Dental BracesOak Brook, IL

Before Getting Dental Braces

The American Association of Orthodontists advises that patients have a dental cleaning and checkup before getting braces. Patients should ask the orthodontist and dentist if there is any dental work they need to complete beforehand. A patient may need spacers placed between their back molars about a week before placement of the brackets and wires. It is important to maintain excellent oral health in the time leading up to the start of treatment as well as during treatment.

During the initial consultation, we will take impressions of the patient's teeth and devise a treatment plan. We will take X-rays to see how orthodontic treatment will affect the patient's jaw and surrounding tissue. Patients should make our team aware of any medications they are taking or any chronic conditions they have at this initial consultation as they may affect the outcome of treatment. We welcome questions and want patients to get the most out of treatment.

Braces Placement

The placement of dental braces can take anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours, but the discomfort should be minimal. Patients may eat before their appointment as long as their teeth are thoroughly brushed and flossed before. The practitioner will place a retractor in the patient’s mouth to keep it dry and comfortably open. A special adhesive will be placed on each tooth and topped with a bracket. A special light will be used to cure the adhesive and an orthodontic wire will be threaded through the brackets. This is the basic procedure, but it may vary based on the particulars of a patient’s treatment plan. Our team will discuss each step with the patient to make them more comfortable with the process.

Follow-up appointments during treatment are much shorter—usually less than 20 minutes. During treatment time, it is vital to be diligent about brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. The purpose of these appointments is to check the patient’s progress and make any needed adjustments such as replacing the bands on the brackets.

Who Gets Dental Braces

Though braces are most associated with teenagers, they are gaining in popularity among adults. Even the number of adults over the age of 50 getting braces is on the rise as imperfections in bite and the alignment of teeth tend to become worse with age. As long as a patient’s teeth and gums are healthy, they can enjoy the benefits of dental braces at any age.

It is recommended that children have an orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7. If dental braces are needed, the earlier treatment begins the better as there will be more treatment options available. Also, because children and teen's jaws are still growing, early intervention can prevent the need for more involved corrective procedures in the future.

A common worry for parents is how dental braces will affect their children playing sports or engaging in other physical activities. Low contact activities such as running, swimming, or dancing is perfectly safe at all stages of orthodontic treatment. However, children and teens involved in higher contact sports and sports involving a ball are advised to wear a mouthguard. In fact, there are special mouthguards designed specifically for braces.

During and After Dental Braces

As with any form of treatment, dental braces carry some risk, but they are usually minor especially compared with the benefits of a straighter smile. Braces take some initial getting used to and may impact a person’s speech or how they chew. Any discomfort caused by the brackets or wire rubbing up against the cheek can usually be remedied by dental wax. Keeping up with daily brushing and flossing will reduce the risk of problems caused by food particles or plaque getting trapped in and around the teeth and braces. Our team provides a thorough explanation of any risks involved and how patients can lessen those risks.

In addition to keeping a strict hygiene routine, there are certain foods it is wise to avoid while wearing braces. For the most part, patients may eat the foods they normally do. However, they need to eat these foods in a way that will not impact the braces. For example, instead of biting into a whole apple, cut it down into smaller slices. Steer clear of hard or sticky foods as they may more easily damage the brackets or wires. Most people find that any lifestyle changes they need to make during treatment do not interfere significantly with day-to-day life.

Patients look forward to the day the braces come off and they can enjoy their new smile. However, the day the braces come off is not the end of treatment. Teeth are always on the move. Once braces have been removed, teeth begin to shift back to their original position. For this reason, orthodontists recommend the patient wear a retainer for at least 12 months after the removal of braces. Because teeth shift throughout a person’s life, some orthodontists recommend wearing the retainer longer.