What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment includes, the prevention, interception and treatment of non-ideal tooth positions (teeth which are crooked, protruded, etc.). Modern Orthodontics, however, reaches beyond the teeth, to the very jaws that contain them. Mismatches in the size and position of the jaws can be corrected if the patient is seen in her/his growing years.
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What is the ideal age for orthodontic treatment?
There is no rule of thumb. Advances in treatment modalities make us do a re-think on the old adage of waiting for all the permanent teeth to erupt before consulting an orthodontist. At the other end of the spectrum, an increasing number of adults are opting for limited or complete orthodontic treatment.
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What is the length of treatment?
Complete orthodontic treatment with fixed braces, usually lasts two years. This is a general approximation. Several variables beyond the control of the orthodontist like regularity of elastic wear, maintenance of the orthodontic appliance, regularity of appointments, etc. significantly influence the length of treatment. Treatment is usually followed by a period of retention.
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What is retention?
Following active orthodontic treatment, a period of retention is almost always required. During this period, teeth and surrounding tissues are allowed to settle in their new positions, in a controlled manner. The length of retention varies widely; sometimes lifetime retention is required. Patient compliance with instructions during this period are particularly critical in determining the success (or otherwise) of treatment.
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Is there any guarantee that my teeth will be straight?
Unfortunately no. Anybody who claims to tame nature is only fooling him/herself and others. But the improvement from the original condition is significant enough and permanent enough to warrant orthodontic treatment.
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Is orthodontic treatment painful?
Teeth often feel 'sore' in the first few days of treatment and also after activations of the appliance. This soreness is akin to the soreness you feel in your muscles when you work out after ages. It can't really be called pain, but rather, a tenderness. Modern pain killers are effective enough to take care of this problem. A lot also depends on the pain threshold of the patient and their attitude to treatment.
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Are extractions a must for orthodontic treatment?
Absolutely not. In the days gone by maybe, but these days, every attempt is made to treat without unnecessary loss of teeth.
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What happens to the spaces created by extracting teeth?
Although they look frighteningly large at the outset, these spaces close over the course of orthodontic treatment. No, they don't disappear into thin air. The orthodontist uses the space to correct the positions of the teeth.
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Does orthodontic treatment weaken teeth?
Not if done by a qualified and skilled orthodontist. It is important that the patient shouldn't pressurize the teeth to complete the treatment as soon as possible. This is done by applying greater than optimal force on the tooth/teeth which can lead to weakening the tooth/teeth. Such pressure tactics are typically seen in cases of 'matrimonial orthodontics' and rarely leads to satisfying results.
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What is relapse?
No matter how well the treatment is done, no matter how perfect your teeth look on the day your braces are removed, once the appliances are removed, some amount of change towards the original condition is inevitable. This is called relapse. The patient plays a huge role in minimising relapse, by wearing the retainers religiously, as prescribed by the orthodontist. The age at which treatment is done can affect the amount of relapse. Generally, older the patient, greater the amount of relapse. If a large amount of relapse is certain, permanent retention may be the solution.
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My gums have become dark following orthodontic treatment. Why?
There is no substance in this statement. The fact is, people become much more aware of their teeth and appearance during the course of treatment. They then notice the colour of their gums, also called pigmentation. Like skin colour, gum colour varies greatly from person to person. Sometimes a darkening of gum colour is seen during treatment due to hormonal changes. But this is coincidental to the treatment, not because of it.
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Do I have to live on soft food during treatment?
Not at all. You can eat practically normally. You only need to avoid a few food items like hard candy, peanuts, chikki, aerated drinks, etc. You also need to change the way you eat (a bit). For instance, instead of biting into an apple, you need to slice it before you eat it. But only soft foods and soups, absolutely not.
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How often do I need to visit the orthodontist during treatment?
Once again, there is no rule of thumb. Those undergoing treatment with fixed appliances generally need to come in every 5-6 weeks, once the appliances are on. With removable appliances you need to come in a bit more often. Once you are in retention, you need to come in once in three months. Those with fixed retainers can make do with yearly visits.
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What if I need to take a vacation?
No problem. Since your appointments are usually, once every 5-6 weeks, most vacations are covered in this period. Even if you are away longer, it isn't usually a problem. You need to take extra care not to damage your appliance during your vacation, you may not find an orthodontist handy.
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If I move to another city/country during treatment, can I continue treatment there?
This shouldn't be a problem, unless you are moving to a really remote location. Just make sure to carry a letter of referral from your orthodontist and also any records taken at the start of treatment, such as radiographs, study models, etc.
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Does orthodontic treatment cause cavities in my teeth/ does it lead to discolouration of my teeth?
The questions are related. It is important for the patient to keep his/her teeth spotlessly clean during treatment. Failure to do so can lead to food particles and plaque collecting next to the appliances. Bacteria which thrive in such media cause caries and discolouration, not the appliance/treatment itself.
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What are retainers and how do they work?
Retainers are appliances that maintain, or retain the position of the bite and teeth. Your treatment includes one set of retainers. After your treatment you will be expected to wear the retainers full time for three to six months. After that time you will wear your retainers at night only. If you fail to wear the retainers as directed, your teeth could relapse. Retreatment due to poor compliance is not included in the treatment fee.
At this point, it is up to you to keep your teeth looking great. For this reason great care should be taken when handling your retainers. If they are lost or broken, there is a fee to replace each one.
Periodic retainer checks will be scheduled for 1 year after the braces are removed. This is included in the treatment fee.
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What are separators?
Separators are small elastic bands that are placed in between the teeth to be banded. Discomfort from them, if any, would be limited to the first two to three days. If needed, over the counter products like Tylenol or Advil can be used to control the soreness. If the serperators are lost, they must be replaced at least two days before the appliance delivery appointment. This will allow for enough time for the space to develop and will make it much easier to properly fit the bands.
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What's decalcification?
Decalcification means permanent white scars that can be etched into the tooth enamel with improper home care. This is all to common with teeth that have "braces", but can be prevented by you!! Decalcification cannot be seen until the actual etching has occurred, and by then it's TOO LATE!!
It is absolutely mandatory to brush at least three times a day (after everything you eat would be best), and use your fluoride daily. Research on patients with braces shows that daily use of fluoride eliminates decalcification. Brushing is still needed after drinking anything other than water. Sugar and other food particles tend to sit along the gum line. The brackets / braces act as a shelf, allowing the build up of plaque, which also will cause decalcification. Onset of this problem can be quite rapid.
We appreciate your help and support in this area. We want you to have the most beautiful result possible, and not be disappointed when your braces when your braces come off by permanent white decalcification marks on your teeth.
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Abay Orthodontics
3305 E Douglas Ave # 201
Wichita, KS 67218 - 1025
phone: 316.686.4321