DENTAL BRACES/ORTHODONTIC BRACES

noreply@blogger.com (KARANPAL SINGH) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:15:51 PDT

BRACES

Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces) are a device

used in orthodontics to correct alignment of teeth and their position with regard to bite. Braces are often used to correct malocclusions such as underbites, overbites, cross bites and open bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural. Orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to widen the palate or jaws, create spaces between teeth, or otherwise shape the teeth and jaws. Most orthodontic patients are children or teenagers, however, recently, more adults have been seeking orthodontic treatment.

HOW BRACES WORK

Teeth move through the use of force. The force applied by the archwire pushes the tooth in a particular direction and a stress is created within the periodontal ligament. The modification of the periodontal blood supply determines a biological response which leads to bone remodelling, where bone is created on one side by osteoblast cells and resorbed on the other side by osteoclasts.
Two different kinds of bone resorption are possible. Direct resorption, starting from the lining cells of the alveolar bone, and indirect or retrograde resorption, where osteoclasts start their activity in the neighbour bone marrow. Indirect resorption takes place when the periodontal ligament has become acellular (necrosis or hyalinization), for an excessive amount and duration of compressive stress. In this case the quantity of bone resorbed is larger than the quantity of newly formed bone (negative balance). Bone resorption only occurs in the compressed periodontal ligament. Another important phenomenon associated with tooth movement is bone deposition. Bone deposition occurs in the distracted periodontal ligament. Without bone deposition, the tooth will loosen and voids will occur distal to the direction of tooth movement.
A tooth will usually move about a millimeter per month during orthodontic movement, but there is high individual variability. Orthodontic mechanics can vary in efficiency, thus explaining a wide range of response to orthodontic treatment

COMPLICATIONS AND RISK

Plaque forms easily when food is retained in and around braces. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly when wearing braces to prevent tooth decay, decalcification, or unpleasant color changes to the teeth.
There is a small chance of allergic reaction to the latex rubber in elastics or to the metal used in braces. Latex-free elastics and alternative metals can be used instead. It is important for those who believe that they are allergic to their braces to notify the orthodontist immediately.
Mouth sores may be triggered by irritation from components of the braces. Many products can increase comfort, including oral rinses, dental wax or dental silicone, and products to help heal sores.
Braces can also be damaged if proper care is not taken. It is important to wear a mouthguard to prevent breakage when playing sports. Chewing gum and certain sticky or hard foods, such as raw carrots, large hard pretzels, and toffee should be avoided because they can damage braces. Frequent damage to braces can prolong treatment.
In the course of treatment orthodontic brackets may pop off due to the forces involved, or due to cement weakening over time. The orthodontist should be contacted immediately for advice if this occurs. In most cases the bracket is replaced.
When teeth move, the end of the arch wire may become displaced, causing it to poke the back of the patient's cheek. Dental wax can be applied to cushion the protruding wire. The orthodontist must be called immediately to have it clipped, or a painful mouth ulcer may form. If the wire is causing severe pain, it may be necessary to carefully bend the edge of the wire in with a spoon or other piece of equipment (i.e. tweezers) until the wire can be clipped by an orthodontist.
Patients with periodontal disease usually must obtain periodontal treatment before getting braces. A deep cleaning is performed, and further treatment may be required before beginning orthodontic treatment. Bone loss due to periodontal disease may lead to tooth loss during treatment.
In some cases, teeth may be loose for a prolonged period of time. One may be able to wiggle one's teeth for a year or two after treatment or longer.
The dental displacement obtained with the orthodontic appliance determines in most cases some degree of root resorption. Only in a few cases is this side effect large enough to be considered real clinical damage to the tooth. In rare cases, the teeth may fall out or have to be extracted due to root resorption.[1][2]
Pain is common after adjustment and may cause difficulty eating for a time, often several days. During this period, eating soft foods can help avoid additional pressure on teeth.
The metallic look may not be desirable to some people, although transparent varieties are available. However, transparent braces usually do not work as well as metallic ones. Transparent braces can also become undesirably stained or discolored by eating or drinking foods with dye in them.

TYPES OF BRACES

BRACES IN POPULAR CULTURE

For many children and teenagers, even those without severe bite problems, braces are simply a part of growing up. There is a growing number of adults (roughly 25% of brace patients are over 21) wearing braces to correct orthodontic issues.
Celebrities who have been spotted wearing functional braces in adulthood include Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani, Lil Bow Wow, Ashley Judd, Joan Cusack(as a kid), P!nk, Lee Ann Womack, Terrell Davis, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lila McCann, Lisa Bonet, Linda Gray, Emma Watson, Cher, Nancy Kissinger (wife of former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger), Brett Favre, Randy Moss,Fantasia,Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Kelly Clarkson, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Prince Harry, Kevin Mawae, Felton Spencer, Dwight Howard, Alyssa Milano, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Kyo of Dir en grey, Cristiano Ronaldo and University of Colorado head football coach Dan Hawkins. Paula Jones, who gained fame during the late 1990's for filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against then-President Bill Clinton, wore braces during the months when she was going through other physical and wardrobe changes.
Wearing braces as a fashion statement, rather than from medical necessity, appears to catch on among the young in some parts of the world. In 2006, the media reported that wearing fake braces had become a teen fad in Thailand, and authorities considered punishing sellers of fake braces with six months in prison or a $1,300 fine. [1] A similar fad has occurred in the Philippines, though it has caught on with everyone of all ages, teenagers and the elderly alike; dental braces are a sign of wealth in the Philippines. This is not dissimilar to obesity being coveted in some places of the Third World, as it is also an indicator of some wealth.

DENTAL PROBLEMS

noreply@blogger.com (KARANPAL SINGH) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:55:59 PDT

Rampant Caries

RAMPANT CARIES is also known as Baby Bottle Caries.

The commonest cause of almost all the teeth of a young Toddler getting infected is the prolonged use of the feeding bottle.

The bottle is used as a pacifier rather than a feeder. The milk remains in the mouth for long periods of time and as it ferments in the mouth, the teeth also get infected.

Unfortunately, most of children are not treated timely. They usually need to be given a General Anesthetic in a hospital setting and then treated.

Treating this kind of infection is extremely vital. The milk teeth act as space maintainers for the permanent teeth that have yet to erupt. Delay in treatment causes infections requiring repeated administration of Antibiotics.

This is a situation that can be avoided by timely treratment of the child.

DENTISTRY

DENTAL BRACES/ORTHODONTIC BRACES

DENTAL PROBLEMS