Braces Installation, These You Need to Know

Braces or stirrups are procedures performed to correct an untidy tooth structure or an abnormal jaw arrangement. If the teeth are neatly arranged and the jaw position is normal, automatic bites will be strong and a smile will look better. Unclean teeth and an abnormal jaw arrangement will make the process of chewing food not good. Not only that, if not handled properly, an untidy tooth or an abnormal jaw arrangement can cause tooth decay and injury to the muscles of the jaw, and can affect the shape of the face. The normal jaw arrangement is when biting, the upper teeth are slightly in front of the lower teeth, and the upper and lower molars must fit. Dental braces are usually done after most of the permanent teeth have grown, which is around the age of 12 years. However, problems with untidy teeth or misaligned jaws have begun to emerge when permanent teeth begin to grow, which is around the age of 7 years, so you should see a dentist (especially orthodontist / Sp.Ort specialist) at that age to plan treatment from the outset. Because when you get older, facial bones have also stopped growing, so there may be a problem that cannot be corrected by braces. In addition, someone who wears braces in adulthood, takes longer than installing braces at the age of children. Seeing a dentist at an early age, does not mean that children need to install the wire at that time.

Indications for Braces Installation

The dentist will recommend braces or braces in conditions such as:

• Teeth grow in an abnormal position, so that the other teeth accumulate or are too tenuous.
• The upper jaw or upper teeth are far more advanced than the lower jaw or teeth (tonggos).
• The lower jaw or lower teeth are more advanced than the upper jaw or teeth (cameh).

Before Braces Installation

At the beginning of the examination, the dentist will conduct a thorough physical examination of the teeth. After that, dental x-rays will be taken to clearly understand the patient's tooth structure. In other types of examinations, patients can be asked to bite a soft-molded tooth mold for several minutes. Through this mold pattern, the doctor can evaluate the structure of the patient's teeth and jaws. If the patient's tooth condition is congested or the jaw is too tight with the arrangement of the teeth, then the doctor can do a tooth extraction. One or more problematic teeth can be removed in order to make room for other teeth.

Types of Braces

Braces or stirrups have various types, including:

• Permanent braces. Braces that cannot be removed after being installed. Permanent braces are composed of brackets that are attached to the teeth using special glue, and each bracket is connected to a wire.
• Stirrups off pairs. Pairs of removable stirrup can be in the form of plastic plates placed in the upper or lower jaw and pinching teeth with a wire, or in the form of a clear aligner, which is a clear plastic stirrup that covers the teeth. These braces can be removable and must be cleaned regularly.
• Functional braces. A pair of plastic braces top associated with the bottom. This type of braces can be removable.
• Headgear. Tools that are usually only used at night, are braces that are attached to the back teeth and are connected to the back of the head (shaped like a horseshoe).

The doctor will recommend the use of braces according to the conditions experienced.

Braces Installation Procedure

The doctor will determine the type of braces to be used by the patient through a dental examination that is done from the beginning. Types of braces that are usually recommended to patients are permanent braces (fixed braces). Installation of permanent braces consists of several stages. The first stage is the installation of brackets, namely the constituent part of the braces that functions as a support, on the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth. Bracket base materials can vary, such as stainless steel, ceramics that are transparent or adapted to the color of teeth, and metals that are smaller in size and hidden from sight. The second stage is installing a ring that surrounds the molars. Before attaching the ring, the doctor will make a space between the molars and the ring with rubber. This ring is generally made of stainless steel or titanium. After that, the buccal tube will be attached to the ring on the last molars to lock the ends of the braces. The third stage is the installation of flexible wires connecting each bracket and locking ring to regulate the movement of the teeth. The final stage is the installation of additional accessories to keep the teeth in the right position. Accessories that are used commonly such as thin rubber bands or elastic ties to keep the wire position connected to the bracket or the use of rubber bands with a larger size are used to help the movement of the teeth. In addition, headgear which is generally used at night can also help to pull and maintain teeth into the right position. After undergoing braces, teeth and jaws will usually feel painful for 1-2 days. The doctor will prescribe a pain reliever to deal with this complaint.

After Braces Installation

After the braces have been attached, the patient will undergo a second phase of periodic braces adjustment. At this stage, the doctor will clean, tighten, or bend the braces. This action will put light pressure on the arrangement of the teeth, and will gradually shift the teeth to their proper position. The jawbone will follow the pressure received. If needed, the dentist will apply pressure to the upper and lower jaw using elastic rubber to improve the position of the jaw. The use of braces or stirrup generally lasts for 18 months to 2 years. After the braces are removed, the patient will undergo the last phase, namely the use of a retainer. Retainer is useful for preventing the arrangement of teeth back into their original position. This tool can be used permanently or can be removable.

Risks of Braces Installation

Every treatment has risks, including the installation of braces. One of the risks of using braces is a small gap in the teeth, so that food debris can get into it. The remaining food left between your teeth can make a buildup of plaque that contains lots of bacteria. Plaque buildup on teeth that are not handled properly can cause:

• Cavities and gum disease.
• Teeth lack minerals in the outer layer of tooth enamel, which can cause white stains on teeth.

Another risk of using braces is shortening of the tooth root. When using braces, some teeth will move in the direction of the wire pressure. In the long run, some old tooth bones will be replaced by new bone, and the length of the tooth root can be permanently reduced, causing the teeth to shake easily. To reduce the risk that can occur, patients are advised to:

• Brush your teeth regularly and carefully. Brush your teeth with toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride and a toothbrush with soft bristles can remove plaque-causing bacteria that stick to teeth. Make a habit of brushing your teeth after eating.
• Gargling regularly to remove bacteria that attach to braces. Use mouthwash that contains fluoride.
• Avoid sticky foods that can stick to braces, such as chewing gum, caramel, or confectionery.
• Using dental floss (dental floss) to clean the gap between braces.
• Do not chew ice cubes and avoid eating hard textured foods, such as nuts, because they can damage the wire.