Ask the dentist Warrior: The new face of orthodontics A generation ago the term "braces" or "orthodontics" conjured up images of rooms to shine light on the reflective metal teenagers smile.
braces today are much nicer and much more effective than those braces years ago. They are also more comfortable and better designed.
More choices exist today for orthodontics so. dental devices are used on children at an earlier age to correct problems or to simplify subsequent processing and help provide a better result.
More than four million people in the United States wear braces or other orthodontic appliances. Approximately one fifth of these people are adults. With advances in orthodontics and aesthetic devices and more adults are taking advantage of the form sthis dental care to improve their appearance and correct dental problems that were bothering them all their lives.
Orthodontic assisting children and adults not only to achieve a beautiful smile, but dental health as well. For example, overcrowded teeth can cause problems with brushing and flossing create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause cavities and plaque. Camera can also correct problems that could affect bite to eat and create a higher risk for gum and bone problems. Bite problems are not corrected, may also make chewing difficult and stress placed on the jawbone, producing pain.
Braces, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances are classified as medical devices and as such are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is to help ensure their safety and effectiveness. Any new or innovative orthodontic device or equipment must be approved by the FDA before entering the market or used in orthodontic procedure in general. This includes plastics, son, bonding agents and color dyes used. Nevertheless, you should let your orthodontist know if you feel you have adverse reactions to dental braces.
Invisalign as an alternative to braces has been approved by the FDA to straighten teeth in adolescents and older adults.
The overall objective of Invisalign is the same as traditional braces in that it seeks to gently move the teeth into their correct position. Invisalign uses a series of clear removable trays instead of wires and brackets. The orthodontist takes impressions of teeth and sends these models to the maker of Invisalign. The company uses a computer simulation of the desired movement of teeth to custom make the gutters for each patient. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks. The trays are removable for eating, brushing and flossing is a great advantage over non-removable braces. For some people, a combination of media and Invisalign is successful, requiring less time in traditional braces. The procedure has not been developed for the Invisalign young children or people with serious dental misalignment. If you think this might be appropriate for you, ask your dentist for your next visit.
Since most people do not naturally straight teeth is a great thing that orthodontics has considerably improved recently, making orthodontic care a more viable, attractive and effective solution to achieve a beautiful smile and healthy.
Posted on March 4, 2010.