Having protruding teeth that are not aligned in the correct way in both adults and children can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult for processes such as chewing, closing the mouth and even talking. And if in need of dental advice for this problem, Feel free to contact, book an appointment and get braces at Liverpool. Protruding teeth are caused by various factors including genetics where a person is born naturally with jaw imbalance, large teeth or as a result of habits that one develops such as thumb sucking.
Protruding teeth can be treated by use of braces which are helpful in aligning the protruding teeth in the correct way. There are different types of braces used for teeth alignment and they include;
- Metallic braces that consist of brackets that are used to align the teeth with wires that keep them together. They are cheap but highly noticeable.
- Ceramic braces made out of ceramic and work as metallic braces but differ in that they take the teeth colour and thus cannot be noticed easily and are more expensive compared to metallic braces.
- Lingual braces that have brackets and wires placed in the inside part of teeth.
- Self- ligating braces that can either be metallic or ceramic with clips holding the brackets onto the wire.
Protruding teeth treatment process using braces
A dental examination is first carried out including imaging tests such as X-ray that will help develop a treatment plan. Depending on the type of braces chosen, they are applied onto the teeth where the brackets and wire are used to align the teeth into their proper position by applying pressure onto the teeth bone which will be forced to change into the correct alignment. The tooth alignment process will begin after around three days after applying braces and once the teeth are aligned correctly, retainers are applied onto the teeth to help in holding the teeth together as the teeth tissues develop and adapt in the new position. Full teeth alignment will occur from between one year to three years.
Braces hygiene
It is important to have good oral hygiene during the treatment period that includes brushing gently to avoid staining of teeth and braces. Some food such as sweets, meat, carrots and gum should be avoided to prevent damage unto the braces.
Advantages of using braces for protruding teeth treatment
- Braces help in aligning teeth in the correct manner.
- By correctly aligning teeth, incidences gum diseases and tooth decay are reduced as the teeth are cleaned properly and effectively.
- Speech problems associated with protruding teeth are improved.
- There is improved digestion with properly aligned teeth as they aid in proper breakdown of food.