More and more adults are focusing on improving their personal health. They're taking vitamins, exercising, and even straightening their teeth. Orthodontics not only makes your teeth and smile look better but often improves chewing function. This promotes better digestion and better health.
Before orthodontic treatment can begin a patient must first have a written orthodontic treatment plan constructed specially to meet this patient's particular problems. It is done using orthodontic records taken from the patient during a special 3 hour diagnostic appointment. We take impressions to make orthodontic models of the patient's teeth, photographs to document the relationships of the teeth, and several types of x-rays to geometrically analyze the patient's skull and it's relationship to their teeth. The doctor studies the information and approximately two weeks later the patient is invited back and treatment plan presentation is done. At this time the needed care is carefully reviewed and a final cost for the care is determined.
The development of both tooth bonding and modern miniature brackets has revolutionized orthodontics. Many old concepts and myths about treating adults have been disproved so that many adults are now enjoying the benefits that braces can provide them. Once orthodontic brackets are bonded to a patient's teeth an orthodontic wire is then attached to the brackets. The wire forms a beautiful rounded arch but this ideal arch form is deformed by twisting it into the brackets. The wire then wants to return to it's original beautiful shape and so pushes or pulls the attached teeth on it's way back. Each month a stronger wire is placed into the brackets so that the attached teeth will continue to move. Finally, the attached teeth form a beautiful rounded arch themselves.
After the upper and lower arches are rounded they must next be made to fit together using elastics which are attached to both the upper and lower arches at the same time. This slides the teeth along the archwires until they fit better. This is a very simple way of viewing orthodontic mechanics but is just intended to give you an idea of how braces work. There are many, many modifications to correct different situations and each case is treated for that patient's situation.
After treatment is completed retainers are constructed which the patient must wear full time, except for eating, for a year and after that only at night. Almost always, adults must wear their retainers for their lifetime. Initial orthodontic consultations are free, so if you're at all interested in improving your smile and bite, call 404-874-7428 to make an appointment to consult with our senior Georgia Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky.