Dental Braces: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Dental braces are used to treat dental disorders like crooked teeth, and malocclusion including overbites, underbites, crossbites and overjetting teeth.

Overbite is a condition where the upper set of teeth vertically outgrows its original placement.

Overjet is a condition where the upper set of teeth horizontally outgrows its original placement and juts out in such a manner that the lower set of teeth gets covered by the upper set. This condition can be accompanied by jaw pain, and erosion of the lower teeth.

Underbite is a condition where the lower set of teeth protrudes in a tricky manner, so much so, that it overlaps the upper set of teeth.

Crossbite is a dental condition that can affect one tooth or a group of teeth. In this case, the upper set of teeth bites into the lower set of teeth.

These disorders go in tandem with incorrect jaw alignment. Dental braces are recommended by a doctor to correct these dental anomalies. Structural problems pertaining to your teeth can lead to other disorders like tooth decay, gum ailments, headaches and earaches. It can also lead to speech problems and create obstacles during the consumption of food. Dental braces tackle the problem from the very beginning and prevent the accompanying disorders of malocclusion.

Malocclusion not only destroys your dental health if left untreated, it also disfigures your facial structure. Dental braces are recommended by a doctor to improve the structure of your teeth.

For example, there are many people who suffer from misaligned or crooked teeth. Dental braces exert pressure on the disoriented teeth and rectify the disproportion. They work to give you teeth the natural structure.

Unberbite, crossbite, overjet and overbite are some of the conditions that not only make one look unbecoming. Due to the abnormal structuring, these conditions can also strain your jaw movements, thereby causing joint dislocation around the jaws. Teeth erosion, gum problems are other difficulties. Malocclusion causes problems in chewing, biting and speaking as well. Dental braces are placed on the misaligned teeth set and kept that way over a period of 6 months to 2 years depending on the condition. Over time the pressure normalizes the structure of your teeth.

There are various types of braces available, like the common metal braces made of stainless steel. If you do not want your braces to be so obviously there you can go for clear ceramic braces, lingual/concealed braces, or, invisible braces. Ceramic braces fuse with the color of your teeth rendering them invisible. Lingual braces can be attached at the back of the teeth and invisible braces can be removed or worn back depending on your convenience.

Whoever has dental disfigurations like crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, overjets, crossbites, is eligible to undergo orthodentic treatment, which involves the wearing of dental braces.

Orthodentic intervention which involves the installlment of braces can start as early as 6 years of age. But children below the age of 6 are not considered eligible for this treatment. The prime treatment takes place between the ages of 10 and 14.

The complications arising out of dental braces are very rare. However, dental braces are not risk free. Some of the side-effects of dental braces include:

Tooth decay or gum disorders: It happens when the teeth cannot be cleaned properly due to the placement of the braces.

Allergies: Some patients can have an allergic reaction to the metal or the latex in the braces.

Development of sores: One can develop sores as the braces rub constantly against the soft skin inside the mouth.

Root shortening: The roots of the teeth can be stunted as a result of wearing braces over a long period of time. This condition can be prevented by taking regular tests.

Ankylosis: This is a very rare side-effect of wearing braces whereby the root of a tooth reaches the jaw bone. In this case braces fail to realign the teeth and surgical intervention might be required.

After your braces are removed, your orthodontist will most probably install retainers on your teeth. You will have to keep the retainers for at least 6 months post removal of the braces. These dental appliances are used to readjust your teeth to the new structure. You also need to undergo a thorough teeth cleansing, and even whitening after the braces are removed, and, this will be performed by the dentist. Even after the removal of the retainers, you might have to wear them during a particular time of the day, depending on the instruction of your doctor.

Usually it takes 18 months to 2 years to attain complete recovery by wearing braces. In some cases it might take longer to acquire complete realignment of the teeth. And, in some cases the time required is only 6 months. In other words, the recovery time depends upon the condition of the teeth.

Depending on the kind of braces you are opting for, the price can be anywhere between INR 18,000 (metal braces) to INR 190,000 (incognito braces).

Once the teeth achieves proper alignment, it does not go back to its initial crooked shape. However, a doctor might advice you to wear retainers for a couple of months even after the braces are removed.

Adults might feel disinclined towards wearing metal braces because they are so out there. In that case one can choose these alternatives like:

Invisalign: These are made of clear plastics which blend well with the color of the teeth.

Incognito Braces: These braces are attached to the back of the teeth. So they remain invisible.

Damon Braces: Damon braces come with brackets that are not so tightly bound like metal braces. So they allow better movement of the mouth.