Braces Placement Process
We all have heard that getting braces is a painful procedure, therefore the majority of people get scared and worried when their orthodontist tells them they need dental braces.
But what many people do not know is that the braces placement is a painless procedure. Some individuals might experience slight discomfort but there should be no pain at the moment the orthodontist is putting the braces onto the teeth. In fact some soreness will occur days after the braces have been placed due that the teeth are just getting used to the arch wires and the elastic bands.The braces placement process follows three steps:1. Treatment Plan: Once the patient has been examined and it has been determined that he or she needs braces,
X-rays and dental impressions are required for outlining the patient’s treatment plan. Dental impressions are made by the orthodontist making some pressure with an elastic dental dough that is placed inside each side of the jaw.2. Cleaning: Before placing the braces, the patient’s mouth and teeth have to be very clean so orthodontic specialists do a Prophylaxis and fluoridation. A prophylaxis is a cleaning and polishing procedure performed to remove plaque and stains on the teeth. On the other hand fluoridation is the use of fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and helps fight cavities.3. Braces Placement: the orthodontic specialists paints a primer onto the teeth and then pastes each brace onto each tooth with bonding cement. This bonding cement is then cured by using a bright blue light; this process can take between 10 and 20 minutes. After the braces are pasted a metallic arch wire is passed through the braces' gaps, and is fastened with small elastics. Metallic bands are put around the upper and lower molar teeth to support the arch wire.After the braces have been placed, discomfort and some pain will occur days later since the patient’s teeth are not used to the pressure caused by the braces. In this case the patient can take over the counter pain medicine suggested by their orthodontist. Also, orthodontic specialists usually recommend a wax to put on the braces to alleviate the irritation of the inner lips and cheeks caused by the constant rubbing of the braces against the skin. Once the teeth have adjusted better to the braces, the pain will disappear and eating will be much easier. However, patients must keep in mind that hard and sticky foods may be difficult to eat and they may break the braces so they should try to avoid them.Finally it is important to remember that constant orthodontic appointments are required so the orthodontist can maintain control of the patient’s progress. During these visits the orthodontist may adjust the dental braces or change the elastics as needed. Patients should brush their teeth (with a toothbrush for braces preferably) after each meal and floss between the wires. The cleaning of the teeth may take more time with dental braces and the patient has to be very careful to follow the orthodontist instructions. Cleaning is very important to protect the teeth from bacteria that causes cavities as well as gum disease that may appear when food gets stuck between teeth and braces.
