Examples of orthodontic treatments (fixed braces): Small braces are placed on the front or back of each tooth and a wire is tied to them. Clear aligners: Also known as “invisible braces,” clear aligners are a series of transparent, custom-molded plastic parts that sit over the teeth and move them slowly. Uptown133 East 58th Street Suite 912 New York, NY 10022. Both orthodontists and dentists help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with teeth, gums, nerves and jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites, occlusions and the straightness of teeth.
An important difference is that all orthodontists, such as Drs. Burk and Flinn are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists. The bite plane is an appliance used to reduce a deep overbite, so the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively. It works by preventing the patient from completely biting the back teeth.
This allows the posterior teeth to emerge naturally, reducing overlapping of the front teeth. The bite plane is made of wire and acrylic, which can be removable or cemented in place by an orthodontist. Removable bite plane is most effective when worn all the time. The quality of our final result and the timely completion of treatment depends on the patient carrying the bite plane on a consistent basis.
A bite splint is a custom-fit rubber mouthpiece worn on the lower teeth. The bite splint is mainly used to aid in the correction of a crossbite (upper teeth inside the lower teeth) and is used in conjunction with the upper braces. This appliance prevents the patient from biting completely, and that allows the crossbite tooth (s) to move to the correct position. When a fixed retainer is used on the upper arch, it is usually located behind the two upper front teeth.
It is usually used for patients who had a large space between the front teeth prior to orthodontic treatment. The fixed upper tongue retainer should stay in place for as long as possible or until your general dentist recommends its removal. However, they are NOT a substitute for helmets. If helmet wear is poor, Forsus springs can offer an acceptable compromise.
Forsus springs are used as a second resort because elastic bands are usually more comfortable to wear and allow easier brushing. Forsus springs are used in conjunction with the upper and lower braces and are placed by an orthodontist. They are held in place by tubes in the upper molars and attached to the lower arch. The springs work EXTREMELY well because they are not removable and guarantee a constant force on the teeth.
Braces are the mechanism we use to “grasp the teeth”. In other words, they simply provide an attachment with which we can grasp and move our teeth. Traditionally, full braces involve bands that are placed on the molar teeth (which wrap completely around the tooth) and braces are attached to all other teeth. A special type of glue is used to attach the brackets to the teeth.
It is strong enough to keep the braces in place during treatment, but it must be weak enough to be able to remove them when treatment is complete. Oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth and flossing, is EXTREMELY important during orthodontic care. Braces attached to teeth provide many more places for food particles and plaque to build up. These residues are easy to remove with proper and thorough brushing and flossing.
Without proper hygiene, the patient is at risk of developing decalcification (white marks) on teeth, cavities, and swollen and overgrown gum tissue. The photo above illustrates one type of braces that we offer. At each appointment you can choose “ties” of different colors, which attach the wire bow to the support. For teenagers and mature adults, we also offer ceramic holders.
These braces are less noticeable because they are the same color as the tooth. Remember, however, that the arches that pass through the supports will still be visible. This appliance can also be used to prevent the upper back teeth from sliding forward during space closure in patients who have undergone extractions to correct the bite. The helmet uses the back of the neck (see photo) as an “anchor” to correct this relationship.
The inner part of the hull slides in tubes on the side of the first molars. This is a small removable acrylic wire retainer that fits over the lower front teeth. The lower spring retainer can be used simply to maintain tooth alignment or to correct slight rotations or kinks. A reverse-traction harness is used to correct Class III skeletal malocclusions, which means that the upper jaw is less prominent than the lower jaw.
In other words, the upper jaw is behind or the lower jaw is forward. A dental “underbite” usually accompanies this mandibular relationship. This means that the lower front teeth are in front of the upper front teeth. The purpose of the reverse traction harness is to encourage forward growth of the upper jaw, which can correct underbite and improve facial appearance.
Always remember that braces simply give us a way to “hold on” to our teeth. It is the elastic bands and cables that move the teeth. The elastic band treatment phase takes the longest time in the average patient. Keep in mind that elastic bands only move your teeth; however, if you have any discomfort in your jaw joint, please let us know.
The Essix Sliding Cover or Retainer (Clear Plastic) is the first initial retainer most patients receive on the day they remove braces. The non-slip cover retainer should be used at all times until the patient receives a Hawley retainer. These retainers effectively maintain the alignment of the teeth, while allowing controlled and minute movement of the teeth, which orthodontists call “seating”. When used as directed, the bite actually improves in the critical first few weeks after the braces are removed.
Retainers are really as important as braces in the long-term outcome of orthodontic treatment. And YES, Retention is a Lifetime Commitment. Tooth movement and crowding have been shown to be part of the normal aging process. Your retainers allow you to maintain your youthful smile long after nature intended.
However, remember that your teeth will be straighter the day the braces are removed. Some slight changes in alignment are normal, even with flawless retainer wear. To keep these changes to an absolute minimum, use your retainer (s) as directed. The amazing thing about orthodontics is that it takes advantage of the body's natural ability to reshape its own tissue.
With the application of light and constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape bone and move teeth to better positions. Examples of these appliances are traditional metal braces, discrete transparent or tooth-colored braces, and transparent aligners, a relatively new option for adults and teens. . .
