Braces, Aligners And Retainers

What Are Dental Braces, Aligners And Retainers? How Do They Work?

• Orthodontic braces and aligners are used for treating the misaligned teeth for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Retainers are used to maintain the new position of teeth permanently.
• They exert a constant force on teeth resulting in the change of their position.
• Teeth have a tendency to move. So after the orthodontic treatment by braces or aligners, retainers are used to maintain the new alignment of teeth.
• Retainers can hold teeth in the same place resulting in the permanent positioning of teeth.

Dental Conditions Treated By Orthodontic Braces, Aligners And Retainers

Braces and aligners are used for:

• Crowding of the teeth
• Misalignment of teeth
• Overbite: Upper teeth overlap the lower teeth more than 2 mm deep
• Overjet: Protruded upper teeth resulting in the open mouth or open bite
• The gap in between teeth i.e. diastema
• Aligning teeth before gum contouring
• Smile makeover
• To correct the midline shift of teeth

Retainers stabilise the new position of teeth.

• They are also used for:
• Mild teeth movement of teeth without braces treatment
• Protecting the tongue in case of tongue thrust while talking
• To protect teeth from teeth grinding at night

When Should You See a Dentist?

• Visit the dentist:
• If you have crooked or misaligned teeth which are ruining the aesthetics of your smile and you are not able to clean them properly.
• If you are experiencing difficulty in closing your mouth completely. In cases of protruded front teeth, it gets difficult to close or join the lips completely.
• There is space between your teeth.
• If you are considering gum contouring or smile makeover.
• If the midline is your teeth is shifting towards the missing tooth
• When you close your mouth you have a deep bite in which upper teeth can hurt lower gums and oral mucosa.
• Before deciding on any orthodontic treatment, consult an experienced dentist who will provide a suited orthodontic option for you.

Who Are Orthodontic Braces and Aligners For? Are You Eligible For Orthodontic Braces and Aligners?

• Orthodontic braces are not age-specific but as soon as all permanent teeth erupt, braces can be advised. Anyone who has all permanent teeth erupted are eligible for braces.
• Sometimes braces treatment requires more than the expected timeframe, so having patience is very necessary. 
• You are not eligible for braces if:
• You are suffering from severe gum diseases and have extremely mobile teeth.
• If you have poor oral hygiene habits and habit of smoking & tobacco chewing.
• If your teeth misalignment is due to skeletal reason like a small lower jaw. In these types of skeletal conditions, jaw bone correction surgery is needed.
• At last, eligibility is determined by our dentist after clinical examination and presented symptoms by the patient.

Why Choose MEDSTAR For Orthodontic Braces and Aligners? The MEDSTAR Advantage

• The Dentistry Department of MEDSTAR is one centre for all dental treatments and esthetic procedures that are provided by our qualified team of well-known dentists. So, why not opt for the best dental service in Dubai? 
• We use the latest procedures and materials for braces. As an alternative to fixed braces, we have aligners and Invisalign.
• Invisalign requires an experienced dentist for its customization and alignment in the mouth of the patient. We provide the advantage of skilled dentists in Invisalign.
• You can choose from our different braces options at your convenience. All provided options are equally effective and result oriented.

Orthodontic treatment by the use of braces, aligners, Invisalign and retainers results in perfectly aligned teeth. These procedures transform a shy smile into a confident pleasing smile permanently.

How much time braces require?

Braces treatment is a long and time lasting procedure requiring multiple follow up appointments. It depends on the dental condition of the patient and the response of the teeth, jawbones and gums. Few patients need fewer than 12 months wherein there are also patients needing up to 3 years of carrying the braces before their teeth attain the aspired position.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a clear transparent removable orthodontic appliance without brackets and wires, that is customized according to the patient. It is a very thin appliance which makes it invisible. Before the treatment is done, the patient is required to undergo a digital smile design or digital imaging, which is why Invisalign provides a precise outcome.

How is Invisalign different from wire braces?

Invisalign is a series of thin and clear aligners that can be removed and cleaned easily. There is no problem with food lodgement with Invisalign as there are no metal brackets and wire-like in traditional braces. Invisalign is more comfortable as it is made of smooth transparent material and does not harm and irritate the gums or cheeks like metal brackets and wires. 

Is Invisalign easy to maintain?

Yes, Invisalign is easy to maintain than standard fixed metal wired braces. It can be easily removed while eating. Both teeth and appliance can be cleaned easily without any hassle. The easy to maintain factor gives a major advantage to Invisalign over the standard metal wired braces. 

Is braces a painful treatment?

Yes, initially and on tightening wires braces can cause pain and mouth ulcers but it subsides with time. Dentists will prescribe medicines and oral rinses for the very same reason. Sometimes braces can also lead to gum irritation and may hurt your cheeks. It is best to connect with your dentist to adjust the braces to avoid pain.

Can braces lead to the loosening of teeth?

No, loosening of teeth is a gum problem. It happens when gums and teeth are not cleaned properly. If dental hygiene is not maintained during braces treatment then it can lead to gum diseases. Few days post the metal wired dental braces are fixed, teeth begin to move and feel loose. It is the normal phenomenon of tooth migration and is the process that teeth use to shift through the braces

Will braces fix teeth permanently?

Yes, braces fix the teeth permanently but soon after removing the braces, retainers must be worn by the patient for the stability of the new position of the teeth. Wear it as per the recommendation of the dentist. Also, ensure to visit the dentist on the appointment scheduled or once in six months to observe any signs of teeth movement. Practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth and gum strong. This is how you can have the permanent result in place. 

What are invisible lingual braces?

Invisible lingual braces are the type of braces that are fixed to the back surface of teeth making them invisible. In this type of braces, brackets are installed behind the teeth so that you can have the braces treatment without the braces be seen. This helps in avoiding loss of confidence in the patients as Invisible lingual braces have zero interference in the appearance of the patient.

Are lingual braces better than standard braces?

Yes when the patient is hesitating to show off metal braces to others, lingual braces are a good option. Also, there is less food lodgement in lingual braces. As lingual braces are a more effective and modest option when compared to traditional braces they are costlier comparatively as it has to be customised and tailor-made for each of your teeth. 

Why are retainers needed?

Retainers are needed after an orthodontic treatment by braces or aligners to maintain the teeth permanently in the new position. They stabilise the newly aligned teeth permanently. It's needed to use your retainer because as your body develops, your teeth tend to move in a position slightly. The retainer is used to help to regulate this shifting, which happens naturally.