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Type of Braces/Appliances

Orthodontic Appliances

Here at Dr Bansal’s Dental Club, we are proud to offer many types of appliances for our patients so that they can have the smile they deserve.

Since each smile is different, we will make an individualized treatment plan depending on your and your child’s needs. We can use one appliance or a variety of them.

Our in-house Orthodontist (MDS, PGI, Chandigarh) Dr Ajay bansal with his experience of more than 3000 cases can suggest you from the variety of orthodontic treatment options available.

 

Types of Appliances

There are basically two types of orthodontic appliances

  • Fixed
  • Removable

Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

The most common devices used in Orthodontics. They are used when precision is important. Although the patient can eat normally with fixed appliances, some foods and drinks need to be avoided, such as sticky foods, hard sweets, or toffee. Examples of fixed orthodontic appliances include:

Braces (Metal and Ceramic)

Consisting of brackets and/or wires and bands. Patient has to see the dentist once in 4-6 weeks, so that the braces can be adjusted. The treatment course may last from several months to a number of years depending upon the severity of malocclusion and the patient’s cooperation.

Fixed Space Maintainers

If the child loses milk teeth, a space maintainer will stop the two teeth at either side of the spaces from moving into it until the adult tooth comes through.

Special Fixed Appliances

These may be recommended to control tongue thrusting or thumb sucking.

 

Braces | Metal / Ceramic / Self Ligating

Metal braces are the most common type of braces for orthodontic patients. Today’s metal braces are much smaller, flatter, and more comfortable than in the past. Patients of all ages choose metal braces to help them achieve straight, beautiful smiles. These are made of metal and hence are visible on the teeth, however they are most affordable

Ceramic braces are popular than the traditional braces. Same size and shape but are tooth colored. and are very popular amongst school and college going students specially Girls, due to their invisibility. They are more Esthetic and hence expensive than Metal Braces

Self- Locking Braces have a self locking mechanism built into them hence do not require elastic ties to keep the wire in place. This makes the movement of teeth frictionless and the treatment time shorter. They are available in both metal and ceramic and are expensive than conventional braces

 

Removable Orthodontic Appliances

These are typically used for treating minor problems, such as preventing thumb sucking or correcting slightly crooked teeth or as an adjunct to Fixed Orthodontic Therapy. They should only be taken out when cleaning, eating or flossing.

Examples of removable appliances include:

Aligners / Invisalign

An option instead of traditional braces for adult patients. They are virtually unnoticeable by other people and can be taken out when patients brush their teeth, floss, or eat.

Orthodontic aligners can straighten a dental patient’s teeth without the wires and brackets of traditional braces. The aligners consist of a sequence of clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth to straighten them and are most esthetic and do not require sticking braces on the teeth.. Each tray must be worn by the patient for a specified amount of time—usually around 16 – 20 hours a day for two weeks–before the patient can progress to the next tray. In most situations, the aligners can straighten teeth in anywhere from six to 12 –24 months.

Orthodontic aligners are suitable for patients with mild or moderate crowding, or minor spacing issues. They may not be appropriate for patients with severe crowding or spacing.

Unlike traditional braces, the trays can be removed for brushing, flossing, and eating. Because the trays are clear, patients can undergo this type of orthodontic treatment without the usual discomfort associated with regular braces.

Orthodontic aligners have more advantages over the traditional braces as they are more comfortable, removable, and lesser visits as compared to the traditional braces.

Headgear

Headgear is often used for overbites, when the upper jaw sticks out further than the lower one. It can also be used to help the underbites, when the lower jaw sticks out further than the upper one. Headgear is not as common as it used to be, though there are many times when it is very helpful.

Habit-breaker appliances

They are used to help deter thumb sucking, Tongue Thrusting etc. These can also help correct poor tongue posture. Children need to keep their lips closed and their tongue at the roof of their mouth so that it works.

Lip & Cheek Bumpers
Specially made to relieve the pressure of cheeks or lips on the teeth.

Palatal Expander
Palatal expanders are used when the upper jaw is not wide enough. They put pressure on the upper molars every time they are adjusted until the upper jaw is as wide as needed.

Removable Space Maintainers
An alternative to fixed space maintainers.

Splints (jaw repositioning appliances)
Splints are commonly used for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) syndrome.

 

Elastics are commonly used. They are rubber bands and are used along with braces. They are used to make sure that the upper and lower teeth fit properly. However, it is very important that your child wear them correctly or the treatment won’t work the way that it should.

Spacers or separators are used to keep teeth apart. They are used to move your child’s teeth so that we can place orthodontic bands. Once your child gets bands, the spacers or separators will be removed. Many children complain of some discomfort but that should go away in a few days.

 

Retainers are commonly used. They come in many different designs, depending on your needs. Some must stay in while others are removable. No matter what type of retainer, they are all used to keep your teeth in the correct position after being straightened. Your child needs to wear his or her retainer regularly and as instructed so that it does the job it is supposed to. You probably spent a lot of money fixing your child’s teeth so you should want to keep them that way.

 

Retainer Instructions

  • Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
  • Take your retainers out when eating and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
  • Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors.
  • When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
  • Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
  • Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, Contact Us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
  • Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
  • Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care they will last for years!
  • Remove retainers when swimming.
  • Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

 

For beautiful smiles with all the treatment modalities present under a roof visit Dr Bansal’s Dental Club, Zirakpur.

 

All these options are capable of producing the desired results, however each has its own advantages and indications. Dr Ajay Bansal after analysis of your case will suggest you the particular treatment that is good for you.

 

Our dentists are skilled at determining the treatment plan your child needs. If you have any questions about any of our appliances, don’t hesitate to Contact Us today.