Orthodontics

What happens during the active phase?

• Extraction of teeth
• Space maintenance
• Orthodontic appliances
• Orthodontic appliances are used in conjunction with braces to influence the growth patterns of the jaws.
• They can be either removable or fixed.
• A. Removable appliances
• Removable appliances are used to move one or a few teeth.
• The appliances are made of plastic and may have wires that exert a slow gentle pressure on the teeth to be moved.
• Removable appliances must be worn continuously or as your orthodontist instructs.
• A removable brace may for example be used to correct teeth that have been forced forward and outward by a thumb sucking habit. It can also be used to hold or retain teeth in their corrected positions.
• Removable and fixed appliances can be used to increase the width of the upper jaw.
• This influences the rate of upper jaw growth and tooth eruption. B. Fixed appliances
• Fixed appliances are attached to the teeth and remain in the mouth for the duration of the active phase.
• The placement of fixed braces
• Little metal, ceramic or clear acrylic brackets are bonded or cemented onto the teeth.
• Specially bent wires are then attached to the brackets.
• Tightening of the wires causes the controlled movement of the teeth.
• Fixed or removable braces are used in conjunction with rubber bands.
• Braces are designed to exert a constant gentle pressure on teeth in order to move them into their correct positions.
• New, high-tech materials and modern methods of bonding brackets to teeth, make braces less obtrusive and easy to fit.

What happens during the retention phase?

• When active treatment is completed, the braces and other appliances are removed.
• To maintain the changes that have been made, a special removable retainer is made for the patient.
• It is designed to keep the teeth and jaws in their new positions, and to prevent a relapse.
• The retainer must be worn continuously until the teeth and bone have stabilised in their new positions.
• This may be a temporary or a long-term measure.
• Once the corrections have "set" in their new positions, the improvements should last a lifetime.

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