Dental Braces treatment

Braces for Kids: Which Type is Right for Your Child?

by Child Dental Care

Dental braces or Orthodontic braces is a common trend amongst children, youngsters and middle aged people as well. Today’s blog is mainly on how can your child’s crooked teeth or teeth with gaps be corrected with braces and other related matters.

Many of my known contacts ask me “ What is the right age to start braces therapy?”. Actually age is not the right criteria rather it is if the right set of teeth are present. Likewise for each kind of treatment a certain set of teeth must be present for the treatment. Usually all permanent teeth except the wisdom teeth (third molars) must be present for commencing treatment.

How Does Braces Work ?

Braces mainly work by moving teeth. Normal conventional braces are present on your teeth 24*7 So continuous force is applied on your teeth which makes it move. Nowadays aligners are also used which must be in the mouth for at least 22 hours daily.

So basically the tooth moves from one position to a new position and the surrounding bone and gums remodel to adapt to the new position.

Types of Dental Braces for Kids

Here is a small description on the different types of Dental Braces, along with pros and cons of the different types listed below.

  • Metal Braces : Metal braces are a common orthodontic treatment used to straighten misaligned teeth. It consists of metal brackets attached to the teeth and a wire passes through the brackets to hold the braces together.
  • Ceramic Braces : Ceramic braces or clear braces serve as an alternative to traditional braces. They are less noticeable due to their tooth-coloured or clear appearance. This is a better option for people with metal allergies.
  • Self-Ligating Braces : Self ligating braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that holds the archwire using an internal mechanism instead of traditional elastic bands or metal ties. They only require a shorter treatment time and are more comfortable for patients.
  • Lingual Braces : Lingual braces, known as hidden braces, are a type of orthodontic treatment that works like traditional braces but are placed on the inside of the teeth, behind them. They are virtually invisible and can be customized based on your needs.
  • Clear Aligners : Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are transparent, removable dental appliances used to straighten teeth. They are made from clear, medical-grade plastic and can be customized to fit your teeth.
Types of Braces Pros Cons
Metal Braces (Fig1) Strength is high Unaesthetic
Self Ligating Braces (Fig3) Comfortable, less friction involved so some claim faster treatment Expensive than normal braces
Lingual Braces (Fig4) Aesthetic and invisible Speech can get affected as braces are placed on the tooth surface facing the tongue. Expensive compared to above.
Clear Aligners (Fig5) 1)Aesthetic, transparent and invisible.
2) No Diet restrictions compared to above 		1) As it is removable, patients must be very disciplined in its use and wear otherwise treatment results will be affected.
2) Expensive

What to Expect When Getting Braces for Kids?

After getting braces, after care or home care is very important.

For normal braces, Diet restriction is a must. Patients must not have hard food items like nuts, hard snacks, chicken bones.Chances of gum or lip trauma can happen. Orthodontists will prescribe ulcer healing gel or orthodontic wax for added protection.Proper oral hygiene is a must during orthodontic treatment with orthodontic toothbrush, mouthwash, fluoride toothpaste.

To conclude, there are many options available for braces treatment nowadays. It is a collective decision taken by the Orthodontist, parent and child patient after assessing the patient photos, tooth models and radiographs. Proper treatment planning and discussion is a necessity. Choosing the Best Dental Clinic is crucial for ensuring that your child receives expert care and personalized treatment, making the entire braces process smoother and more effective.

FAQ

  • Are metal braces the only option for young kids?

No, many other options are available like ceramic braces and aligners which are also equally effective for kids.

  • Are braces painful for Kids?

Pain is the same for any age group. It also depends from patient to patient. Some don’t have any pain issue from day 1, some always have pain. Pain perception is a very important factor here.

  • Can braces change face shape?

Braces dont change face shape, in fact when treated properly it beautifies your looks and smile. Proper treatment planning is a must. Treatment involving removal of teeth can change the face profile.

  • Which type of braces are the best for kids?

It all depends on the patient’s comfort, ability to accept diet restriction, availability of the child for monthly checkups. Comfortable options include Clear Aligners. But always remember aligners must be worn 22 hours daily for its effective action.

  • How many years do braces take?

 Braces therapy depends on severity of the correction needed. It ranges from 6 months to 2 years. Treatment involving tooth removal usually takes 1.5 years to 2 years. Patient

cooperation is a must for finishing the treatment on time otherwise the treatment can prolong.

retainers vsclear aligners (1)

What are the differences between Retainers and Clear aligners?

by Child Dental Care

Clear aligner and Clear Retainers look very similar but the difference is in its purpose and its thickness. The purpose of Clear aligners is to align teeth while Clear retainers are for retaining or stabilising the corrected teeth. Clear retainers are thicker in material.

Retainers for teeth are worn mainly to “retain” the position of teeth as they are corrected after Orthodontic therapy or to prevent further proclination of teeth. The 2 basic designs are

1) With metal wire and plate (Hawley’s retainer: Fig 1), Begg retainer

 

 2) Clear retainers are transparent plastic retainers also known as Clear Essix retainers. 

 What are Retainers?

Retainers after braces work by holding the teeth in place. It is prescribed for the duration of the retention phase by your Orthodontist (depending on the type of  Orthodontic correction)

The other classification of retainers are:

  • Fixed or permanent retainers: Fixed retainers are wires bonded behind your front teeth( 4-6 teeth). They are called permanent because, in some conditions, they are permanently bonded to teeth. But there is nothing to worry about because they won’t cause any irritation or pain. 
  • Removable retainers: As the name suggests, these types of retainers can be removed. Removable retainers are Hawley’s retainer, Begg’s retainer, Clear retainer,etc.

For further clarification, feel free to visit Dr. Bobby’s Orthodontics & Dental Specialty Care for your orthodontist consultation.

If you ask me the best retainers after orthodontic therapy, I would say they are the removable retainers with plate and wires( Hawley’s retainer or Begg’s wrap-around retainers). It is mainly because they are more durable. Along with fixed retainers, you can wear them only at night.

Difference between Clear Aligners and Retainers

Clear aligners are invisible braces which help align your teeth, They are transparent( aesthetic), removable, and comfortable. Many people get confused between clear aligner and clear retainer. That is not very surprising because it looks very similar. But once you have a feel of it or wear it, you will realise the difference. As mentioned earlier, Clear retainers are very thick and hard whereas Clear aligners are thin and very flexible.

Maintenance or cleaning of aligners and retainers are similar. After removing it, clean it with a separate toothbrush and soap (some companies provide aligner cleaning foam). After cleaning it, wash it properly and wear it. Always remember to clean it daily.

I hope the common misconceptions regarding Clear retainers and aligners have been cleared. Mainly the material, thickness and flexibility are the major differences. Always consult the best dental clinic, so that you can get a better understanding of clear retainers and clear aligners. 

Commonly asked Questions

  • Can you straighten teeth with just a retainer?

Certain minor gaps(less than 1mm) can be corrected with removable retainers like Hawley’s retainer and it should be worn full time. Clear retainers cannot help correct minor gaps. Retainers cannot help straighten teeth as they are removable and a constant continuous force is required to correct malpositioned teeth which is not possible with retainers.

  • Is it compulsory to wear a retainer after treatment?

Yes, an old age rule or Newton’s Law applies here. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Our body tissues (like gums or bone) around teeth tend to go back to their old state and they pull the teeth back to that old position. This is exactly why we have to use retainers after orthodontic treatment. In our body any sort of cosmetic treatment also comes with measures to retain the cosmetic change. Likewise, Orthodontic therapy is also a cosmetic treatment and measures need to be taken to retain the correction obtained by it. Hence retainers are very important.

  • Can I use my aligner as a retainer?

 A very common doubt. It can be used for a brief period, but clear aligners tend to discolour after 14 days, whereas clear retainers do not discolour very easily and are more durable. So clear aligners cannot be used as a retainer for a long time.

  • Is a Clear retainer the same as Clear Aligner braces?  

Clear retainer is different from clear aligner. The purpose of Clear aligners is to align teeth while Clear retainers are for retaining or stabilising the corrected teeth. Clear retainers are thicker in material. Also Clear retainer cost around Rs 5000/- onwards, whereas Clear Aligners cost around Rs 60,000/- onwards ( depends on the lab and materials cost and treatment duration)

Teeth-Whitening-after-care-e1742900705434

Important Tips for Teeth Whitening Aftercare

by Child Dental Care

Teeth whitening is a common trend nowadays, primarily because we are more socially involved and we smile a lot. So we are all concerned about our tooth colour. In the previous blog we had mentioned in detail about the process of teeth whitening.

For a detailed look at all the benefits, please refer to our blog: “Everything You Should Know About Teeth Whitening: Benefits and Risks“

In this blog, I will highlight the after care of teeth whitening. What is the need for teeth whitening after care? If that is the doubt, it is mainly because Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment, it is temporary and depending on your teeth texture, your teeth can get stained easily because of artificial colours in the foods and drinks we have nowadays. 

The First 24 Hours after teeth whitening

The first 24 hours are very crucial in aftercare for teeth whitening because the tooth is very sensitive to temperature and stains.

  • Immediately after the procedure, do not eat or drink anything for the next 3 hours. So always remember to feed yourself before the procedure.
  • Avoid too hot or too cold foods or drinks for 24 hours after the procedure.

Dos After the Teeth Whitening Treatment

Drink lots of water and always keep wetting your teeth with your tongue so that your teeth remain hydrated. Remember, tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening is mainly due to tooth dehydration. You can minimize tooth sensitivity by following these steps. If tooth sensitivity is still bothering you, the usage of anti-sensitive toothpaste is recommended. Teeth whitening along with Laser can help reduce sensitivity.

While brushing your teeth, you can use normal white Toothpaste (not coloured tooth gel). 

Electric toothbrushes can be used. Having teeth whitening treatment doesn’t prevent you from using electric brushes. After 6 months, you can do home teeth bleaching with a tooth whitening booster kit (which you can avail of from your dentist).

Products to Avoid

  • Avoid tobacco usage completely for a few weeks to avoid staining teeth
  • Coloured mouthwash must be avoided. Try using clear coloured mouthwashes (like Freshclor)
  • Tooth powder must be completely avoided as it damages enamel.
  • Items to avoid for 1 week are carbonated beverages, alcohol, tea or coffee without milk, any food with artificial colours, red chilly, turmeric, and red sauces.

Teeth Whitening Treatment can be of full effect if the aftercare is done with utmost care. Or there is a change for uneven results. Usually, the effects of teeth whitening can last for 6 months but without proper aftercare, this period can be reduced. 

Common Questions Regarding After care of Teeth Whitening

  • Will my teeth be sensitive after whitening treatment?

Yes, sometimes teeth can be sensitive but the reason is mainly due to tooth dehydration. Always keep wetting your teeth with your tongue so that your teeth remain hydrated and drink lots of water. If tooth sensitivity is still bothering you, the usage of anti-sensitive toothpaste is recommended.

  • How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally?

After 3 hours of the treatment, you can eat and drink avoiding stained food items and drinks. So always remember to feed yourself before the procedure.

  • Is oil pulling safe after whitening?

Yes, Oil pulling is safe after the teeth whitening treatment, But after the treatment should wait and resume it after 1 week. Also, You can use clear-coloured oil.

  • What to do if I notice uneven whitening?

After the treatment Uneven whitening does not occur. So it is unlikely you might notice an uneven colour. Before teeth whitening, a proper diagnosis and treatment plan must be done with the best dental clinic in Kochi, for proper and effective teeth whitening.

  • How much would it cost for teeth whitening treatment?

It is purely depending on the materials used and expertise, teeth whitening can cost around INR 10,000 onwards and upwards. Need to keep in mind the cost can also be affected depending on the patient’s teeth situation and colour gradient.