Cosmetic Dentistry Toronto - Do I Need Braces for my Teeth?

Dental braces are braces for teeth and are also known as orthodontic braces, they are a device used in cosmetic dentistry to straighten teeth and correct their position in regards to your bite pattern. Braces for teeth are often used to correct defects in your teeth such as under bites, overbites, cross bites, and open bites. Braces are also used to straighten crooked teeth and other flaws in regards to your teeth and jaw, whether it is cosmetic or structural.

Braces for teeth are often used in conjunction with other dental appliances to shape the teeth and jaws as well as widen the palate or jaw. Though they are mainly used on children and adolescents there are many adults that are now getting braces to correct their smile and improve their confidence in social situations.

There are a number of steps when it comes to getting your new braces and the first step is figuring out if braces are right for your particular situation. Your cosmetic dentist will have a consultation with you to start things off and visually assess your teeth to see if braces are the right route for you to take. If your cosmetic dentist decides that braces for your teeth will work the next step is to take x-rays, molds and impressions of your teeth. Depending on the complexity of your situation the treatment may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 and a half years.

Once your braces treatment is complete you will be required to wear a retainer for a while, the cosmetic dentist will recommend a retainer based on your individual needs. If you don’t use a retainer after the braces treatment the teeth may begin to shift back to their original position which is known as a relapse. In some cases you my require a bonded retainer in which case a metal wire will be bonded to your teeth, usually the wire is bonded to the inside of your teeth.

In some cases a device known as a pre-finisher is required before you move onto a retainer, a pre-finisher is a piece of rubber a lot like a mouth guard which fix gaps between teeth, small spaces between the upper and lower jaw and other minor problems that braces for teeth can’t fix.

Braces require extra attention to your dental hygiene and you must take special care of your braces otherwise you could cause more problems for your teeth. Plaque can build up extremely quickly on your braces if you don’t make sure to keep food from building up in and around the structure of your braces. It is important to brush, floss and use a dental pick to keep your braces clean and plaque free.