PURPOSE
(When is the procedure required?)

Dental braces offer corrective treatment for: S.no   1. Overcrowded or crooked teeth 2. Too much space between teeth 3. Upper front teeth that overlap the lower teeth too much — either vertically (overbite) or horizontally (overjet) 4. Upper front teeth that bite behind the lower ones (underbite) 5. Other jaw misalignment problems that cause an uneven bite 6. Proper alignment of your teeth and jaws may improve not only the appearance of your teeth, but the way you bite, chew and speak. 7. Adults and braces Braces can help solve some of the same problems in adults that they do in children, including crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. If you're an adult with braces, you may need to wear them longer than a younger person would, but they can still produce similar results. Because your facial bones are no longer growing, however, there may be some problems that can't be corrected with braces alone.

Adults and braces S.no   1. Braces can help solve some of the same problems in adults that they do in children, including crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. If you're an adult with braces, you may need to wear them longer than a younger person would, but they can still produce similar results. Because your facial bones are no longer growing, however, there may be some problems that can't be corrected with braces alone.

EXPECTATION
(How is it done? What to expect before, during, and after the procedure?)

S.no   1. Treatment consists of three phases: the initial placement of the braces (or clear aligners), periodic adjustments and wearing of a retainer after the braces are removed. 2. Occasionally, the orthodontist may use tension between upper and lower jaws to help promote correct alignment. This is often done with elastic bands stretched between opposing teeth. 3. Your teeth and jaws may feel slightly sore for a day or two after an adjustment. This discomfort can usually be eased with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Tell your orthodontist if the discomfort is severe or becomes worse.

Placement of braces - Fixed braces typically consist of these components: S.no   1. Brackets attached to the outside surfaces of the premolar and front teeth. Sometimes they can be attached to the backside of teeth, hiding them from view, but this makes them slightly more difficult to access. Brackets can be made of stainless steel, titanium, polycarbonate, ceramic, or a combination of a polycarbonate base and ceramic bracket. Modern metal brackets are smaller and less noticeable than they used to be. Ceramic brackets are usually clear or tooth-colored, and are less obvious than metal brackets. 2. Ring-like bands that encircle the molar teeth. Bands are made of stainless steel or titanium. A buccal tube attached to the band of the last molar holds the end of the connecting arch wire in place. 3. A flexible wire (arch wire) that connects all of the brackets and bands, controlling movement of the teeth. Today's wires may be made of copper, nickel and titanium, which are superelastic and have shape memory, making them more flexible than stainless steel. While they are more expensive, they tend to require fewer adjustments. 4. Various accessories to help position the teeth, in addition to the fixed components. Small rubber bands (elastic ties) secure the arch wire to the brackets. Larger rubber bands also may be used to help move teeth. Headgear (usually worn at night) may be used to help hold or move teeth into the correct position. 5. Removable clear aligners Instead of using fixed braces, certain people who need only minor corrections may benefit from a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners or invisible braces. Each set of aligners is worn for a period of two weeks, as close to 24 hours a day as possible — except when eating, brushing or flossing — until it's replaced by the next set. You should also remove the aligners when drinking liquids that might stain the aligner, such as coffee or tea.

PREPARATION
( How to prepare for the procedure? What arrangements to be done? )

S.no   1. If your regular dentist notices problems with your teeth or jaws that may require treatment, he or she will likely refer you to an orthodontist — a dentist who specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial irregularities. 2. Most alignment problems become apparent once the permanent teeth begin to come through the gum (erupt). But your orthodontist may recommend waiting until enough teeth have come through before applying braces. Most children get braces between the ages of 8 and 14, while their facial bones are still growing and their teeth are more susceptible to movement.

Preparation for braces generally involves: S.no   1. Oral exam. Your orthodontist conducts a full exam of your teeth, jaws and mouth. 2. X-rays. You'll get a series of X-rays to determine the position of teeth. The most common is the panoramic X-ray, which shows all the upper and lower teeth in biting position and any teeth still developing within the jaws. Special head X-rays also may help determine the size, position and relationship of jaws to teeth. 3. Plaster models. Your orthodontist typically obtains plaster models of your teeth to evaluate your bite. To make an impression of your teeth, you'll be asked to bite into soft material, which will remain on your teeth for a few minutes. From this impression, the orthodontist can create a plaster model of your teeth (dental cast). In some cases, this dental cast may be scanned into a digital format for further evaluation or treatment decisions. 4. Potential tooth extraction. If your mouth is very overcrowded, your orthodontist may recommend removing one or more permanent teeth to allow room for the remaining teeth to fit comfortably. In severe cases, where tooth movement alone will not correct a bite that's significantly out of alignment, jaw surgery is required in combination with orthodontics. 5. After your orthodontist has evaluated your teeth and jaws, he or she customizes a treatment plan for you. This most often involves the use of fixed braces, which are temporarily bonded to your teeth.

RESULT
(What is the impact of the procedure on the health and day to day life.)

S.no   1. On average, most people wear full braces for one to three years. Retainers may be worn indefinitely to ensure that the final results remain stable. 2. Braces are generally very effective in realigning crooked teeth and correcting improperly positioned jaws. But the person wearing the braces has an important role to play in the success of the treatment. 3. Follow your orthodontist's instructions precisely, especially during the retention period. When it comes to this final phase, it's important to wear the retainer as directed or risk losing the benefits gained while wearing braces.