What is a dental brace?
Bracket – the main component of the brace, is attached to the teeth on the lip or tongue side.
Ligature – a flexible element of the brace that holds the wire in the bracket, referred to by patients as a rubber band or ligature. The rubber bands are replaced at each visit and are available in many colors.
Orthodontic wire (archwire) – a component that generates slight force, allowing the teeth to move in a predetermined direction. The wire is replaced several times during the treatment.
The result of orthodontic treatment is an aesthetic, attractive smile with straightened teeth. The ability to smile widely without complexes and concerns about appearance provides comfort and a sense of self-confidence.
A self-ligating fixed appliance
The orthodontic self-ligating appliance in the Damon system has ligature-less brackets. Closing the arch in the bracket slot is done using a special flap, rather than rubber bands called ligatures.
The fundamental difference between Damon orthodontic appliances and traditional appliances arises from the structure of the bracket. It has a permanently integrated unique latch, otherwise called a flap, which helps keep the tensioning wire in the bracket. This way, the presence of ligatures or rubber bands is eliminated.
This solution allows for faster and more comfortable tooth movement, minimizing the friction, which is often a reported side effect in traditional methods. Friction typically occurs during tooth movements along the arch of a fixed appliance using traditional ligated appliances. Therefore, if we want to reduce discomfort and ensure greater treatment comfort, we should consider choosing a self-ligating appliance like Damon.
An esteemed advantage of Damon brackets is the enhanced aesthetics and ease of maintaining daily oral hygiene. Food residues that accumulate in the corners of a traditional appliance pose a challenge in maintaining proper cleanliness, contributing to plaque and tartar formation. Damon brackets reduce this issue, and the absence of flexible rubber bands (ligatures) prevents food dyes from penetrating their structure.
The brackets in such an appliance are transparent or off-white in color. They are made of sapphire crystals or composite. They are attached to the teeth on the labial side, and their visibility is minimal, making them an alternative to metal braces. Only the metal arch connecting or other additional elements like chains remain visible.
You can learn more on our orthodontics-dedicated website at ortodonta.lodz.pl .
Stages of orthodontic treatment
01
Treatment Planning
It is crucial in achieving the best results. Your orthodontist needs to assess the bite issue, analyze the positions of the teeth, and select the best appliance.
For this purpose, X-ray imaging is necessary: both panoramic and cephalometric. Additionally, the orthodontist will perform a 3Shape scan of the upper and lower teeth to prepare digital diagnostic models. Models, along with the images, are essential for planning orthodontic treatment.
It’s important for the teeth to be treated and for any tartar or deposits to be removed before starting the treatment. Sometimes, orthodontic treatment may require tooth extraction.
From the treatment plan, you’ll learn how long it will take and what the costs will be, including the costs of fitting the braces, follow-up visits, brace removal, and the creation of a retainer, which is necessary after the treatment is completed. After planning the treatment and obtaining the patient’s consent, the braces are applied.
02
Brace Application
At this stage, choosing a fixed brace is necessary. At Meritum’s clinic, we recommend treatment with a self-ligating orthodontic appliance (e.g., Damon). We offer both metal and aesthetic braces. The differences between the braces stem from the type of material used to construct the bracket, affecting their visibility on the teeth. The choice of the brace also influences the duration of the treatment, the frequency of follow-up visits, and wearing comfort.
Typically, orthodontic treatment requires applying a fixed brace to both dental arches.
The application of the brace is painless. It is a completely safe and comfortable process, lasting about an hour. It may happen that after the brace is applied, the teeth may become slightly sensitive, and some discomfort may occur for a few days. However, this is not always the case, as it depends on individual sensitivity. Irritation of the oral mucous membranes of the cheeks, lips, or tongue may also occur due to the presence of the brace brackets. This is noticeable in the form of abrasions and sores. The solution is a special dental wax that should be applied to the irritating orthodontic brackets. These discomforts usually subside in the first few weeks of treatment. After the brace is applied, your orthodontist will provide you with guidelines regarding further oral hygiene and the recommended diet while wearing the fixed brace.
03
Follow-Up Visits
The essence of follow-up visits lies primarily in their regularity. During such visits, the orthodontist adjusts the wire pressure on the teeth and activates other components of the appliance, such as springs, traction hooks, or chains. This way, they assess the progress in the treatment.
Follow-up visits for traditional metal and aesthetic braces, as well as lingual braces, occur once a month. In the case of self-ligating braces, follow-up visits are scheduled every six to seven weeks. For this reason, we recommend treatment with self-ligating braces.
04
Brace Removal
When achieving the correct bite relationship and the desired alignment of teeth, the orthodontist qualifies the patient for brace removal. This procedure involves taking off the brackets and removing any remaining orthodontic adhesive from the teeth. Subsequently, the teeth are scanned to create the upper removable retainer, and a lower retainer, in the form of a thin wire on the tongue side of the teeth, is placed. The entire procedure takes about an hour.
It is recommended to have a dental check-up after the braces are removed for a dental examination and preventive measures such as applying a fluoride preparation to the teeth.
05
Retention - Maintaining the Results
The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is often underestimated by patients. However, the long-term maintenance of treatment results depends on this phase. The regularity and discipline of the patient in using the retainer appliances are extremely important. The duration of retention treatment primarily depends on the type and severity of the bite issue, the treatment method used, as well as the patient’s age and genetic factors. Statistically, this period lasts about two years. In the initial phase of retention, the retainer is worn every night. Later on, the frequency decreases, and patients wear it every few days. A lower wire retainer may remain for a lifetime.
It’s important to understand that the retainer, has a crucial task: it protects the properly aligned teeth from relapsing into misalignment. This happens because after removing the braces, the periodontium, the tissue that holds the teeth in the bone, takes on an irregular arrangement. Over time, usually taking up to about 12 months, it fully matures and can maintain the correct alignment of the teeth. Therefore, regular use of retainer appliances is crucial in maintaining the achieved orthodontic treatment results.
During this time, regular check-up visits to your orthodontist are necessary, typically every six months, unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.
The fixed orthodontic appliance is attached to the surface of the teeth throughout the entire duration of orthodontic treatment. This type of appliance is primarily intended for adolescents and adults.
Smile! Orthodontist in Łódź - a prescription for a new smile
Treatment at our clinic will deliver the expected results and improve the patient's quality of life. Therefore, an orthodontist in Łódź is an excellent solution on the path to a new smile.
If you struggle daily with a bite issue, firstly, you are not alone, and secondly, we have an effective solution for you. Bite issues are currently present in over 60% of the population. Despite such a significant number, only a few seek help from an orthodontist. It's worth remembering that untreated bite problems can have very serious consequences for the entire body. That's why our clinic offers modern orthodontic treatment, which will help you get rid of any complexes and boost your self-esteem. You can start treating bite issues at any point in your life, but it's not worth postponing it. Arrange your first visit now.
Are straight teeth only a matter of aesthetics?
Not at all! Straight teeth and a healthy bite are preventative measures in oral health. Properly aligned teeth make it easier to maintain hygiene and result in fewer cavities. Teeth that are correctly aligned are easier for dentists to examine and treat. Consequently, the teeth will be healthier and more attractive. In the event of losing a tooth in the future, planning a highly aesthetic prosthetic work like a crown on an implant becomes easier. And as we know, prevention is worth it. In this case, orthodontic treatment is the most effective measure. Choosing an orthodontist in Łódź gives you the opportunity to have an innovative orthodontic appliance. The orthodontic appliances in our offering guarantee effective treatment and maintaining proper chewing function. Orthodontics in Łódź has a wide selection of orthodontic appliances, ensuring an effective match for the specific issue patients present with.
Orthodontist in Łódź is not that scary
- There is no need to fear orthodontic treatment. Just take a look at the benefits of a healthy smile:
- A beautiful smile boosts self-confidence
- Enhanced well-being
- Easier tackling of life's challenges
- Prevention of serious illnesses
- No complications in daily meal consumption
If you're interested, explore the available options at our clinic and schedule a visit!