TRADITIONAL BRACES

Comfortable & Effective Way To Straighten Your Smile

New, beautiful smiles with health benefits

Why Get Braces?

Metal braces are traditional braces, the most commonly used orthodontic appliances for tooth alignment, as they have been since their conception. However, while we may refer to metal braces as “traditional,” modern technology has made metal braces infinitely more comfortable, discreet and effective compared to braces of the past. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga offers the latest in orthodontic treatment. Like other forms of orthodontic treatment, Braces are designed to align the teeth and resolve orthodontic problems relating to your teeth and jaw alignment. These misalignments called malocclusions, not only impact the cosmetic appearance of your teeth and smile, but they can also have a lasting effect on your dental health. Misalignment of the jaw, open bites and overcrowded teeth can all have an impact on the way your teeth and jaws work together, potentially opening the door for a series of other orthodontic and dental problems over time. Many patients seek out orthodontic treatment for purely cosmetic reasons. Thankfully, these health benefits come with their new, beautiful smiles as an additional attribute many have not considered prior to their orthodontic treatment.

Parts Of Braces

Made of high-grade stainless steel, traditional braces are smaller and more comfortable than ever. Some of the braces we use in our practices even incorporate self-ligating technology, which can make cleaning easier and provide low force, low friction treatment for greater efficiency and potentially shorter treatment durations.

The small, metal squares that rest directly on the surface of each of your teeth are called brackets. These brackets are responsible for holding the archwire in place, giving it a place to attach and put the necessary force on each tooth, adjusting them into their proper alignment.

Each bracket will connect to the archwire, which is a metal band that is responsible for moving the teeth into their new positions. At each visit with your orthodontist, your doctor will adjust, tighten and shape these wires, swapping them out for different sizes and thicknesses to ensure each individual tooth is being moved into its correct position.

Bands are metal rings that fit perfectly around the back teeth, serving as an anchor for the archwire. This supplies the tension necessary for the archwire to exert the force it needs to adjust each individual tooth into its final alignment.

To hold the archwire onto the bracket, your braces will include tiny elastics that prevent the archwire from sliding around the bracket and grinding the metal elements together. These elastics are even customizable, allowing you to choose a variety of colors that show off your personal style!

Depending on your individual treatment plan, your orthodontist may recommend the use of orthodontic rubber bands. These are a common feature in braces treatments intended to realign the jaw and resolve the impact of bite malocclusions. These bands will latch onto the upper and lower braces, and, with regular replacements, will apply a gentle pressure that assists in the alignment process.

Caring For Braces

Maintaining good dental hygiene is important from the time a baby’s first tooth erupts and through their entire life, but healthy habits are perhaps never more essential than they are when you are in the middle of orthodontic treatment. When you have braces, food particles have more places to hide and create harmful bacteria that can develop into plaque and tartar buildup. When left unchecked, this can lead to tooth decay and even gum disease.

Failing to maintain proper dental hygiene during a treatment such as metal or ceramic braces can also lead to cosmetic issues, such as your teeth becoming stained/yellow in the exposed parts of the teeth, while the area covered by brackets and wires remain white.

Thankfully, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga is prepared with all the tips, tricks and healthy habits you need to keep your smile healthy, clean and bright throughout your treatment.

Brushing and Flossing

When brushing and flossing with braces, it’s important to consider the new additional surfaces on your teeth that will require the same attention and care as your teeth and gums. We recommend using electric or soft-bristled toothbrushes to remove plaque buildup throughout the day to dislodge any small food particles that will manage to hide in the tiny ridges of your teeth and braces.

Flossing is another essential part of your dental hygiene routine, especially when you are in the middle of your orthodontic treatment. It may seem like flossing becomes impossible when you have brackets and wires obstructing the teeth. Your orthodontist will provide you with special tools such as floss threaders to help you weave the floss through your braces and keep your smile clean and healthy! You may also choose to use interdental cleaners or water picks to assist with this aspect of your nightly dental care routine.

Brushing With Braces

It is important to practice healthy habits to keep your smile healthy, clean and bright all throughout your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Blair of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga shows proper techniques and tips for brushing your teeth with braces.

Diet and Eating Habits

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may always be important regardless of orthodontic treatment. However, those in the midst of an orthodontic treatment involving braces need to keep certain specific restrictions and habits in mind to ensure their braces maintain their proper function.

Things To Remember…
  • Certain foods and snacks are more likely to cause the buildup of plaque or food particles, and others still might even damage your braces by bending wires, popping off brackets and more.

  • Avoid sticky foods like gum (unless it’s sugar-free) and candy, hard, crunchy foods like popcorn and brittle foods like chips, seeds and nuts.

  • Alternatives to these foods are often available, such as “puff” versions of popcorn without kernels.

  • Even when no alternatives are available, there are ways to prepare some of these foods without risking your braces, such as cutting meat off the bone, removing corn from the cob, or skinning apples and cutting them into slices.

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Creating healthy, beautiful smiles through comprehensive, compassionate care.