Home / Braces
Back
Published: 06/23/2020
Reading time: 6 min
0
32
- 1 What do you need to know about arches for braces?
- 2 Braces scratch your cheek: what to do?
- 3 What to do if the archwire comes out of the bracket?
- 4 What to do to prevent braces from breaking?
- 5 The archwire flew out of the bracket, what should I do?
- 6 What to do?
- 7 If your teeth hurt
- 8 If the diction has changed
- 9 If the design scratches your cheeks or tongue
- 10 If a bracket falls off
- 11 How to insert an archwire into the last bracket
- 12 The tip of the arc has become very long
- 13 Treatment of damage to the oral mucosa.
- 14 Menu during orthodontic treatment
- 15 Expert opinion
- 16 The bracket fell off
- 17 Useful video
- 18 Problems and inconveniences during dental treatment
- 19 Problems with intermaxillary elastics
Braces scratch your cheek: what to do?
For sensitive and suspicious people, the answer to this question will be simple: “Consult a doctor!” But in fact, if braces scratch your cheek, then the intervention of an orthodontist is not always required; the discomfort can be eliminated on your own. Of course, this is only possible in the simplest cases. Let's take a closer look at them
You will have to look at it in the truest sense of the word - armed with a mirror and in good lighting. Calmly and carefully examine your mouth and braces: which part is causing you discomfort? Most often the problems are:
What can and cannot be eaten with braces?
This question worries every person undergoing or planning orthodontic treatment. In fact, only a small list of products are completely banned:
- Viscous and hard candies : toffees, nougat and so on. They can easily cause the braces to come off; in addition, the pieces get stuck in the equipment and are extremely difficult to remove. All types of nuts : there is a high probability of braces coming off with any careless movement. Chewing gum : gets stuck under the archwire and around the braces. Often this is the cause of peeling off. Rusks, crackers, hard cookies and gingerbreads, biscuits and other hard types of flour products Popcorn Bones (unexpected, isn’t it?)
In addition, you should be very careful with the following products (it is very difficult to clean residues from the braces system):
- Processed cheese Corn on the cob Bread and other soft flour products Chips Dried fruits Jerky
The following products can and should be eaten. But cutting into small pieces (about 1 cm in diameter), since when biting off solid food there is an extremely high risk of braces coming off!
- Fried meat Raw vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, etc.) Hard fruits (apples, pears, etc.) Sandwiches and Burgers Pizza Hard breads
What to do if the archwire comes out of the bracket?
The arch can protrude and injure the soft tissues in the oral cavity. This can be very painful and only a doctor can help. He will either trim the ends of the arc or replace the structure.
If the wire falls out of the lock, which is not the last one, then you will also need to see a doctor, and as soon as possible. This is necessary because in this case the arch has changed its position and, instead of benefit, can cause harm; the incorrect position of the entire structure will distort the results already achieved and lead to a prolongation of treatment.
The archwire flew out of the bracket, what should I do?
- Most often, thin wires used at the beginning of treatment fly out of the last braces. Experienced orthodontists know how to minimize such phenomena. In particular, the arch can be bent behind the last bracket; in addition, thin arches are often placed only up to the sixth teeth, since they often fly out of the tubes on the seventh teeth. If this trouble nevertheless happens to you, try in front of a mirror using tweezers or nail clippers (just don’t bite off the arch!) to tuck the arch into the tube on the last tooth: this manipulation is akin to threading a thread through the eye of a needle. If you can’t do it or you don’t want to acquire new skills, then contact your orthodontist, he will quickly fix the problem.
- The arch can also shift due to low friction in the system (primarily applies to self-ligating braces). In this case, the archwire protrudes from one side and slides out of the last bracket on the other side. This happens because the orthodontist either forgot to fix the stoppers on the arch, or they turned out to be ineffective for one reason or another. The problem is resolved in the same way as the first point.
- When closing gaps or correcting crowding of teeth, the length of the dentition decreases, but the length of the arch remains the same; accordingly, excess arch length appears behind the last braces. If the tip of the arch is large enough and pricks your cheek, then visit your orthodontist (by prior arrangement, of course), he will remove the excess arch in a couple of minutes. If the tips of the arch are visible, but do not seriously bother you, then do not worry and come to the next scheduled appointment, because this is a sign of progress in correcting the bite.
We suggest you read: Increased intracranial pressure, dry mouth
Installation of Damon braces
Before installing any brace system, including Damon, it is necessary to sanitize the patient’s oral cavity, during which the orthodontist will determine the presence of possible concomitant diseases and contraindications, based on which he will draw up a plan for further treatment.
After eliminating the pathologies that prevent the installation of the brace system, X-rays and impressions are taken to make a model of the jaw, correctly select the power arch, and also to subsequently compare the treatment result with the initial condition.
In our work we also use photo protocol. This means that we will capture your teeth before treatment begins, possibly during treatment, and certainly after. This procedure is necessary so that you can clearly evaluate the result of the work. Patients wear braces for more than a year, during which time they forget what their teeth looked like at the beginning. And in the before-after photographs the changes are clearly visible - here it is, happiness from the great work done together!
The locks of the structure are fixed using a light-curing compound. Next, the doctor installs the power arc into special grooves and secures it with latches. The final stage of installing the bracket system will be to create the necessary arch tension necessary for the correction process.
During the treatment process, it will be necessary to visit the orthodontist to correct the tension of the power arc. You will need to come to her once every 1.5-2 months. Correction of Damon ligature-free braces takes only 15-20 minutes.
What to do?
If you have external braces:
— try to quickly make an appointment for an unscheduled appointment; - if you wear intermaxillary elastics, then stop wearing the elastics until the bracket is glued.
If you have internal braces:
— try to quickly make an appointment for an unscheduled appointment; - if you wear intermaxillary elastics, then stop wearing the elastics until the bracket is glued; - do everything so that the bracket does not get lost; - if this is a bracket on the last tooth, and the arch is not bent behind the bracket, then try to very carefully remove it from the arch and save it. If the bracket does not come off, do not apply any force; you may damage the adjacent bracket. Leave it in place, it won't get lost.
If your teeth hurt
a) After installing braces, in the first 3-4 days you will experience pain only when biting or chewing food. It happens that teeth hurt for up to 10 days (very rarely). Sometimes there may be no pain at all, this is also normal.
b) After activation (control visit), during which the arch was replaced, the tooth/teeth may ache for 1-2 days, but also only while eating. Rarely do any patients resort to using painkillers these days, but if you feel the need for this, take those painkillers (ketanov, Nurofen, Nise, etc.) that you have on hand.
c) During the procedure for removing braces, the patient experiences slight discomfort (but it lasts 1-2 minutes) AND THAT’S ALL. THERE WILL BE NO OTHER PAIN SENSATIONS.
Operating principle
The teeth are moved to the position planned by the dentist by creating a slight pressure on the clasps attached to the enamel with a power arc.
This pressure is explained by the shape memory that the arc has, that is, its desire to return to the initially specified position.
In this case, the pressure exerted on the teeth is insignificant, and the change in their position is achieved by involving the muscles and bone tissue of the jaw itself in the process.
The passive self-ligation technology used in Damon Q braces involves the use of a sliding mechanism for fixing the power arc in the grooves of metal locks.
Thanks to this design, accidental jamming of the arc is eliminated, and the friction force is reduced. These factors help move teeth into the desired position less painfully.
If the diction has changed
Diction may change slightly only with lingual (internal) braces. With the new miniature lingual braces INCOGNITO, there is virtually no impairment of diction. But if you still encounter a similar problem, short-term exercises with ditties and tongue twisters will help restore your eloquence:
There is firewood in the yard, the gang is on the firewood, the gang has grass, all the gang are used for firewood. Karl stole dollars from Clara, and Clara stole the quarterly report from Karl. The workers privatized the enterprise, privatized it, but did not privatize it. The beggar rustles in thousands and fifty thousandths. The highest echelons marched towards their sponsored people along the highway, drunk.
Regulators regularly adjusted the regulators. It is not clear whether the shares are liquid or not. Taxable grace. The guru's inauguration went off with a bang. The exhibitionist has small biceps. The moron got into the habit of doing bodybuilding. Sasha herself is perfection, and she’s also improving herself!
Unpromising. In Kabardino-Balkaria, valocardine is from Bulgaria. De-ideologized, de-ideologized, and pre-ideologized. He who does not work does not eat what he who works eats. Turner Rappoport sawed through the pass, rasp and support. Coconut cookers boil coconut juice in coconut cookers.
The eyes of a gazelle were staring at her from behind the spruce tree. Underqualified. Sasha walked along the highway and sucked on a dryer. Senya is carrying hay in the canopy, Senya will sleep in the hay. The cap is not sewn in the Kolpakov style, the bell is not poured in the Kolokolov style, the cap needs to be re-packed, re-capped, re-forged, re-capped. The heron wasted away, the heron was withered, the heron was dead. From under the Podvypodvert
After 3-4 days of training, your diction will become even better than before installing braces.
If the design scratches your cheeks or tongue
The first thing you should do is pick up a mirror and look at your teeth in bright light - you need to try to understand which part scratches the mucous membranes of the mouth. During the first couple of weeks, the not quite straight edges of the braces often scratch or rub your lips, tongue and cheeks - this is considered normal. If such rubbing bothers you greatly, then use a special protective wax. Remember that waxing will take longer to get used to your braces.
Special protective wax
Sometimes the tail from the metal ligature begins to scratch the cheek. In general, ligatures are bent towards the teeth and should not interfere, but due to active brushing of teeth, their tails sometimes bend. In this case, you don’t always need to run to the dentist - you can carefully bend the tail of the ligature under the arch yourself, using a toothpick for this.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Irrigator
How Damon products differ from competitors
Damon technology was invented by American orthodontist Dwight Damon; Now it is being sold by the American company Ormco. Damon braces are in consistently high demand internationally and receive consistently positive feedback from both patients and orthodontists who work with them.
The fundamental difference between this system and more traditional analogues is the absence of a ligature - instead, the principle of passive self-ligation is used. A wire arch made of elastic metal is attached to conventional braces using hooks and rubber bands. Instead, self-ligating or non-ligating models are equipped with grooves into which the arch is attached; for each specific case of orthodontic treatment, it is easy to select the optimal depth of its placement. Thus, it is not rigidly fixed in the grooves and can move freely: this softens the pressure on the teeth and minimizes the risk of unpleasant sensations.
Each brace is a complete orthodontic mechanism. It closes and secures with a Spin Tek smart latch. The braces are designed and positioned in such a way that friction between the elements of the system during wearing is practically reduced to zero.
Thanks to their compact dimensions and minimal thickness, Damon braces look quite aesthetically pleasing on the tooth surface, to some extent even reminiscent of extravagant jewelry. Tooth enamel is guaranteed to be protected from injury due to the fact that the edges of the braces are smooth and rounded. In addition, the absence of ligatures prevents food debris from accumulating on the teeth, which makes it much easier for patients to maintain oral hygiene.
ATTENTION:
Damon braces can be placed on both jaws or only on one. The myth that this technology is only intended for installation on both jaws at the same time is not true.
If a brace falls off
Why do braces fall off, reasons?
1. When chewing or biting off hard food. 2. If you try to pick out something stuck under the archwire or between the braces on your own. 3. If the teeth have changed their position and there is contact of any tooth with the brace of the opposite jaw. If you do not notice this and do not tell the doctor about it, then, most likely, the braces will fall off as soon as you eat or when you force your teeth together.
Often in such cases, the patient does not immediately detect this problem. And to his surprise, while brushing his teeth or the next day, he identifies a lock that has fallen off, for a reason unknown to him.
What function does the arc perform?
Arcs are made of special alloys that have good flexibility and “memory”.
Initially, they have the shape of a perfectly even dentition. During installation, the arches change their shape, adapting to the crooked bite. But during the treatment process, the metal constantly strives to return to its original position, gradually straightening and helping to straighten the teeth. The arch is attached to each bracket, connecting all the elements into a single system. As the correction progresses, it is sometimes necessary to change it in order to achieve a better effect from the treatment or eliminate any design defect. For example, tighten a popped archwire or replace a broken element of the bracket system.
The arch can be classified by the type of material from which it is made, by shape and purpose. Different types of arches for braces have their own indications for use. Based on the raw material composition, products are divided into the following types.
- High quality stainless steel. This is the classic option that is used most often. It is distinguished by its low price and good characteristics. This steel is elastic and has a high degree of rigidity. At the initial stage of treatment, special woven arches are usually used. At the stage of main treatment - whole.
- In the middle of treatment, models made from a titanium-molybdenum alloy are often used. They are quite tough, but at the same time elastic and much less likely to provoke the development of allergic reactions. Often wearing them allows you to minimize discomfort.
- Another common alloy is titanium and nickel. Compared to others, arches made from it are very elastic and exert moderate pressure. Therefore, they are often installed at the initial stages of correction.
- There are alloys consisting of copper, nickel and titanium.
The advisability of using one of the listed materials is determined by the degree of dental pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient.
The presented classification is not the only one. Arches may differ in the location of installation (on the lower or upper jaw), as well as in shape. There are classic round arches that are installed at the initial stages of correction. They are then changed to rectangular or square.
How to insert an archwire into the last bracket
In patients, the archwire can often fly out of the last bracket, for example, while eating. In this case, you can insert it back yourself.
The lock on the last bracket never opens, so the part that came out will need to be inserted. Bend it strongly and carefully insert it into the hole in the bracket lock (similar to threading a needle), using tweezers. If the arch is too rigid, you will need the help of another person, as a lot of force will be required.
Important! If you are unable to replace the arch on your own, you should contact an orthodontist at your nearest dental clinic. The specialist will very quickly restore the functionality of the braces system.
If the piece that came out could not be inserted and it began to rub, orthodontic wax will help in this case.
How to close a lock
If the lock on your braces opens on its own at home, then experts strongly recommend doing nothing and going to the clinic where the braces were installed as soon as possible. Of course, you can try to snap it on at home, but you need to control the degree of arc pressure. A little effort on the sides of the lock and the clip will be securely closed.
Almost all modern models of braces systems are equipped with a latch that opens and closes when pressed down or up. But if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust this to a professional. You should not try to use nail scissors, toothpicks and other improvised devices. This can lead to more serious damage and deformation of the tooth enamel.
If possible, it is best to contact your orthodontist by telephone. He will tell you how the lock can be opened or closed without fear. Braces are a very complex and sensitive system, so the slightest intervention by an inexperienced person can lead to undesirable consequences. It’s good if they can be eliminated with little loss, but it’s much worse if after such an intervention you have to replace most of the structure with a new one.
previous post
Position of braces on teeth
next entry
The tip of the arc has become very long
After wearing braces for a while, you may feel that the end of the archwire suddenly moves out of the last locks and digs into your cheek. However, this is a good sign. It means your teeth are starting to straighten. The arc becomes smoother, and therefore longer. You won’t be able to deal with this on your own: if the tip of the arc extends more than 3 mm, go to the clinic - they will simply cut it off.
All of the above inconveniences can occur both when wearing inexpensive metal braces and when using more aesthetic Damon braces. Expensive modern braces (for example, lingual) also do not exclude this possibility.
About the manufacturer
Ormco is a large American corporation that has been producing orthodontic structures since the 50s of the last century.
Currently, the manufacturer's product line includes several series of bracket systems, differing in the material of manufacture, as well as design features.
When modeling a device for correcting occlusion, modern computer technologies are used to obtain a digital display of structural elements and predict the degree of their impact on the human dentition.
In addition to manufacturing braces, Ormco is actively involved in the development of the latest technologies and software in the field of dentistry, and also organizes consultations and training for orthodontists in working with structures to correct bites.
Treatment of damage to the oral mucosa.
During orthodontic treatment, the lips and mucous membranes of the cheeks and gums inevitably suffer. Sores are formed due to friction between braces, especially their hooks, and soft tissue in the mouth. This problem is especially acute at the beginning of treatment.
- The wounds need to be lubricated with Solcoseryl dental gel (sold in pharmacies) - it significantly speeds up the healing of mucous membranes, and you can also lubricate the corners of your lips with it, especially after taking it. In addition, lips can be lubricated with Solcoseryl ointment.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water. Salt water reduces pain and speeds up healing of wounds. Mix a tablespoon of regular table salt in a glass of warm water. Place the resulting solution in your mouth and hold for about a minute. Repeat this procedure several times a day, especially in the first days after fixation and at times when the pain intensifies.
- Diluted hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, so it can reduce inflammation in the oral cavity and speed up the healing of the mucosal epithelium. Mix water with three percent peroxide 1 to 1. Place the solution in your mouth and hold it there for a minute. Repeat several times a day.
Menu during orthodontic treatment
After reading the list of restrictions above, you are no doubt wondering, “So what can braces bearers eat?” In fact, the list of dishes is very large, you just need to show a little imagination and follow the recommendations above. I will list only a small part of the recommended dishes so that you can get new ideas for culinary experiments during orthodontic treatment.
- Pasta, spaghetti, ravioli and so on. With cheese, various sauces and other additives there is a huge scope for creativity.
- Mashed potatoes or soft baked potatoes
- Many rice dishes with vegetables or seafood
- Various types of cutlets and dishes using minced meat
- Dumplings and dumplings
- All types of cereals
- Pies and similar baked goods (without a hard crust) with almost any variety of fillings, except nut
- Various seafood dishes (not hard)
- Various types of cheeses
- Dishes made from jelly or creams
- Smoothies and milkshakes
- Yogurts and cottage cheese with various additives
- Bananas, grapes, melons, watermelons, kiwis, strawberries and other soft fruits and berries
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Ceramic or sapphire braces: differences and which is better
The above dishes are especially suitable for the beginning of treatment (especially in the first couple of weeks after bonding), when the teeth may become sore when biting on them. In the future, you can add more solid products from the second list (necessarily, cutting into small pieces).
How long does treatment last?
When choosing a specific model of orthodontic apparatus, many people have a question: how long will they have to wear braces? According to the manufacturer, treatment time using Damon systems is 20-25% shorter than when installing similar orthodontic devices from other brands.
The accelerated pace is largely due to the reduced friction force of the arc. In addition, self-ligating structures provide a smaller, but at the same time more uniform and precise impact on the teeth, which also allows for faster treatment. The minimum duration of the course in the presence of minor defects is six months. On average, you will have to wear braces for 1 to 1.5 years.