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Orthodontics
What are Orthodontics?
Orthodontics are dental implants that consist of sets of wires and brackets. Brackets are attached to the teeth and connected to cross wires via elastic bands. Orthodontic implants are often referred to as orthodontic braces or simply as braces.
What do Orthodontics do?
Orthodontics serve the primary purpose of adjusting improper bites. These bites may be caused by tooth malformations or misalignment, or they may be due to natural jaw physiology. By slowly adjusting the spacing and orientation of the teeth over an extended period of time, orthodontics work to correct these issues and to achieve both cosmetic benefits and more serious health benefits.
What are the advantages of Orthodontics over similar treatments?
Due to the great success of orthodontics in correcting a wide array of different tooth and jaw issues, there are few other types of treatments used for these problems. Orthodontics are remarkably reliable and produce excellent results. The downsides to using them are few and include some pain and discomfort throughout treatment, but no lasting or permanent damage to the teeth or mouth. Orthodontics provide a wide array of different implant designs, including those that are designed to be nearly unnoticeable.
Who is a candidate for Orthodontics?
Orthodontics patients are most commonly adolescents. It is easiest to make use of the benefits of orthodontics before the adult teeth have fully grown into the mouth and set in place. Therefore, children or adolescents who are growing adult teeth are the most likely to benefit from these implants. Orthodontics may also be used on adult patients to help correct teeth that have adjusted gradually over time or to prevent motion in teeth. Orthodontic implants are not commonly used for young children.
What is the procedure like?
Before orthodontics are installed, most dentists will discuss the ultimate goals and benefits with their patients. This can be helpful in determining the type of orthodontics used. The initial fitting and installation of the orthodontics involves attaching the brackets to the teeth with dental cement and then fitting the cross wire over the brackets. The patient must routinely return to the dentist's office in order to make adjustments to the braces and to check on the growth and alignment of the teeth.
What are the results?
Orthodontics can help to straighten out a smile and provide both cosmetic and other health benefits. They may be helpful at reducing jaw pain or making speaking and eating easier. After the orthodontic braces are removed, typically after a period ranging from a few months to a couple of years, most patients will be instructed to wear a retainer periodically. These plastic inserts are designed to keep the teeth from moving after the orthodontics have been removed.
What are the risks?
Provided that the patient maintains good hygiene and properly cleans the orthodontic braces, there are few risks. Orthodontics may also provide certain limitations on the types of foods and drinks that the patient can ingest.
| Braces | Lingual Braces | Retainers |
Dentists in Beverly Hills, CA
Dr. Kevin B. Sands, D.D.S.
Dr. Kevin B. Sands specializes in cosmetic dentistry, taking pride in offering the finest in patient care and services to each and every patient. He is determined to give you the smile you deserve! In fact, some of the most beautiful smiles in Hollywood have come through our doors. Dr. Kevin B. Sands has trained with some of the worlds most prominent cosmetic dental specialists. He is rapidly becoming known Beverly Hills leading cosmetic dentist for people ...
