Moving Teeth Through Continuous Pressure
Braces work by moving the teeth over a period of about 24 months. This movement is achieved by putting pressure on the tooth to be moved by stretching the tissues surrounding it, causing the socket to become looser, thus loosening the tooth temporarily. The bone will eventually fill in around the tooth in its new position, solidifying it in that place. There are different forms of braces, ranging from the type that fasten to the front of the teeth to ones that are designed to be totally transparent so as to not be obviously visible. Some people even wear braces that are applied to the backs of the teeth so they cannot be seen at all. Often at least one tooth will need to be removed to make room for the rest of the teeth to assume a normal shape. This is a common part of the treatment when the jaw is too small for all of the teeth to sit next to each other.
Temporarily Loose Teeth
Pressure is placed on each tooth that is to be moved by the use of an arch wire, which is a wire that is high gauge and will try to return to its original shape. The dentist bends the wire to the desired shape, then attaches it to the brackets which are glued to the teeth. When the wire is in place it will attempt to return to its former shape and will cause the teeth to undergo pressure, which breaks down the bone in one area and rebuilds it in another. This is how the teeth move and solidify into a new position. Quite often, people wearing braces on their teeth will be able to feel some looseness in their teeth during this process. This is perfectly normal and should not in any way interfere with normal eating. If it seems that the teeth are unusually loose however, it is a good idea to see your dentist quickly. This could be a sign of another interfering condition such as oral cancer and needs to be evaluated immediately.
After Treatment is Over...Retainers
Once the teeth have completely assumed the new shape and the bone has hardened into position, which happens after about two years of wearing the devices, the braces are removed. However, that is not the end of the treatment as the patient is then fitted with a retainer to make certain the teeth do not realign themselves while the person is sleeping and possibly grinding their teeth. This is a common problem with people who have worn braces; if the bone has not had time to completely harden around the teeth in their new positions it can cause the teeth to wander again. If the patient's bite is off due to a jaw misalignment, it is likely that person will need to have a surgical realignment done to prevent the teeth from reverting back to their previous positions or positions that are even worse.
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