“I like these shiny things on your teeth, where can I get them?”- she asked.
Fixed orthodontic appliances commonly known as BRACES are used to correct malocclusions. Malocclusion is when the teeth are in abnormal occlusion. Crowding, spacing, rotated teeth, proclined anteriors, and anterior open bites are some of the causes of malocclusion. Braces are used to move the teeth in the desired direction needed to correct the abnormal occlusion. It is made up of a stainless-steel wire, bonded brackets, and ligature elastics.
Each component of Braces has targeted functions.
- Brackets are small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth that serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwires.
- Archwires are metal wires attached to the brackets to move the teeth.
- Bands are metal rings placed on the teeth to hold on parts of the braces.
- Buccal tubes are small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band which contains slots to hold archwires in place.
- Elastics or rubber bands help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite.
- The ligature elastics are used to secure the brackets and archwires to the teeth so that they can provide the necessary pressure to move the teeth.
The ligature elastics come in different colors. These colors have been noticed to be the center of attraction to people when they come in contact with an individual with braces fixed to their teeth. This is because it gives the illusion that there is a colorful shiny accessory on the teeth. To a layman, this illusion gives the notion that it is on the teeth for fashion, which is false.
Studies have shown that braces are usually associated with wealth, style, or as an alluring status symbol. Hence, the increase in use as a fashion statement. This has brought about the production of fake or fashion braces over the counter. These fake braces have no therapeutic effect on the teeth, they only serve as a fashion statement. Though knowledge is scarce, several reports have been made about the effect of the fake braces on the teeth.
With the above-described functions, it is important to note that fixing braces requires expertise and should be done by a certified orthodontist. For braces to be affixed, proper clinical assessment with radiographic investigation needs to be done. Braces cannot be gotten over the counter or from unqualified personnel.
Braces are not a fashion statement although the end goal of an orthodontic treatment is to achieve an esthetic appearance and improve the psychosocial well-being of the patient. Braces are a means of orthodontic treatment, not jewelry or a fashion statement.
“The shiny things on my teeth are called Braces and you can’t just get them without a proper clinical evaluation, you should see a certified dentist” I replied.
References
- https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-020-01224-1
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9907756/
Tags:
Dental Education