Bracing is a method to help straighten teeth to the correct position on the jaw arch. At that time, the doctor will use a number of appliances to support the treatment of misaligned teeth. Each appliance has its own effects, please refer to the following article to learn more about the types of orthodontic appliances.
Index
1. What is orthodontic appliance?
When orthodontic appliances (bracing appliances) are dental tools that work to support the process of aligning and straightening teeth to the correct position on the jaw arch.
Orthodontic appliances can be fixed on the brace frame to ensure firmness and steady traction when orthodontic adjustment. There are also removable appliances to help teeth move more easily.
2. Summary of the most popular orthodontic appliances
Nowaday, orthodontics there are 2 methods including braces and clear aligner. Accordingly, the appliances are also classified according to the form of orthodontics and to be able to match the condition of each person's teeth.
2.1. Bracing
Bracing is often the earliest technique in orthodontic technology. Currently, this method is still widely used because of its advantages in durability and efficiency.
2.1.1. Bracket
The brackets are designed with a small square shape, rounded to reduce entanglement and fuss when using. Brackets are fixed on the tooth surface or inside to ensure aesthetics. They are made from metal, porcelain or crystal.
There are 2 popular types of bracket:
- Normal bracket: In orthodontics, doctor will thread the wire into the slots in the bracket body and fix it by tying the dental elastic.
- Self-locking bracket: Designed to integrate automatic opening and closing, without using dental elastics, helping to create stable traction, limiting the situation of brackets.
2.1.2. Wire
When it comes to bracing, the wire is indispensable. They are steel wires that loop around your jaw, the wires are placed in the bracket slots and fixed with wire or an automatic locking pin. The wire creates pressure to help the teeth move according to the doctor's plan. Wire can be made from Stainless Steel, Nickel Titanium or Copper Titanium.
2.1.3. Elastic band
Elastic band has a certain stretch to create traction to move the teeth to the desired position. Currently, there are 3 types of elastic bands with different effects that are used in orthodontic treatment as follows:
- Single: with many colors for you to choose, it has the effect of fixing the wire on the brackets when bracing.
- String: is a rubber band with many consecutive O-rings. The elastic string is attached to the brackets to help align the teeth along the roof of the mouth, and at the same time close the gaps between groups of teeth.
- Inter-jaw: is applied to the cases of crowded teeth, teeth that are completely deviated to the top and adjust the occlusal. Inter-jaw elastic band is placed on one bracket of the upper jaw and the other is attached to one bracket of the lower jaw, helping the misaligned teeth to move into the correct position.
2.1.4. Hooks
Hook is actually a small part on the top of brackets, designed to attach elastic bands to both the upper and lower jaws. Hook can be attached to canines, premolars and on sutures or braces depending on the case.
2.1.5. Minivis
Minivis is made from Titanium with a small screw design that is attached to the upper jaw bone to form a strong anchor point to pull teeth. Whether to use and how much Minivis can be used depends on the condition of each person's teeth. Statistically, Minivis can assist with up to 30% reduction in total time compared to not using them.
2.1.6. Spings
This appliance has the function of pushing, pulling, opening or closing gaps between teeth. The springs is attached to the jaw by the doctor and connects to the wire behind the canine, thereby creating more force to help the teeth quickly run back to the old position. Currently, there are 3 types of springs including: pushing springs, pulling springs and sustain springs being used depending on the stage and purpose of use by the doctor.
2.1.7. Jaw expander
For conditions with a short or too narrow jaw, one of the jaws is out of balance, deviated or completely distorted to one side, and children aged 6-15 years old, the doctor will use a expander to widen the jaw and increased space between teeth. There are two types of jaw expanders: removable and fixed.
When expanding the jaw, the upper teeth will have distance and gradually separate the 2 palatal bones, thereby leaving rooms for the teeth to move, limiting to extract teeth when bracing.
2.1.8. Band
Band is made of metal, round and slightly square, designed to be superimposed on the teeth and have hooks for attaching elastics and threading the arch. The band acts as an anchor, a fulcrum to create force for the bracket system or the inter-jaw elastic band to pull the teeth into the correct position.
Before attaching band, doctor will use an elastic band to create gaps, then attach band to the 6th or 7th molar.
2.1.9. Headgear
Headgear is a special orthodontic appliance popularly applied for children in the golden age (about 7-12 years old). Headgear has the effect of correcting malocclusion, jaw misalignment or overcoming crowded teeth.
Regarding the mechanism of working, Headgear creates a force to inhibit the growth of the jaw, thereby ensuring that the two jaws will develop in the most standard way.
2.2. Clear aligner
Clear aligner is a modern orthodontic method that helps to overcome the shortcomings of traditional braces such as: optimizing aesthetics, no soft tissue friction, removable, and doing dental hygiene easily.
2.2.1. Clear tray
Clear tray is designed in the form of a transparent trough that hugs the tooth surface to help create a stable traction and move the teeth to the correct position on the jaw arch. During the orthodontic process, we can use about 20 - 40 trays depending on each case. Tray is designed for each individual and used in the correct order in each stage.
Clear tray is suitable for those who have high requirement for aesthetics, because the tray is transparent, safe, non-irritating and do not damage lips and cheeks. In addition, you can remove it when cleaning your teeth and eating every day.
2.2.2. Attachment
Attachment is stopper made of dental materials that have many shapes such as: round, square, triangle, ... and have the same color as real teeth. Attachment acts as bracket in traditional method, they are attached to real teeth to act as the point to create force for the clear tray to work.
2.3. Orthodontic appliance
For each form of orthodontics, there will be its own advantages and disadvantages, corresponding to which there will be specific appliances. However, whether it is bracing or clear aligner, it is necessary to use the following appliances:
2.3.1. Split band
Split band is made from rubber, which is round, slightly stiff elastic fibers. They are placed between the teeth to create spaces between the two teeth, making it easier to attach band.
This appliance is used in most orthodontic cases. The time of interstitial placement depends on the situation of each person, usually 5-7 days.
2.3.2. Retainer
The retainer is an extremely important and indispensable tool. All of us after removing braces also need to wear retainer for 1-2 years and especially for children, maybe the doctor will ask to wear retainer until adulthood.
The retainer has the effect of keeping treatment result in long-term. Because after orthodontic treatment, the teeth are still weak and unstable, they are easily displaced or run back to their original position under the influence of daily chewing and dental hygiene. In severe cases, it can cause teeth to become loose, sensitive and more misaligned than before.
Currently, there are two types of retainers: removable retainer and fixed retainer. Depending on each case and the needs of customer, doctor will advise using the appropriate type of retainer.
3. Interesting things about orthodontic appliances
To learn more about orthodontic appliances and how to use them effectively, you can refer to the following information:
- There are many different types of appliances, each with a different function and characteristics. Not only bracing or clear aligner.
- These tools are rarely sold at retail, so when they're lost, you need to contact your dentist immediately for assistance.
- You don't always need to use all of the above tools, but it depends on each person's case.
- When using elastic bands, you can choose colorful elastic bands to express your personality.
- For some tools, they may come loose during use, so you don't need to worry too much.
Just now is information about the types of appliances used in orthodontics in both bracing and clear aligner. If you are interested in orthodontic service, you can go directly to the dentist for an examination, taking X-ray film and getting specific advice. At that time, doctor will assess what equipment you need for your condition.
>>> Currently, bracing is still used very popular. But this method still has some disadvantages such as: poor aesthetics, difficult to clean, causing discomfort when rubbing lips and cheeks. And clear aligner can help you fix this problems.