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An underbite happens when the lower jaw protrudes out beyond the upper jaw, causing the lower teeth to be in front of the upper teeth. People with an underbite may experience difficulty with speaking, chewing, and biting.
An open bite is when the upper and lower teeth do not meet. It can lead to difficulty with speaking, chewing, and other jaw-related issues.
A crossbite is a misalignment of the jaw where one or some upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth when biting down. A crossbite can cause gum irritation and uneven wearing of the teeth.
Gapped teeth occur when there are spaces between the teeth. In addition to being aesthetically unpleasing, gapped teeth can cause difficulty with chewing and speaking.
An overjet is a misalignment of the teeth where the upper teeth protrude out beyond the lower teeth. It can lead to difficulty chewing and speaking and an increased risk of trauma to the front teeth.
Crooked teeth are simply not properly aligned or not straight teeth. It can lead to difficulty with proper cleaning and hygiene and other problems such as TMJ disorder or speech impediments.
A beautiful smile can be a major confidence booster and help you feel attractive and outgoing. Braces help to achieve straight teeth, resulting in an attractive and symmetrical smile. This enhanced appearance helps patients feel confident with their new look.
Braces help shift teeth into their proper positions allowing the jaw to close properly and chew the food efficiently. It ensures the digestion process is effective and efficient, helping patients maintain overall health. A misaligned bite can cause difficulty in chewing, which can lead to digestion problems.
Braces help move teeth into their correct positions and make it easier for patients to maintain good dental hygiene. Misaligned teeth can lead to plaque buildup in areas that are difficult to clean. It increases the risk of tooth decay, cavities, gum diseases, and other oral health problems.
Misaligned teeth can cause problems with the way a person speaks. Braces help shift teeth into their proper positions and ensure correctly pronounced words. It can also help improve articulation, making communication easier for patients.
Misaligned teeth can cause jawbones to weaken, which can lead to deterioration over time. Braces help shift teeth into their correct positions and place even pressure on the jaw bones, preventing bone loss from occurring. It helps patients maintain a healthy jaw structure for longer.
Braces help to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Several braces are available today, including traditional metal, self-ligating, ceramic, and lingual.
A traditional metal brace is a common type of brace. It comprises metal brackets attached to each tooth's front and connected with a metal archwire. Elastics (rubber bands) connect the upper and lower jaws to keep them in place.
Traditional metal braces are popular braces in Singapore. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment choose conventional metal braces as their treatment option as they are less expensive than other braces and require fewer visits to the orthodontist.
Self-ligating braces are metal braces that use specialized clips to hold the archwire in place, eliminating the need for elastics. These clips slide along the archwire as teeth move into their correct positions, reducing friction and discomfort while making treatment faster and efficient. Self-ligating braces also reduce treatment time as they require fewer orthodontic visits.
Self-ligating braces differ from other braces because they require fewer orthodontic visits and do not require elastics to hold the archwires in place. They also provide a streamlined look than other types of braces. In addition, self-ligating braces are often comfortable than traditional metal braces as they reduce friction between the archwire and the brackets.
Ceramic braces are a type of braces that use tooth-coloured or clear brackets and archwires to create a discreet look. Ceramic braces are made from either ceramic or a combination of ceramic and metal materials and can be used to correct alignment issues.
Ceramic braces differ from other braces as they are less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They also feature tooth-coloured or ceramic brackets and archwires, which makes them harder to see. In addition, ceramic braces are comfortable than traditional braces as the material is smooth and gentle on the gums.
Lingual braces are an orthodontic treatment placed behind the teeth, making them virtually invisible to others. Lingual braces use brackets and wires like traditional braces, placed on the back side of the teeth instead of the front.
Lingual braces differ from other braces in that they are completely hidden from view when the patient smiles. They also require accurate placement than traditional metal braces, as the brackets must be placed accurately behind each tooth. In addition, lingual braces may require additional time and expertise to install, making them pricey than other braces. Furthermore, lingual braces may be uncomfortable than traditional braces as the brackets and wires are placed directly on the back of the teeth.
The orthodontist will take a detailed clinical history and perform a comprehensive examination during the initial consultations. Your orthodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth, mouth and jaws. They will use x-rays and other diagnostic tools to determine whether braces are necessary. The orthodontist also may take pictures of your face and teeth to show you how they look from different angles. The goals of this appointment are to educate the patient on their orthodontic treatment options, discuss potential risks and benefits associated with each option, and provide an estimate of the braces' cost.
After the initial consultation, the orthodontist will develop a treatment plan for your needs. The treatment plan will outline the steps and timeline necessary to achieve the desired outcome. It may involve one or additional types of braces, such as lingual, traditional metal and ceramic braces. Depending on the complexity, it may also involve other interdisciplinary dental treatments such as jaw surgery or tooth extraction. The orthodontist will provide you with an estimated length of treatment and a projected result.
After finalizing the dental braces treatment plan, your orthodontist will attach braces to your teeth. This process usually takes around an hour and may cause some discomfort. The orthodontist can prescribe a topical numbing agent or even administer local anaesthesia if necessary. During the process, brackets are attached to each tooth using special adhesive and then connected with archwires. Some cases may use elastic bands.
Once your braces are attached, it is important to practice good oral hygiene. It includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. You may also need special orthodontic brushes or interdental cleaners to get into hard-to-reach areas between brackets and wires.
Oral care is essential after braces attachment to ensure that the braces are working effectively and that there is no bacteria or plaque buildup, which can cause severe gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing also help to keep your teeth and gums healthy during braces treatment. If you neglect oral hygiene, it could lead to staining or tooth decay on the surface of the teeth. Additionally, inadequate oral care could increase the risk of developing cavities or gum disease during braces treatment. Therefore, practising good oral hygiene while wearing braces is important for ideal results.
Maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile requires regular check-ups and adjustments during braces treatment. These visits help your orthodontist monitor the progress of your teeth and make any necessary changes to help improve your teeth' alignment. During these follow-up visits, the orthodontist will inspect your braces to check for wear or damage and make any adjustments as needed. They may also check the alignment of your teeth to ensure that they are moving in the right direction. These visits help to keep the braces treatment plan on track, so it is important to attend them as scheduled.
After the alignment of teeth to their desired position, your orthodontist will get the braces removed and will provide an orthodontic retainer. Retainers help hold the teeth in place while settling into new positions. It is vital to wear your retainer as your orthodontist prescribes to ensure long-lasting treatment results. Some cases may recommend a permanent retainer if there is an increased risk of relapsing.
