What are braces and how do they work? Kinds

Not everyone can boast of beautiful and even teeth, which is why, for their alignment, braces have been developed that eliminate the incorrect bite. They quickly gained a lot of popularity, and every year they are more and more improved. Let's try to figure out what braces are, what kinds and ways of installing these structures exist. Their advantages and disadvantages will also be considered.

Design Features

What are braces? In dentistry, this term refers to a non-removable device that is attached to the outer surface of the teeth or internal. With the help of the orthodontic arc, the braces return to the desired position after any folds. As an additional effect on the teeth are also used cheek locks, orthodontic chains, springs, rings.

Kinds

Brackets are classified according to the following principles:

• The fixing point. There are external models, which are attached to the external surface of the teeth, and internal.
• Material of manufacture. The structure can be plastic, polymer, metal or combined.
• The method of connection with the arc is classical (with ligatures) and self-ligating (without ligatures).

Features of the material of manufacture

Metal structures are considered the most reliable and simple. They are characterized by high strength, as well as minimal friction between the grooves and the arc. They are made of titanium, stainless steel and titanium and nickel alloy. The only drawback is that they are noticeably very strong. To give them aesthetic use ligatures of different colors. Children and adolescents prefer figured models in the form of stars, hearts, etc.

Ceramic braces have a more aesthetic appearance, are durable and do not oxidize. The color scheme coincides with the color of the teeth, so they are almost invisible. Among the disadvantages are high friction between the arc and the groove, but despite this, this design is very popular.

Sapphire models are made of artificial sapphire crystals, characterized by high strength. Due to the fact that they are completely transparent, they have an attractive appearance. Such braces are not stained and do not retain plaque. It is much easier to care for them than for a metal structure.

Installation

To install braces, they are attached one by one to each tooth with a special glue. Then they are connected by arcs, which are tied with ligatures. Usually, on the 6th and 7th teeth, locks and orthodontic rings are set. Some designs have a metal hook, to which an elastic pull is attached.

There are models that do not have metal or rubber ligatures and consist of special clips. During their opening, an arc is placed in the groove, which, when closed, is securely held.

Many people are interested in this question: is it painful to put braces? It depends on the individual characteristics of the body. This process is painless in itself, but in the first days unpleasant sensations can arise, as the teeth begin to move to the back position. In this case, it is recommended to use painkillers. If you have severe pain, you should see a doctor.

How do braces work?

Finding out what braces are, it is necessary to understand how they work. Many people think that the teeth are firmly fixed in the jaw. However, they can move as a result of orthodontic treatment under the influence of specially applied forces. If the wall of the denticle is small, but prolonged pressure, it begins to gradually resolve, opening the space for the movement of the tooth.

The large loads that occur during meals are not able to cause molar movement, since this effect is short-lived. Only the braces are able to move the teeth, since they exert a slight pressure for a long time.

Getting used to brackets

To such a product a person should get used, because this foreign construction has a mechanical effect on the bone tissue of the dentition. First they press, they can rub their cheeks, lips, sometimes there is a problem with diction, but this period of adaptation must be experienced. To facilitate the condition, it is recommended to use a special wax. But many easily get used to wearing braces.

Also, adaptation depends on the chosen design. Installation of external braces is easily transferred, and after a few days they forget about it. But the internal design brings much more discomfort.

How much should this design be worn?

If braces were installed, the time of wearing them is determined only by the attending physician-orthodontist. He is guided by such factors as the age of the patient, the degree of curvature of the occlusion, the state of the dentition, the quality of the design.

The length of wearing the product depends on how difficult the case is. To correct a strong curvature bite this design is recommended to wear for 2-3 years, but there are situations when wearing braces stretches for 5 years. However, such cases are extremely rare. The minimum period is 6 months.

Those who installed this design, note the positive effect in 3-4 months. In no case should you take the product off for the night, because the teeth will quickly return to their previous position. During the treatment it is necessary to visit your doctor for preventive examination and consultations. Sometimes it may be necessary to adjust or even replace the braces to change the direction or strengthen the effect on the teeth during alignment.

Removal of the structure

Only the doctor determines when you can remove the braces. To do this, use special forceps, with which the product is compressed and detached from the teeth. This may cause unpleasant sensations. After removing the structure on the teeth remains an adhesive material, which is polished and ground. Do not be afraid - this is a completely harmless procedure.

If a patient has a sapphire or ceramic bracket system installed, the process of removing it becomes much more complicated, since squeezing with forceps leads to its destruction. On the teeth at the same time remain pieces of material and remove them, without damaging the enamel, is quite problematic. Therefore, before installing the structure of these materials, the doctor must warn about such possible consequences.

Cost of brackets

The price of the construction depends on the model and the material used. Invisible internal braces are several times more expensive than external braces . Plastic and metal products are considered cheap, their cost is 50 thousand rubles. Ceramic construction can cost 75 thousand rubles, and sapphire - in 85 thousand. The most expensive are considered lingual systems, the approximate cost of which is 100-150 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

Thus, if there are problems with the bite, the doctor may advise you to install a special design. Many patients in this case have questions: what are braces, and is it painful to wear them? Everything depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the material of the product. But in any case, after using them, the smile becomes beautiful.