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Until recently, orthodontics was used mainly to straighten crooked teeth. Now, when problems are caught early enough, it is possible to alter the facial development of a growing child by using functional appliances on their teeth.

Other orthodontic appliances do not work with facial development, but do move teeth and correct malocclusions.  An appliance called a "space maintainer" is used in those occurrences when a baby tooth has been lost and the permanent tooth is not due to come in soon.  The space maintainers save a place for the permanent tooth.  The illustration above shows how a space maintainer is keeping the molar from shifting forward.

Braces are used to correct a bad bite once most of the permanent teeth are in.  Prior to the 1980's, the materials used for braces consisted of a steel band that encapsulated each individual tooth like a ring.  The wire used to pull the teeth into line was attached to a small bracket on the front of the steel bands. These style braces of old gave one the appearance of having a mouth full of metal! 

Today, these bands have been replaced with brackets that are bonded with an adhesive directly to the front of each tooth.  These style bands are much more comfortable, substantially smaller, and much less noticeable than the bands of old.  For much less noticeable applications, also available are clear sapphire brackets, but these are usually more expensive and more difficult to keep clean.

To connect the brackets, a stainless steel wire continues to be used, and different sizes provide pressure to move the teeth.  Elastics that are available in a broad variety of colors are used to hold the wire in place.  Special elastic bands may be added to speed up tooth movement; plus, additional wires and attachments may be used in more difficult cases.

The process of straightening teeth with braces involves "moving these teeth through bone". Your bone responds to the tension created by the brackets and wires by developing special cells on each side of the tooth.  These cells remove bone on one side of the tooth and develop bone on the opposite side. This phenomenon is what allows the tooth to move.

The time a child spends in braces depends on the severity of the malocclusion, but it is usually between one and three years.   Once your child's braces have been installed, it is much more difficult to clean their teeth; thus, regular cleaning appointments are substantially more important than before.  If one does not practice good dental hygiene while wearing braces, permanent white stains may form on the teeth if plaque isn't removed regularly.

Following removal of the braces, retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new alignment.  Some retainers are designed to be removable, while others are cemented in place.  With orthodontic treatment, one is never too old to improve their smile and the health of their mouth.

Successful orthodontic treatment is a partnership of effort between everyone involved. Through a cooperative effort, the final goal can be reached - a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.

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