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Dental Braces Definition

Dental braces align a patient's teeth according to the person's bite. Dental braces often correct underbites, overbites, crooked teeth and other problems. Many times orthodontists use braces in conjunction with other devices to widen jaws or shape the teeth. Dental braces are most commonly seen in teenagers, although adults and children may need them as well.

  1. History

    • Normal W. Kingsley, a dentist from the late 1800s and writer of the first article on orthodontics, wrote "Treatise on Oral Deformities," which influenced the dental world. J. N. Farrar, another popular dentist during this time, also wrote two books about dental work. Farrar was the first dentist to use force to move teeth and designed many dental braces.

    Function

    • In dental braces, the arch wire pushes and pulls teeth in certain directions to create a stress in the alignment. Each tooth moves about 1 mm every month; however, some move faster and others slower. Dental braces vary in efficiency. Therefore, patients may experience a range of responses.

    Traditional Braces

    • The most common braces are made of stainless steel. These dental braces use special ties to hold the arch wire into place. Some use self-ligating self-tying brackets. These brackets reduce friction between the bracket slots and the wires.

    Other Types

    • Clear braces blend in with your teeth; they are made out of ceramic or plastic and function the same as traditional stainless steel braces. Gold-plated steel braces are available for patients who are allergic to nickel. Lingual braces function like traditional braces but these dental braces go behind the teeth instead of in front. The downside to lingual braces is that they can hinder the movement of the tongue. Clear aligners are used for minor teeth straightening.

    Complications

    • With dental braces, plaque can easily form around them. Patients need to take extra care of their teeth while in braces. Patients may experience pain when eating during the first few days and may develop mouth sores due to skin irritation. Removal of the braces can also cause some pain for those with sensitive teeth.

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