The final wire is the largest, stiffest, and has the ability to be bent. This wire allows for fine detailing through minor wire bends.
There are three general stages of braces and Invisalign treatment: the planning stage, the active stage, and the retention stage.
Stainless steel wires have been used for decades due to their high strength. In addition, stainless steel wires do not rust and can be adjusted many different ways by the orthodontist without breaking.
Straightened Out:
Just like the spacing issue, your teeth need to be fully aligned and straight in order to have your braces removed. If you are noticing that your teeth are aligned and free from spaces, it's likely closer to the end of your treatment.
Before your braces can come off, you'll first need to go through a final orthodontic exam. Your orthodontist will check your X-rays, bite alignment, and the overall health of your teeth and gums. If everything is satisfactory, they'll move forward with removing your braces.
Note that power chain braces are typically used toward the end of treatment. In essence, they're not technically braces but rather connected ligatures used in place of single elastics.
Orthodontic wires are only active for 6-10 weeks depending on the wire. Thus, missing appointments may set you behind schedule to get your braces off.
A thicker wire is stronger, which usually creates more movement in the teeth than a thinner wire. Arch wires are often switched out at your follow-up appointments to change the tension on the teeth.
That can be anywhere from every six weeks to every two months. It might be necessary to take more images of your mouth and teeth so your orthodontist can see the whole picture (and show you the difference!) In the middle of care, it becomes easier and easier to notice the difference with your teeth.
The first 1-2 weeks when you wear braces, you are not used to the pulling force of the bowstring, you may experience pain and dullness.
Most of the time, the most painful orthodontic sensations that people are afraid of is getting their braces put on and having them taken off. As far as getting them put on, braces do not cause pain. However, the tension between your teeth or under orthodontic bands can cause some soreness later in the day.
The average orthodontic treatment falls somewhere between 16-18 months, but can sometimes take as long as 24 months, or even more. Be wary of promises from anyone who says you can have a straight smile in only six months.
When Do You Start Wearing Rubber Bands With Braces? Patients typically begin wearing elastic bands about four to six months into their braces treatment, so you don't have to worry about wearing them over the entire length of your treatment plan.
Appointment/wire changing intervals: every 6 to 7 weeks.
Orthodontists do braces in stages rather than applying them in one appointment. In the beginning, the wires exert a lot of pressure on your teeth. This pressure keeps decreasing with time. Hence, to keep the pressure on your teeth maintained, you need to tighten braces regularly.
A permanent retainer is a thin, fixed wire positioned behind the top and/or teeth so it is invisible to look at a patient. The retainer is adhered to the back of the teeth with cement similar to how braces are fixed to the front of your teeth. Only an orthodontist or dentist should remove a fixed retainer.
How Long Do Braces Hurt After Tightening? This is completely unique to the individual but normally patients experience slight discomfort for 1-3 days after the appointment. After the first six months of having your braces fitted, soreness and discomfort tends to reduce after each appointment.
The minimum time to wear braces can be as little as several months to fix a basic crooked tooth or spacing issue through to 36 months for both metal braces and ceramic braces. Ceramic braces use tooth-coloured brackets and arch wires so they are less conspicuous than metal braces.
If you have minor dental issues, your dentist will initially suggest wearing retainers full-time for 2-3 months. But you might have to wear your retainers for over 6 months if you have severe dental problems. However, the good news is that you do not have to wear your retainers forever.
Once your braces are off, your orthodontic team may take some X-Rays and photos to place in your patient record. You will also receive a retainer soon after your brackets and wires are removed. A retainer's job is to prevent your teeth from drifting back out of place.
Usually, you will not wear power chains the entire length of your treatment. Once the extra gap has been closed enough to match the rest of your teeth, your braces treatment can proceed without the power chains.
Braces can be removed early if a patient absolutely insists, but there are many downsides to this decision. For starters, incomplete treatment may leave your overall dental health and tooth alignment worse than it was before you started.
Total 32 brackets, one on each tooth, are bonded using the bonding cement. This is how the foundation of braces in established. Make sure your dentist is using the right bonding cement and right brackets as this will be super important for your treatment.