Why do I need braces fitting?

If you don’t have a lot of experience with dental treatments, it might not be immediately obvious why you should get braces fitted to deal with malocclusions (dental problems). The first thing you should know is that some orthodontic issues, such as misalignment or extreme crowding, can escalate as you get older, most of the time without you even noticing. Problems that are left untreated can become very difficult to deal with, even causing changes in the shape of the face or affecting speech, so you shouldn’t just assume that unsightly teeth are simply an aesthetic problem, they can have health implications too. If you just dismiss braces offhand, you might have to pay the price in the future, why not learn a little bit about why people have braces fitted first, and then decide whether or not you are going to invest in your teeth? Speak to someone at the Pearl Dental Clinic if you would like more information on the subject, or to book a consultation.

The majority of adults who need braces fitting are reluctant to do so, mainly because they don’t like the idea of wearing obvious dental devices when they are no longer in their teens, but thanks to improvements in orthodontic technology, there are several convenient, discreet systems available, that can promise excellent results in a short space of time. In particular, aligners or clear resin shields – sometimes known as ‘invisible braces’ – are very popular with patients of all ages, simply because they are very effective and almost impossible to detect when being worn.

What are the benefits of having braces?

Lots of people have their own reasons for wanting braces, but there are three main reasons why most people seek orthodontic treatment:

To improve their appearance – There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best, and you might be surprised how drastically braces can alter your appearance – for the better. Misaligned, crooked, over-crowded teeth tend to draw unwanted attention and can really lower a person’s confidence, but braces can have a significant effect on both proportional spacing and alignment, changing the way that person is perceived in a social situation and how they feel about themselves. Although invisible brace systems can’t help with extreme cases, they are a great way for patients with less complicated problems to have discreet orthodontic treatment.

Don’t let the thought of wearing braces put you off, you can do something about your dental problems, it just takes a little will power and perseverance – especially since some traditional methods can take years to perform to their full capacity. It’s also worth remembering that dental treatment is never going to be cheap and it’s rarely available for free on the NHS, unless your health is proven to be at risk from your condition.

To make their mouth healthier – Braces aren’t just good for changing the shape of your teeth; they can transform your mouth and make it easier to take care of. There are numerous dental problems that can prove difficult to live with, as well as unpleasant to look at, for example; overcrowded teeth can create enclosed areas that are hard to clean, which are ideal for bacteria to breed in and cause disease or infection. Without treatment, these areas will develop plaque, tartar, and eventually cavities that lead to a whole host of more complicated problems. Even people with perfectly straight teeth have to maintain a decent cleaning routine, but to some extent, they have it easier than those of us who have severe malocclusions; they don’t have to worry about bacteria gathering in hard to reach places, which puts their teeth at risk. Properly aligned teeth will provide very little space for food debris or bacteria to get stuck, making the daily cleaning ritual a much simpler task.

In addition, extremely crooked or protruding teeth can be considered unhealthy, in the sense that they are more vulnerable to injuries or accidents. Teeth that are not correctly protected by the lips and cheeks are much more likely to suffer damage due to their location than teeth that are straight and properly enclosed in their sockets. There are some options available for patients who have troublesome teeth that are a risk to their oral health, including invisible braces, Inman aligners, and traditional metal braces that are fixed directly to the enamel.

To have a better oral function – Occasionally, dental problems can extend to the jaw muscles and bones, making it difficult for the patient to chew or speak properly. The connecting muscles in the jaw can be complicated to deal with, and they can suffer damage from even the smallest knock or blow, which exhibits itself as cracking joints and jaw ache. Orthodontic appliances are often used to correct badly aligned bites and uneven pressure distribution in the mouth, as the jaw will adapt to bad chewing patterns if the teeth don’t connect properly when biting. The chewing function tries to work around misplaced or missing teeth by adjusting itself accordingly, but this doesn’t always transfer comfortably to the jaw muscles, leaving them damaged or sore, because they are not working in sync with the jaw bone to apply an even amount of pressure.

Jaw pain or malfunctions are not usually something that a lot of people are aware of, and the subject tends to be overlooked because it is not incredibly painful or life-threatening, but by ignoring the problem, orthodontic issues are exacerbated. Braces work by addressing irregularities with chewing and attempting to realign the teeth, either pulling the bottom mandible (jaw bone) forward or pushing it back and holding that position for an extended amount of time, until the muscles become accustomed to their new function and automatically fall into place. This helps the jaw muscles to work with more efficiency and makes them stronger, as well as dealing with painful side effects like crunching or cracking when chewing. Invisible braces are not always ideal for this problem, but they can be useful for keeping the adjusted teeth in their new position, as some patients may see a degree of regression when their treatment is over.