Get your Teeth Straighten!

Braces are a collective term used for Orthodontic Treatment comprising of three components which are brackets and wire and elastics. Brackets are small, square shaped clips that are attached to the superficial surface of tooth, and wire is inserted between these brackets and elastic hold wire to the brackets which apply the pressure to align the teeth.

There are different types of bites when it comes to dentition aspect which should be harmonious with the appearance of a person. In ideal bite, the upper front teeth are slightly in outward position which overlaps the lower front teeth in both horizontal and vertical position when they meet is termed as Occlusion. When this isn’t present in a person, it’s considered to be a Malocclusion, and there are several divisions explaining different types of Malocclusion. CLASS I is generally for ideal occlusion. CLASS II is where front teeth are in far outward position with the lower teeth with far back position and gives a protruded look. CLASS III upper teeth are in too back position and lower teeth are in forward position giving edge to edge look.

There are other types of bite other then these, namely CROSSBITE where one or more lower teeth overlap the upper teeth in front or in back, DEEP BITE where upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth far too much and lower teeth touch the palate, OPEN BITE where sometimes back teeth meet and front teeth are apart or front teeth meet and back teeth are apart from lower teeth.

There are many reasons for the Malocclusion including genetic disorder, result of an accident, sometimes bad habits such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting etc.

Facts:

Orthodontic care is for everyone with good bone support. It was considered that only teenagers and children can benefit out of it but it’s not true. Anyone not happy with their smile can go for orthodontic treatment.

If your dentist asks you to go through few extractions and you are not sure about it, consult another dentist for your satisfaction.

Always be well informed about the treatment, its limitations and precautions. Braces are small brackets attached to the front surface of the teeth with a bond and it is accompanied by a stainless steel wire with elastic attached to it to aplly pressure on teeth to give results. When the treatment is done, an appliance made of acrylic is given to wear for a certain amount of time to sustain the result for long period of time.

There are plenty other options in braces itself designed for the convenience of the patients, so you can ask your dentist and choose the option according to your wish.

1.    Metallic braces

The brackets are metal in nature and the wire itself is also metal so hence they are known as Metal braces. They are most conventional and least expensive orthodontic treatment compared to other options that is why it’s more the popular and chosen Orthodontic Treatment for misaligned teeth.

2.    Ceramic braces

 Ceramic braces are known for their brackets color being same as teeth color so they are partially not visible. The wire is inserted into these brackets held by elastics to apply the pressure. These are most widely accepted and favorable choice of treatment.

The ceramic braces blend nicely with teeth and are equally efficient like metal braces. The ceramic braces come in many shades therefore making it interesting treatment for kids and teenagers.

3.    Lingual braces

Lingual braces totally invisible as they are placed on the inside of teeth irrespective of other braces which are placed on outside of teeth. These types of braces are completely invisible but it comes with its own disadvantages and advantages. These braces are irritating to tongue as they are on inside and only few people opt for Lingual braces.

4.    Invisalign Braces/ Smile aligners

Invisalign Braces are new concept in the field of orthodontics. These are actually not braces but plastic clear trays those are removable and causes very less discomfort to the patient. They generally go under the name of ALIGNERS and patients having simple cases of crooked teeth are easily treated by them.

The trays have to be changed multiple times by an orthodontist after a certain period of time to achieve the final result.

Inman Aligner: How Does It Straighten the Teeth?

More and more people are getting the Inman Aligner advantage and when it comes to correcting the front teeth, it has become a favorite among a growing number of dentists. What is Inman Aligner and how does it straighten your teeth? Find out today from Dr. Gun Norell, our Inman Aligner Specialist at Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, Dubai.

What is the Inman Aligner?

Inman Aligner is a simple, removable appliance that can quickly and safely align and straighten the front 6 upper/lower front teeth. The Inman Aligner is perfect as a standalone treatment or to correct alignment of the teeth prior to other cosmetic procedures like boding or veneers.

How does it work?

The Inman Aligner has one buccal and one lingual bow that "push" the teeth into right position with light and steady forces.

Is it comfortable to wear?

For the first 3-4 days you might experience soreness or tenderness in the mouth and/or increased salivation. After this initial period of time, patients say that it becomes more comfortable. How often should a patient wear it? Does the amount of time it is being worn affects it’s effectively? You need to wear the Inman Aligners for 16-20 hours/day. General rule of thumb is the more hours the aligners are worn, the faster the treatment and the less hours, the slower the treatment.

How different is the Inman Aligner from the other orthodontic alternatives?

Inman Aligner is a compromised orthodontic treatment since it can only move the front upper and/or lower 6 teeth. But it is faster and cheaper than fixed braces or clear aligners like Invisalign. All treatment with Inman Aligner is evaluated and planned by the computer to know exactly how much space we need to create or close. Every patient is presented with a 3D printed model (after treatment) before the treatment.

Who is a candidate for the Inman Aligner?

All patients – no matter the age that present following:

a.       Healthy teeth and gums

b.      Upper/lower front teeth with mild/moderate crowding and differential wear

c.       Relapse from earlier Dental Courses in India due to failed retention

d.      For busy people who cannot wear orthodontic appliance since Inman Aligner can easily be removed for an important meeting/phone call

e.       Preferably do 1 arch at the time and if you only need to treat upper or lower teeth

How long does a general case take?

Most of my cases take between 6-12 weeks.

What can patients expect when they start wearing it?

How fast it works without pain and what a beautiful smile you can create.

What’s involved in the treatment?

After the first assessment to verify if you are suitably for Inman Aligner treatment:

1.      Impressions and photos are taken.

2.      Discussion with the patient which tooth is in most favorably position, etc.

3.      Measure the width of one tooth for calibration.

At the day of fitting the Inman Aligner:

1.      Instructions given how to insert/remove the Inman Aligner

2.      Place the composite "tags" to keep the bow in right place.

3.      If needed create space by "stripping" between the teeth with very thin diamond strips.

How should patients care for the aligners?

Brush with toothbrush and toothpaste and keep it in the yellow container box when not in use.

Do patients need retainers at the end of the treatment? If so, what kind of retainers are they? And how long should they be worn?

You will always need a retainer after all kind of orthodontic treatment as long you want your teeth to stay aligned. For best results and maintenance post-treatment, I prefer a fixed multi-strained retainer glued to the back of your teeth.

How often are the visits to the dentist?

I see my patients for regular check-ups every 2-3 weeks. Once treatment is complete, I see them every six months to make sure the retainer is in perfect condition.