Most people have no idea how certain options work for fixing teeth. If you are in need of braces in St. Augustine FL, you may have worries and wonder about the different components and how they work. The first step is to visit an orthodontist and hear what they think you should do, and then make a decision. However, it can help to learn a few of the terms and know how the treatment works.
Components
Traditional brace-work includes four principal components, including elastics, o-rings, arch wires and brackets. The thin metal portions of the contraption are called the bracket, and they will go each tooth, being attached using a bonding material. The small piece of metal that goes between each bracket is called the arch-wire. This is where the pressure on the teeth comes from, helping them move to the correct position over time. Ligature Elastics, or O-rings, are the elastics used near the back of the mouth and are changed when the metal is tightened. You can choose from many colors, including clear. Elastics are a different option than the O-rings and are used to cure over or under bites.
Treatment
Once they are on the teeth, the pressure from the wire and elastics will cause the teeth to loosen slightly and help them move. You will likely not feel any of the loosening, and it shouldn’t be painful. Because the membranes surrounding the teeth have to constrict and expand accordingly, the process is very slow, or you could lose your teeth. Therefore, braces usually have to be worn for at least one year and up to three, so the process is more gradual. Of course, each person is different and may require more devices to be used.
Many times, headgear is worn at night to keep some teeth in place and only move a few.
After Treatment
After your teeth are straightened, you’ll likely need to wear a retainer, which is typically worn 24 hours a day. Some orthodontists will allow you to remove the retainer at night or for a few hours each day. The retainer’s job is to allow the bone to heal and keep the teeth in their current place. If you don’t wear the retainer properly, your teeth could shift back to their original state.
