in the mirror and decide if you like your smile.

Whatever you think now, your orthodontist will make your smile even better.

Think about how much that will boost your social life.

However, it’s not just about your smile, there are many health benefits of braces:

• You will be able to chew your food better: When teeth are not straight, you can’t chew your food correctly. This can cause an upset stomach.
• You will avoid dental problems: If you do not get orthodontic treatment when you need it, your teeth will be hard to clean and your gums will hurt.
• You may avoid developing a breathing problem: The roof of your mouth can sometimes partially block the air passages in your nose. This causes you to snore loudly and may contribute to a condition called “sleep apnea”.

Therefore braces can make a big difference to your life both now and in the future.

Solving the Problem of Bad Bite

Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a ‘bad bite’.

Bad bite – also called malocclusion – occurs when teeth are crowded or crooked.

Sometimes teeth may appear straight but, because the upper and lower jaws do not meet properly, you can have an uneven bite.

Jaw problems and teeth that are protruding, crowded or irregularly spaced can be inherited or may be caused by factors such as accidents or losing teeth prematurely.

Orthodontic treatment leads to a healthier mouth – and an important additional benefit is that it makes you look better by giving you a better smile.

When teeth are crowded or crooked, it is more difficult to clean the mouth properly.

This can lead on to tooth decay, gum disease and even loss of teeth.

When you have an improper bite, chewing and speaking can be more difficult.

This can cause abnormal wear to tooth enamel and can lead to problems with the jaws.

Orthodontic treatment can therefore lead to improvements in your health as well as making you look and feel better.

When to Take Your Child to the Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed extra study in how to straighten teeth by bringing the teeth, jaw bones and facial profile into proper alignment. 

The best time for a child to visit an orthodontist is between the ages of five and seven.

They are already beginning to get permanent teeth and any problems from overbite and crowding will be noticeable. 

As most growth happens before age 10, it is easier to achieve the desired outcome before that age.

Even in the teenage years, results may be less effective and sometimes teeth may even need to be removed.

Visiting an orthodontist when children are younger can therefore help to ensure any possible problems are dealt with early at minimum cost and inconvenience.

Orthodontic treatment can deliver results at any age but taking action early could save money while giving your child a better smile.

Different types of dental braces

Though many people still picture a "mouthful of metal" when they think of braces, there are now many more options available.

Dental braces work by applying pressure to the teeth so that they move gradually into a new position.

The pressure usually comes from a metal wire attached to tiny brackets placed on each tooth. 

These brackets are what used to create the "metal mouth".

However modern brackets are much smaller and are glued on the front of each tooth. 

Added pressure is applied to the teeth using rubber bands called ligatures.

They can be made to look more attractive using different colors or gimmicks.

In addition to the much-improved traditional braces, there are now many more options:

- Mini Braces: Smaller than traditional braces

- Clear Braces: Porcelain braces with tooth-colored brackets

- Lingual Braces: Placed behind the teeth to be less noticeable

- Removable Braces: Similar to mouth guards and made of clear plastic

Whichever types of braces you choose, they all work in the same way and help you have straighter teeth which leads to better dental health and a great smile.

How braces look good

Braces are orthodontic appliances that can help straighten out crooked and crowded teeth.

As well as making you look better, they can help improve your dental health.

Many people have been put off wearing them because of how they look but modern braces can be very inconspicuous.

One way of making them inconspicuous is by having the brackets - the part that attaches to each tooth - fixed to the back of the tooth.

The brackets can be also be made in many different materials such as metal, ceramic or plastic so they can be more attractive or less visible.

They can also be designed to appear less noticeable - say be being clear or tooth-colored. 

You can also choose to have them in virtually any color. You can even have them gold-plated or glowing in the dark.

Some people like to have their braces shaped in as something distinctive such as a heart or a football.

Myths about orthodontists

Here is the truth on some common myths about orthodontists

Myth – Any dentist can straighten my teeth.
Truth – An orthodontist is a specialist at straightening teeth with two or three years of additional training after dental school.
They usually see hundreds of orthodontic patients a year where some family dentists may see only a handful.

Myth – Only children wear braces
Truth – Around 20% of orthodontic patients are adults

Myth – You only need to see an orthodontist for very complex cases.
Truth – Orthodontists have wide experience and deal with all types of orthodontic issue. However, their wide experience means they know exactly what to do in the most complex cases.

Myth – Seeing an orthodontist is more expensive than going to a general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
Truth – They are usually doing different work. An orthodontist offers value as an expert, highly experienced professional with specific training in this field.

Myth – Braces are painful and take years to work
Fact – Like a new pair of shoes, braces are perfectly comfortable after an initial ‘breaking in’ or adjustment period. Braces can get results after just a few months.

Myth – Braces are ugly and embarrassing in business settings.
Truth – Today braces can be made from clear plastic and can be nearly invisible. They can also be mounted on the back side of the teeth so that they are not visible.