Braces to correct teeth
Annerley Dental offers different options to correct your teeth – metal braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners.
Metal braces and ceramic braces straighten teeth by cementing brackets onto the teeth and then using wires that tension the teeth.
This treatment option to straighten teeth can be the quickest treatment option, as the brackets and wires are non-removable and fixed to the teeth, 24/7. Therefore, they can provide a quicker end result.
Metal or ceramic braces
Traditional metal braces are still a common form of orthodontic treatment recommended when teeth are heavily crowded, (i.e. when significant movement is required) but can’t be predictably achieved with removable clear aligners.
The other time metal braces are preferred is when the patient (child/adult) is not disciplined enough to wear removable clear aligners for 22 hours a day and commit to changing the aligners on a weekly-fortnightly basis.
With fixed braces patients need to visit the dental practice approximately every 6-8 weeks to allow for changing the wires (which helps move the teeth to the desired position) and also assess whether any positional changes are required to the brackets to maximise this movement. Patients don’t need to change anything themselves so compliance is not an issue. You just need to keep your teeth very clean.
Metal braces consist of metal brackets attached to the teeth and connected with a thin metal wire that is adjusted at regular intervals to put gentle pressure on the teeth to move them into their new position. Coloured bands around the metal braces make them particularly popular with kids and teens who like to customise their appearance at each appointment.
Self-ligating braces are similar to metal braces, the difference is self-ligating braces will use a gate-like mechanism that closes over the brackets.
The main difference between metal braces and ceramic braces is their appearance. Using clear or tooth-coloured brackets and wires instead of the traditional metal ones gives them a subtler look that is popular with adults. Since they work in the same way as metal braces, they are generally used in adults who would like their treatment to be subtle and not visible.
There are two main types of malocclusion and one ideal occlusion:
Class I
is the correct occlusion, and it gives the person a well-balanced profile.
Class II
Occlusion occurs when the lower dental arch is more towards the back of the mouth than the upper one. In this malocclusion, the upper front and maxillary teeth project more forward than the lower teeth and the jaw. The profile of a patient with class II has a retracted chin and lower lip. In many cases, class II problems are inherited genetically and can be aggravated by environmental factors such as finger sucking.
Class III
Occlusion is when the lower molars are very forward and do not fit their corresponding upper molars.The lower teeth and the jaw project more forward than the upper and maxillary teeth. In patients with this malocclusion, the profile is a prominent chin. Class III problems are usually due to excessive growth in the lower jaw, a lack of upper jaw growth, or a combination of both. To correct this malocclusion, the indicated treatment is braces with the help of temporary implants placed in the bone to help pull back the jaw and in severe cases possibly surgery to the bone itself.
Three types of Occlusion. Cl II & Class III need correcting. Class I is normal.
Problems when jaw alignment is left uncorrected
The position of the jaws is the bony base of the bite. Therefore, if the maxilla and jaw are not well aligned and, if left untreated, malocclusions can cause functional problems such as tooth wear, inability to chew, digestion problems, speech problems, jaw joint (TMJ) pain, sleep disorders and even sleep apnea. In addition, patients with malocclusions have an imbalance in the facial features, which may be more or less noticeable.
Metal or ceramic braces for correcting crowded teeth
Metal braces are attached to your teeth so that they can’t be removed, allowing them to work round the clock to straighten your teeth. The metal brackets are secured to your teeth using a special glue. The archwire is threaded through these brackets and held in place with your choice of coloured bands, tied in with wire or held in place with a gated mechanism.
The length of your treatment will depend on how far your teeth need to be moved. In some cases it will only take a few months. However, in other cases, it can be a few years.
Metal or ceramic braces for correcting jaw alignment
Braces and clear aligners can correct only minor misalignment of the jaws after the patient has passed puberty. When there are significant changes between the upper and lower jaws (Cl II and CL III occlusions) this is best corrected before the patient reaches their peak growth spurt between 12-14 years age in females and 14-18 years age in males. After these times it is very difficult to achieve significant changes in jaw alignment.
Oral appliances to correct the jaw / bite
Info to come.
Need Mara oral appliance details (Tracey to provide).
Oral appliances to correct the jaw / bite
A MARA appliance is a dental device used to correct bites where the there is a large gap between the upper & lower front teeth. A MARA is used on growing children, ages 10-16. It works by encouraging the patient to reposition the lower jaw forward into its correct position, putting pressure to move the upper teeth backward, the lower teeth forward & reshaping the condyle.
Another benefit of using the appliance is that it can often reduce the amount of time that a patient needs to wear braces. This is because the appliance is designed to correct the bite in a more efficient manner than traditional braces alone.
Using a MARA appliance can also help to improve the overall appearance of a patient’s face. This is because the appliance is designed to move the lower jaw forward, which can help to create a more balanced and symmetrical facial profile.
MARA is a relatively quick and effective way of achieving results with minimal compliance needed. The device is typically worn for 6-8 months. The timeline depends on the severity of the case, but most patients experience significant improvement within this period. It is a “fixed” appliance, meaning it stays within the mouth for the duration of treatment.
The MARA appliance can be used as a pre-treatment step before braces or as an independent solution to manage a large gap between the upper & lower jaws.
The MARA appliance is a life-changing device as it effectively corrects poor bite alignment with minimal discomfort while also helping to prevent further problems in the future. The effects are lasting and provide stability for long periods of time, allowing patients to enjoy improved oral health and better quality of life.
Before and after images
