Get Your teeth in line

IF you’ve watched the English flick THere’s Something About Mary, you might recall the incident where there is a bevy of handsome men trying to woo the lady in several ways, one of them being the display of dazzling white teeth! Well, you don’t have to be Cameron Diaz to have a million dllar smile or be impressed by one. Men and women, the world over, like to present themselves smart in this increasingly looks’conscious age. You wouldn’t want to have crooked teeth also, would you?

What are braces?

Braces or clips are superficial, lay terms (often misused) to indicate comprehensive orthodontic care for adults and children. The ideal bite (occlusion) is where the upper front teeth extend slightly outward and overlap the lower front teeth both horizontally and vertically and the molars meet. When this doesn’t happen, the person is said to have ‘malocclusion’ or altered bite. There are several divisions in malocclusion; Class 1 (teeth are turned or crooked), Class 2 (upper teeth are too far forward and lower teeth are too back ) and Class 3 (upper teeth are too back and lower teeth are too forward). Apart from these there is the cross bite where one or more lower teeth overlap upper teeth; the deep bite where upper teeth overlap the lower far too much and the lower teeth hit the palate and the open bite where the front teeth remain apart even when the back teeth meet. The reasons for malocclusion are many, some of them being bad habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing etc or may be the result of a fall or accident or may be due to heredity.

Facts you should know :

1.Orthodontic care is not just ofr teenagers; childre (where early recognition and treatment of malocclusion by interceptive orthodontics can correct irregularities) and adults (people well into their late 30s and 40s having good bone support) can well avail of it.

2.Seek a second opinion if you’re not too happy with getting 2-4 healthy teeth extracted to gain

space (if required).

3.Know the contraption well. Fixed orthodontics consists of brackets, which are small, square metapieces (ceramic or tooth coloured brackets also in vogue) bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth that hold the stainless steel arch wire which in turn is attached to metal bands around the first molars and elastics which apply pressure between the jaws. Removable appliances consist of an acrylic plate to which a stainless steel wire is attache. There is slight pain and discomfort but can be managed.

4. There are two techniques in fixed therapy; the Begg’s technique and the straight wire technique. Each case is different and selection of technique for that particular case and the cost is left to the discretion of the orthodontist.

5. Ask questions and get your facts right. Clear your doubts well before you start. So, go on, get your teeth in line, better your smile and boost your confidence.

The author is dental surgeon and can be contacted at ALL SMILES DENTAL CLINIC, 26673439, 9845085230.