Orthodontics (Braces)
Why Do People Need Braces Treatment?
Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). Ideally, all upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth. The points of the molars fit the grooves of the opposite molar. The upper teeth keep the cheeks and lips from being bitten and the lower teeth protect the tongue.
Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly. Malocclusion is most often hereditary, which means the condition is passed down through families. Others might be due to skeletal and dental in origin. Habits like thumb sucking, mouth breather and tongue thrust do contribute to small percentage of malocclusion.
Here are some common problems that need orthodontic treatment:
1. Crowding. This occurs when the dental arch is unable to accommodate all of the teeth. . There may be a difference between the size of the upper and lower jaws or between jaw and tooth size, resulting in overcrowding of teeth. An individual with crowded teeth might have one tooth overlapping a portion of another or multiple teeth overlapping each other.
2. Spacing between teeth. Large spaces can be due to a missing tooth or can occur when the teeth donai??i??t properly fill the mouth. Spacing is often due to tooth and jaw size discrepancy.
3. Increase overjet and overbite. This is when the upper teeth (generally the front teeth) tend to protrude or clearly stick out farther than the teeth below. Many call this ai???buck teethai???.
4. Reverse overjet. This happen when the bottom teeth sit farther forward than the top teeth.
5. Open Bite refers to the space between surfaces of an individualai??i??s front teeth and/or the individualai??i??s side teeth when bringing the back teeth together or biting down. Open bite patients are unable to use front teeth to bite. It is commonly associated with childhood habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, prolonged used of pacifier beyond age of three. Open bite due to skeletal problem is usually difficult to treat and the results might not be stable.
6. Crossbite. This is when the top teeth fail to come down a little in front of the bottom teeth during a normal bite. Crossbite can occur either on the front teeth(anterior crossbite) or back teeth (posterior crossbite) or both front and back teeth.
7. Misplaced midline. This is when the midpoint of an individualai??i??s top front teeth fails to properly match up with the midpoint of the bottom front teeth and/or midline of the face.
8. Extra teeth, lost teeth, impacted teeth, or abnormally shaped teeth.
9. Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate.
How Dentist Going To Attend To Me If I Have Malocclusion?
Most problems with teeth alignment are discovered during routine dental check up. Patients that need orthodontic treatment are diagnosed with the help of dental x-rays (Panoramic Radiograph) and skull x-rays (Lateral Cephalometric Radiograph). Plaster moulds of the teeth are often taken.
Braces or other appliances may be used to correct the position of malalign teeth. Metal or ceramic brackets are attached to the surface of the teeth. Wires or springs apply force to the teeth. Damon braces is the system used in this clinic. The DamonAi?? System of low-friction passive self-ligating brackets, hi-tech light-force archwires and minimally invasive treatment protocols is clinically proven system to deliver remarkable advantages for our patients.
One or more teeth may need to be removed if overcrowding is part of the problem. Rough or irregular teeth may be adjusted down, reshaped, and bonded or capped. Misshapen restorations and dental appliances should be repaired.
When the braces are first bonded to the teeth, discomfort and soreness of the teeth may happen. Appliances may cause irritation to the mouth and gums temporarily. Chewing or speaking difficulty may also be part of the problems. Usually, all these conditions will improve in 5-7 days.
It is important to brush and floss your teeth every day and have regular scaling and dental check with dentist when you are on treatment. Plaque accumulation on braces may permanently mark teeth or cause tooth decay if not properly cared for.
Avoid chewy and sticky foods, crunchy foods (popcorn or ice) and do not chew on hard foods (nuts). If you happen to break a bracket, save it, call our offices immediately, schedule an appointment as soon as possible and bring the bracket with you to the appointment!
Treatment may last 6 months to 2 or more years, depending on the severity of the case. Retainers (used to stabilize the teeth) may be required for an indefinite time to maintain the new position of the teeth after finish of orthodontic treatment.
Besides aesthetic reason, by treating moderate or severe malocclusion, the teeth are easier to clean and there is less risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases (gingivitis or periodontitis). Treatment eliminates strain on the teeth, jaws, and muscles, which lessens the risk of breaking a tooth and may reduce symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders.
Are Damon Braces Really Better Than Regular Braces?
ai???Is damon braces really better than regular bracesai??? this was the actual phrase when patients come into our clinic enquiring orthodontic treatment. The fast answer: YES they are better!
Damon braces are considered to be the ai???new generationai??? braces. In our clinic, we doesnai??i??t use the regular ones for some years already. Damon brackets are similar to conventional braces: you still have metal brackets bonded to your teeth and a wire is used to align your teeth. It can be used to treat even the most severe cases of crowding, overbites, underbites, and even crossbites. The difference is Damon brackets are self ligating. It holds the wire without the use of elastics.
In order for a doctor to be able to work with Damon, he/she needs to be accredited. And now, back to the subject at hand: why the Damon braces are better than the regular ones.
1. No ligatures the self-ligating system on the brackets make Damon better. You donai??i??t need ligatures on your brackets. Conventional braces hold the wire into the brackets with individual elastics. This causes tension on the wire that moves your teeth. One problem that arises is that the elastics eventually get loose. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the wire, which allows teeth to move more freely, quickly, comfortably and mostly important less pain!
Damon System using slide slot to hold archwire
2. Smaller brackets. The brackets themselves are smaller. Therefore, more comfortable against your lips and cheeks. Because they are smaller, they are also less noticeable. Recently, Damon Clear is available in our clinic. Damon Clear is totally transparent making orthodontic treatment invisible!
The Damon Difference. Compared side by side with conventional metal braces (right), Damon brackets (left) is relatively smaller.
3. Less cases for extractions/surgery. There are cases reported when the Damon system can solve malocclusion without the need for extractions. Sure, it does depend on individual cases. Still there are patients with problems that canai??i??t be solved other than having extractions. Damon System can solve majority of malaligned teeth by providing lateral expansion of the arch without the use of RPEs or headgear.
4. Faster treatment, fewer appointments. With the Damon System of braces, treatment time is typically 6 months shorter than with conventional braces. And shorter treatment time means fewer appointments and a beautiful smile…faster. You may be surprised at how fast it works. After 3-4 appointments, majority of our patients will have teeth looked amazing already.
5. Easy to keep clean. Damon braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable and easy to keep clean. Without the elastic ties that can collect plaque, Damon braces make dental hygiene easier during treatment.
The Damon braces do cost slightly more than the regular braces but the extra-ordinary results that it produces are priceless. Damon braces use the ideas that made the regular ones work nice for years, but offer faster results, with less ai???equipmentai??? needed (not ligatures on the brackets), with a better aspect and more discreet brackets. If you can afford Damon, I do advise you to go on this route. Regular braces do work nicely, but Damon does work BETTER.
Outstunning Results (Case 1)
Before: Orthodontic treatment with Damon System.
After: Treatment completed in 16 months without extractions. Beautiful results with acceptable facial profile.
Outstunning Results (Case 2)
Before: Multiple missing upper front teeth treated with Damon braces.
After: Treatment completed in 19 months.