Traditional Braces – Carmel, IN
A Tried-and-True Way to Straighter Teeth
When considering orthodontics, traditional braces are likely the first thing you picture. There’s a good reason for that – this treatment is the most popular and effective way to straighten teeth! Even now, after several decades, it continues to fix misaligned grins worldwide. As such, you can trust the braces from Springhetti Dentistry’s resident orthodontist, Dr. Oberley. She and her team will ensure your chompers look straighter than ever. To find out more, just keep reading or contact our office for details.
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
Left alone, teeth naturally shift over time. Their connection with tiny jaw ligaments means they’ll gradually move out of alignment. Should that happen, your smile and bite will turn crooked, looking unseemly and interfering with everyday tasks.
Traditional braces address these effects. By using a combination of brackets and wires, they apply gentle pressure to crooked teeth. The result is that they gradually push your chompers into a more aligned position.
The average braces treatment takes a year or two. Throughout that period, the dentist will adjust the archwire every six to eight weeks. The dental team may also need to add accessories – elastics, retainers, etc. – to assist with tooth movement.
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
As with any dental work, braces treatment starts with a consultation. This visit lets Dr. Oberley learn about your orthodontic issues, general oral health, and more. That way, she can see if you’re a good braces candidate.
The consult will review the problems treatment can solve if you qualify. These include:
Bite Misalignment
It may not seem serious, but bite misalignment causes severe problems. Without treatment, it may result in TMJ dysfunction, teeth grinding, and worse.
That said, braces could solve this obstacle. In putting pressure on teeth, they move jaw muscles into alignment. From there, your bite would be nice and even.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Besides looking bad, crooked teeth also harm your health. Due to rubbing against each other excessively, they wear down your enamel. The result is increased tooth sensitivity and a higher risk of tooth decay and infection.
Still, traditional braces represent a fine solution. They’d gently guide your smile so its teeth don’t overlap or rub excessively.
Gapped Teeth
Gaps between teeth aren’t just an eyesore; they lead to health issues, too. In particular, the spaces act as plaque traps that damage mouth tissues.
Braces, however, can correct tooth gaps. As the brackets and wires move your teeth, the spaces are eventually closed.
Caring for Your Braces
As excellent as they are, braces only work when given care. Therefore, you’ll need to clean and maintain them consistently. To that end, consider the following tips:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene - Brush your teeth twice daily for two full minutes each session. Furthermore, don’t skip flossing; try flossers to make things easier.
- Avoid Risky Foods – Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods could break the archwire or dislodge the brackets.
- See Your Orthodontist Often – Remember to attend your orthodontic adjustment visits. Doing so lets our team assess your braces to ensure everything’s okay.