When choosing braces, you anticipate successful orthodontic treatment for a perfect smile. But what are the harms of braces behind that aesthetic beauty? Let’s explore the consequences of the bracing process before making the decision to enhance your teeth.
Potential Harms of Braces if Performed Incorrectly
While offering superior orthodontic aesthetic results, braces can still cause negative impacts on tooth and gum health if the procedure is not performed correctly. Below are the harms of braces you might face:
Gingivitis and Gum Infections
When teeth are braced with brackets, these appliances inadvertently become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Furthermore, strong pressure from the wires and brackets can cause gum damage, with symptoms such as gum redness, swelling, and bleeding. This creates an opportunity for bacteria to attack, leading to gingivitis or gum infections. If oral hygiene is not maintained diligently and regular check-ups are skipped, this condition can worsen and affect the jawbone.
Increased Risk of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common harms of braces. The fixed bracket system on the tooth surface makes hygiene challenging, making it difficult to clean teeth in the gaps and around the brackets. If plaque is not thoroughly removed, the risk of tooth decay will increase significantly. This is why dentists emphasize diligent oral hygiene and often recommend using a water flosser to optimize cleaning.
Unwanted Jawbone Structure Changes
The orthodontic process requires strong and continuous force to move teeth. However, if this force is applied incorrectly or without careful supervision from a dentist, it can lead to changes in the jawbone structure. The consequences include affected tooth and jaw stability after treatment, reduced chewing function, an increased risk of relapse (teeth shifting back to their original positions), and other structural bone issues.
Tooth Calcium Loss (Demineralization)
Oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have braces. Poor hygiene will allow plaque to accumulate on the teeth. Bacteria in the plaque will attack the enamel, causing demineralization of the tooth enamel, especially calcium loss. This condition manifests as opaque spots on the teeth (white spots), which are early signs of tooth decay and weaken the tooth structure.
Root Resorption
One of the lesser-noticed harms of braces is the risk of root resorption. In most cases, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment only experience minor root resorption, which does not significantly impact them. However, if oral hygiene is not meticulously maintained, the phenomenon of 1/2 root resorption can certainly occur. In the long term, this will affect oral health, weaken the supporting structure, and increase the risk of early tooth loss.
Ankylosis
Although ankylosis is a rare complication, it remains a potential risk if braces are applied incorrectly. In this condition, an ankylosed tooth cannot move, while neighboring teeth shift, leading to gaps between teeth and affecting both aesthetics and chewing function. Early detection and proper treatment can help prevent this dangerous complication.
Teeth Shifting Back to Their Original Position in Old Age
As people reach middle age or old age, many who have had braces may experience their teeth shifting back to their original positions. Common causes include:
Improper retainer wear: After braces are removed, the elasticity of the periodontal tissues and jawbone is not yet stable. Therefore, if retainers are not worn as instructed, teeth can easily shift back to their original positions over time.
Prolonged bad habits: Habits such as teeth grinding, tongue thrusting, biting hard objects, etc., create pressure on the teeth, making them prone to shifting back, especially as the body ages and supporting tissues weaken.
Periodontal disease, tooth loss: Conditions like tooth decay and periodontitis cause loose teeth, tooth loss, creating gaps in the dental arch, leading to teeth shifting, affecting chewing function and aesthetics.
Allergic Reactions to Braces Appliances
Some people may experience allergic reactions from prolonged contact with components of orthodontic appliances:
Metal brackets and archwires containing nickel can easily cause irritation in individuals with metal allergies, leading to red, itchy gums, and even oral ulcers, which can affect the treatment process.
Latex rubber bands can also cause latex allergies, weakening the tissues around the teeth and increasing the risk of early gum recession or loose teeth.
Weak and Sensitive Teeth After Braces
If proper care is not maintained during the orthodontic process, teeth can easily become weak and sensitive later on:
Root resorption: Improper orthodontic force can cause shortening of tooth roots or mild alveolar bone loss, reducing the tooth’s supporting capacity.
Enamel demineralization: This condition causes teeth to lose their protective enamel layer, leading to weaker, more sensitive teeth.
Failure to adequately treat oral diseases such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and periodontitis during orthodontic treatment can lead to the progression of these conditions, resulting in early tooth loss.
Soft Tissue Damage and Canker Sores
Appliances like brackets and archwires can rub against the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums, leading to soft tissue abrasions and canker sores. These lesions cause pain and irritation, especially during the initial stages of treatment when the body has not yet adapted, causing discomfort when eating or speaking.
Appearance of Black Triangles Between Teeth
After orthodontic treatment, gaps near the gum line between teeth, known as black triangles, may appear. This is often caused by inappropriate force from the appliances or aligners, leading to slight gum recession where the gum tissue cannot regenerate quickly enough to keep pace with tooth movement. Although not a health concern, this condition can detract from a beautiful smile, reduce aesthetic appeal, and make individuals feel self-conscious after braces.
Factors Increasing Orthodontic Complications in Old Age
Although braces are an ideal solution for correcting issues like overbites, underbites, and malocclusions, if performed at a less reputable dental clinic, or if oral hygiene is poor, or retainers are not worn as instructed, complications can easily arise in old age:
Dentist’s technique: An inexperienced dentist may make inaccurate assessments, develop an unsuitable treatment plan, or apply excessive force, leading to consequences such as bone loss, gum recession, joint pain, root resorption, and tooth relapse.
Challenging oral hygiene: Appliances like braces create many nooks and crannies, and if not thoroughly cleaned, they increase the risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, alveolar bone loss, and tooth fractures.
Non-compliance with retainer wear: This is a crucial step to stabilize orthodontic results; neglecting it can easily cause teeth to shift back to their original positions.
Declining general health: Elderly individuals often suffer from diabetes, osteoporosis, and are prone to tooth calcium loss, weak teeth, and sensitivity. Good control of systemic and oral diseases is essential to maintain long-term orthodontic results.
Overview of Common Orthodontic Methods Today
Orthodontics is an effective dental corrective solution that helps improve the shape of teeth and gums and addresses common dental imperfections. This method uses fixed retainers attached directly to the teeth, made from non-irritating materials, ensuring safety and delivering desired results. Below are the common orthodontic methods favored by many:
Metal Braces
Using the classic metal bracket framework, this is a popular method due to its low cost, ease of application, and suitability for most dental imperfections. However, its aesthetic appeal is not high, and oral hygiene is quite challenging as brackets easily trap food, becoming prominently visible when smiling.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces have a similar design to metal ones but use ceramic material that matches the color of the teeth, enhancing aesthetics and making them difficult to detect from a distance. The durability of ceramic braces is also comparable to metal, and they can be applied to many cases of misaligned teeth.
Self-Ligating Braces
Unlike the elastic tie method, this type of brace uses a smart sliding mechanism that securely holds the archwire without requiring frequent adjustments. This offers convenience, reduces the number of follow-up appointments, and delivers high treatment effectiveness.
Lingual Braces
Also known as lingual braces, they are placed on the inner surface of the teeth, making them invisible and maximizing aesthetic appeal. However, this is a complex technique requiring a skilled and experienced dentist. Additionally, the brackets’ contact with the tongue can cause discomfort, make oral hygiene difficult, and lead to bad breath and dental diseases if not meticulously cared for.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
This is currently the most modern method, utilizing clear dental plastic aligners that are safe and biocompatible, making the orthodontic treatment almost unnoticeable. The aligners are easily removable, convenient to use, and facilitate better oral hygiene. Each aligner is custom-designed to fit the individual’s jaw and misaligned teeth, and is typically replaced every 2 weeks to ensure consistent adjustment progress.
How to Reduce Risks with Braces
To reduce risks with braces, the prerequisite is to choose a reputable dental clinic with specialized, experienced orthodontists and modern equipment. This forms the foundation for safe orthodontic treatment and achieving the best results throughout your long orthodontic journey.
My Auris Dental – a reputable orthodontic clinic highly regarded by clients and experts, stands out with its team of specialized orthodontists experienced in traditional braces. All dentists here are graduates of medical universities, hold specialized orthodontic certificates issued by the Ministry of Health, and work directly under the guidance of Dr. My Auris – head of the orthodontics department.
Unlike facilities with only general dentists, My Auris has established a dedicated orthodontics department, ensuring you are examined and treated by a specialized orthodontist, leading to optimal results.
Furthermore, the clinic utilizes world-leading technology with advanced orthodontic techniques such as:
- MEAW technique for treating severe occlusal plane discrepancies
- Transforce palatal expander technique to minimize tooth extraction
- Miniscrew implant technique to shorten tooth movement time
At My Auris, every set of braces has a clear origin and is guaranteed genuine. Customers can check the product barcode before use, completely eliminating any harm from non-standard brackets.
Furthermore, My Auris offers a contract guaranteeing a refund if the results are not as expected. This helps protect customer rights, ensures the outcome after braces removal, and maintains the treatment timeline, empowering you to plan for the future.
In summary, common orthodontic treatment is an effective method for enhancing dental aesthetics, helping you communicate with greater confidence. However, the harms of braces can still occur if the procedure is not performed correctly or if you maintain poor oral hygiene. Therefore, choosing a reputable dental clinic and ensuring careful supervision of the bracing process are crucial steps to give you peace of mind on your journey to a beautiful smile.
