Braces are a method to help adjust the position and bite of teeth to have even teeth and a more beautiful smile. To be successful, throughout the process you must comply with the doctor’s treatment plan in each stage. So when getting braces, what are the stages of braces? Which stage is the most painful and uncomfortable? Please follow the following article with My Auris Dentistry.
Answers about orthodontic braces technique
Braces are a dental technique that helps adjust teeth to the correct position on the jaw. From there, the problems of malocclusion, overbite, underbite, gaps, misalignments, etc. can be overcome to bring even, straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
To adjust teeth, the doctor will use orthodontic devices that can be fixed (braces, wires, elastic bands), or removable (transparent braces) to apply force to help move teeth. Going through each stage of movement and correction, the teeth return to the correct position, which can take 18-24 months, or even longer for people with severe conditions.
What are the stages of braces?
Orthodontics is a long process, you must follow the doctor’s instructions and examinations through the stages of braces as follows: pre-orthodontics, separation – attaching braces, aligning teeth, closing spaces, adjusting bite and removing braces – wearing retainer.
Phase 1 – Pre-orthodontic stage: Examination and consultation
This is the examination and consultation stage before performing braces. And it is also an extremely important stage because it has a great impact on the effectiveness of the entire orthodontic process.
The examination helps the doctor understand the condition of the customer’s teeth, from which to create an appropriate treatment regimen and plan. The doctor will perform a general oral examination on both the inside and outside, take dental X-rays to determine the level of misalignment, bite, etc.
Finally, advise on the details of the treatment plan as well as propose braces methods according to the customer’s needs, desires, and conditions.
The Braces stage – stage 2: separation, attachment of braces
After agreeing on the treatment plan and braces method, the doctor will proceed with separation and attachment of braces for those who choose fixed braces. As for braces with transparent aligners, a scan will be taken to take a jaw impression to send information to the aligner tray manufacturer.
The doctor places elastic bands to create space for the brace band to be attached later. Braces bands are installed with the purpose of creating a solid anchorage and fulcrum for the bracket system or intermaxillary elastics. From there, the teeth will be held and moved better. At the same time, the band also has a hook to attach the elastic as well as a small tube to thread the bowstring.
After completing the process of attaching orthodontic bands, the doctor will proceed to attach fixed brackets on the customer’s teeth.
Stage 3: Stage of aligning the teeth
Once the appliances are fixed on the teeth, they will begin to generate force, affecting the crowns of the teeth, so the teeth will also gradually move in the initial steps.
In the stages of braces, aligning teeth is also the first stage in the process of helping teeth move. At this time, the doctor will use a system of brackets and large wires to rotate the tooth crown axis as well as flatten the dental arch.
This stage usually lasts from 2-4 months. Initially, you may not feel the movement of the teeth but you can still feel the tooth axis changing to a more aligned position.
If the jaw does not have enough space for the teeth to spread evenly, the doctor will prescribe tooth extraction or interdental cutting. Normally, for customers who need tooth extraction, it will be prescribed about 1 month after the braces are installed.
Stages of braces – Stage 4: Closing the space when using braces
After the teeth move to the correct position, the doctor will continue to pull the teeth forward including the incisors and fast teeth in to fill the gaps of the extracted teeth. This will prevent jaw bone loss and help teeth become more even and tighter.
The doctor can use the wire sliding mechanism on the braces to reduce the gap in the jaw. If the doctor is not experienced, skilled, or has poor control, the tooth root can pop out. At this time, the tooth crown moves but the tooth root does not move, etc. Therefore, this stage requires a good doctor who is knowledgeable about orthodontics, has techniques, and expertise.
In cases where teeth are not extracted, there is no need to close the tooth space, but only need to adjust each tooth. If there are still deviations, we will continueReattach the brackets or bend the wire, adjust the traction, then move on to the bite correction stage.
There are 3 methods of closing spaces in orthodontics:
- Using minivis: Used to close the space of extracted teeth in cases of overbite and underbite.
- Using space closing elastics: Used to close small spaces in cases of crowded, crooked teeth, after extraction of supernumerary teeth.
- Using pull hooks: Used in many different cases, however, pull hooks often cause entanglement and discomfort like when you first attach braces, especially in the beginning.
Stage 5: Bite adjustment
To ensure chewing function, after closing the gap between teeth, the bite must still be adjusted because at this time the bite still has a certain misalignment.
The doctor will adjust both the upper and lower jaw at the same time to create a standard bite to help adjust chewing force better.
Braces are not only about rearranging the teeth on the jaw into the correct position, but also affecting and correcting the defects of the teeth to help bring balance and harmony to the overall face.
Stages of braces – Stage 6: Remove braces and wear retainer
Once you have gone through the stages of braces, adjusted your teeth to be beautiful and have a standard bite, the doctor will remove the braces and instruct you to wear braces only. maintained at home. Wearing retainer braces will help stabilize the position of the teeth as well as permanently fix them in the desired position without worrying about the teeth returning to their original state.
The normal time to wear braces is about 6-12 months, however this time varies for each customer.
This stage is the most painful for braces?
When choosing the braces method, most customers are worried and wonder if braces cause pain and discomfort. However, braces do not invade the jawbone, the gum tissue only slowly moves the teeth to the correct position, so it is not as painful as people imagine.
Besides, braces are not always painful but it also depends on the stage of braces. According to customers, the pain is not too great, but it will feel uncomfortable, because they are not used to the device. At the same time, it hurts each time the braces are tightened to move the teeth.
Through the sharing in the article about stages of braces, perhaps everyone can understand how braces go through. Successful braces will help you look pretty and have a more even, beautiful smile. The most important thing is to choose a reputable, quality, reliable dental address that ensures the doctor’s skills, expertise, and experience in orthodontics.
Anh Thy
