Braces (Conventional And Invisible)

Expect a tight feeling following the placement and adjustment of the braces. For 4 – 6 hours following the procedure, the tight feeling is likely to turn into a sore sensation, which is a result of the teeth being tightened into position by the arch wire.

To manage symptoms such as pain and soreness, you can turn to over-the-counter medications for pain relief. The symptoms should go away within 3 – 5 days.

The arch wires are held in place by elastic ties. However, over time, these ties stretch and weaken. This is why adjustments are necessary, as they ensure the creation of proper pressure, which is required for correcting the dental issues.

The orthodontist will also assess the progress of your teeth’s movement and suggest recommendations if necessary. Expect adjustment appointments to be scheduled every 3 – 10 weeks. During adjustment appointments, the elastic ties holding the braces in their proper places are removed. The removal of arch wires is also performed at this stage, which allows you to floss and brush your teeth thoroughly again.

Your K Family Dental orthodontist may also recommend new bands and wires, which are placed for the treatment to progress so your teeth continue to move. Following the adjustments, you may again feel symptoms like tightness and soreness, which you can manage by consuming over-the-counter pain relief medications.

While conventional braces are the better choice when it comes to treating complex bite problems and particular misalignment cases, invisible braces are better for the following conditions:

• Crooked teeth
• Widely spaced or crowded teeth
• Overjet or overbite

Additionally, invisible braces are more suited for adults and not recommended for children. These braces are more aesthetic compared to conventional braces, and they’re barely visible. There are 3 types of invisible braces:

• Inside braces or iBraces: Inside braces involve the creation of custom brackets on a computer after scanning the images of the teeth’s insides. Typically, these braces are attached to the lower teeth or the upper teeth’s insides.
• Clear or ceramic braces: These braces consist of composite materials, which are more brittle and weaker compared to metal brackets. These brackets require ligatures for holding them in place with the arch wire. Treatment times using these braces tend to be longer than metal braces, which are stronger.
• Clear aligners: Clear aligners are removable, custom-fit aligners that provide irritation-free treatment. The adjustment discomfort of these aligners is minimal as well. These aligners are also the best in terms of wear and tear, as they don’t experience clouding.