The goal of the orthodontic therapy is not only aesthetics, to make crooked teeth straight and to position them properly in relation to the individual facial physiognomy, but properly positioned teeth are of great importance for the health of the entire organism, jaw, muscles, and surrounding dental tissue.
Properly positioned teeth in the jaw and their interrelationship enable even transmission of the force of chewing, which preserves the supporting tissue of the teeth, the teeth themselves from loading, excessive wearing out and deterioration by reducing and eliminating problems in the jaw joint.2
How to Know whether the Fixed appliance is for me?
Indications for the application of the fixed braces are crooked teeth and irregular shape or the ratio of the dental arches, that is, all cases where it is necessary to place all the teeth as finely, accurately and harmoniously in the ideal sequence. They are especially suitable in cases involving the extraction of teeth and the closure of the resulting spaces, as well as in combination with some additional orthodontic appliances.
What does the Fixed Appliance Consist of ?
Basic elements of the fixed appliance are brackets, which are mounted onto the incisors, canines and premolars, bands, which are mounted on molars and an archwire, which connects brackets and bands/tubes. During the course of the treatment, the orthodontist changes the arches by going more progressively towards the thicker and stiffer ones, so that the teeth are positioned more and more properly, and with the help of other elements he moves them to the required place. At the same time, with the help of elastic traction, the jaws are brought into the most correct relationship, which together creates the ideal functional and aesthetic unity. The fixed appliance corrects the teeth by acting together with the other elements that carry all the information in itself regarding the correct position of the teeth in the jaw. The arches for the brackets are tied with the elastic bands in different colours, according to the patient's wishes. There are also so-called self-ligating brackets, which do not contain rubber ligatures, but have a built-in wire fastening system, that is, a system of ligating the arches in the bracket slots, which makes the maintenance of oral hygiene easier.
Either factory bent arches or manually bent arches which are individually tailored to the orthodontic irregularity of the patient may be used to correct the crooked teeth.
Is the Fixed Appliance very Visible?
Brackets can be made of nickel and titanium alloy, acrylate, plastic, ceramic, etc. Metal fixed braces have mechanical properties that are brought to perfection, the effect and reliability are at the highest level, but their disadvantage is the aesthetic effect. In addition to anything in therapy where stronger forces are required for more significant teeth movements, metal fixed appliances are commonly used. Fixed appliances made of aesthetic materials such as acrylate, plastic, ceramics, polycrystalline aluminum oxide, polycarbonate with fiberglass, have good aesthetic effect, but have some mechanical and retentive properties in the shade. The aesthetic brackets with so-called metal slots are often used, which means that their base is white and the part where the wire is placed - metal structure. These brackets withstand the load of activated wire and look nice at the same time.
They are completely contraindicated in patients with poor oral hygiene.
There is no age limit for orthodontic therapy and wearing a fixed appliance. It is equally applicable with children and adult patients.
How does a Fixed appliance Affect my Teeth Health?
However, there must be dental preconditions for setting up a fixed appliance.
The patient must first have good and sustainable oral hygiene habits, because during the course of therapy it must be more frequent and thorough than before.
The teeth should be brushed after each meal, so it is advised to avoid snacking between meals. Oral hygiene is maintained with a regular brush, interdental brush, dental floss and mouthwash.
- Teeth and the supporting tissues of the teeth
The basic precondition for setting up the fixed appliance is that the teeth are healthy or completely cared for / fixed and that the supportive apparatus of the teeth is preserved in order to withstand forces during the therapy, within physiological limits, without damage.
At the beginning of therapy, the gums may respond with mild inflammation, which is calmed by excellent oral hygiene. While wearing the fixed prosthesis, teeth whitening is prohibited by any method.
The ideal time for treatment with the fixed prostheses is after the eruption of the second molars, which is roughly the age of 13. However, if the previous conditions are fulfilled, the fixed apparatus can be worn regardless of the patient's age.
- Nutrition
You should avoid to bite your food. It should be cut into smaller pieces in order to be eaten. Avoid nibbling nuts and seeds, as well as fruit and vegetables with stones (remove them before eating). Chewing gum, caramels, sticky candies, lollipops are forbidden…
- Retention
After the completion of fixed orthodontic therapy, the phase of retention is followed, which is as important as the active phase of therapy. Patients receive retention appliances, fixed or removable, whose task is to keep your teeth and jaw in the new, corrected position.
This is a kind of prolonged, passive orthodontic therapy, equally important in order to achieve lasting stability of the results.
For your free consultation contact the orthodontic office.
