Actors Tom Cruise and Ashley Judd wore braces, and so did songbird Gwen Stefani. Orthodontic braces are dental appliances used to correct the path of permanent teeth that grow in unwieldy directions, creating a malocclusion--a problem with the bite. Approximately three million teens in the United States and Canada wear orthodontic braces, states the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, which goes on to note that more and more adults are seeking orthodontic care to correct their teeth.
Why You Need Braces
According to the Cornell University website, certain orthodontic problems fall under the category of malocclusion. Braces may be necessary in cases where teeth are crooked or misaligned, when there are extra or missing teeth, to correct an underbite or overbite, or to correct a misaligned jaw. A specialist who treats malocclusion is called an orthodontist. An orthodontist is not simply a dentist, explains the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO); an orthodontist is required to have at year two additional years of medical training to learn how the face develops, as well as how teeth grow and move.
Who Gets Braces
Braces aren't just for children, although four out of five patients who wear braces are kids, states the AAO. The American Dental Association advises screening children by age seven to determine if there's a need for braces or another type of orthodontia. The Weil Cornell Medical School indicates that the perfect time for this type of orthodontic treatment is between the ages of 10 and 14, when the child's face is still growing and forming. Adults can be fitted with braces to correct a malocclusion as well; however, because their jaw is already fully developed, this might take more than one type of orthodontic treatment.
Types of Braces
Braces are fixed devices, which means that they cannot be removed. They can be made of different materials, such as metal, ceramic or plastic, explains the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, although stainless steel brackets are most often used in this orthodontic treatment. Brackets made of ceramic or plastic may be more attractive and less obvious, but these materials may become stained or discolored, cautions the college. Braces are generally worn between one and three years, with length of treatment dependent on the severity of the malocclusion. During this time, the path of the teeth is guided into the right direction.
Maintenance
Braces are only effective if steady pressure is applied to the teeth. Once you have been fitted with braces, your orthodontist will require follow-up visits, as your treatment will include regular adjustments in which wires, springs or rubber bands may be attached to the braces to produce more tension on the teeth. Usually, these visits occur once a month, according to the Nemours Foundation. Sometimes wearing "head gear" may also be necessary when braces aren't enough to get the job done. Head gear is usually worn when at home during the evening or night.
After Braces Come Off
After braces come off, patients typically continue to wear a removable orthodontic device called a retainer, states the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. A retainer helps the teeth maintain the desired position after your bite has been corrected. Most kids and teens continue to wear a retainer into their 20s, or until their wisdom teeth either come in, or are removed.
