Braces: Answers to the most frequently asked questions about their application

The proper and timely treatment of poor dental alignment has only benefits for health.

If orthodontic problems are corrected on time, it can:

* Prevent injuries to protruding front teeth that could break.

* Ensure proper positioning of the teeth, making it easier to clean them and reducing the risk of cavities and gingivitis.

* Ensure the proper development of the facial bones to achieve skeletal harmony.

* Reduce the need for future tooth extractions.

* Improve chewing.

* Improve speech problems caused by incorrect tooth positioning.

* Enhance the aesthetics of the face and the sense of well-being, as the patient will feel better about themselves.

In other words, “orthodontic treatments are not primarily done for aesthetic reasons, as many people think, but primarily for developmental and functional ones,” emphasizes Dr. Katerina Douma-Michelaki, DDS, PhD, specialist in Orthodontics for Children & Adults.

However, patients who are about to undergo orthodontic treatment usually do not only ask about the benefits but also have many other questions. Dr. Douma-Michelaki provides answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Will it hurt when I get braces?

Braces are placed on the teeth through a completely painless process. Afterward, there may be some mild, temporary pressure during the first 2-3 days, which disappears very quickly. It is a big mistake to think that the stronger the pressure, the faster the orthodontic problem will be fixed (too much tightening not only does not speed up the treatment but can harm the teeth). The discomfort of the first days is easily relieved with common pain relievers (to be taken according to the orthodontist’s instructions). Mild, biological forces ensure perfect orthodontic movements without problems in the teeth and tissues.

Will my teeth get marks from the braces?

Braces do not leave marks on the teeth as they are attached with special resins, the same materials used for white fillings. However, if cleaning instructions are not followed, stains may appear at the spot between the braces and the gums, where it is not cleaned properly. It is important to clean your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste and dental floss. It is also important not to consume sweets frequently, anything containing sugar, carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and generally beverages with low pH, including diet sodas and isotonic drinks. It is preferable to consume such products occasionally, always with the main meals and not as intermediate snacks, and to drink mainly water during the orthodontic treatment.

Can the gums be damaged?

No, as long as the patient follows the oral hygiene rules and takes care of the orthodontic appliances. In such a case, some temporary redness and perhaps slight swelling of the gums may appear, but it will subside when the treatment is completed. However, if the patient does not clean their teeth and braces properly, they may develop gum enlargement, known as gingivitis.

Will the teeth move again after the treatment is completed?

After the orthodontic treatment is completed, you will be asked to use a retention device for a considerable period (usually for several years) to maintain the orthodontic result. It is important to use this device exactly as recommended by the orthodontist. Once this phase is completed, there may be some slight movement of the teeth, but it will be minimal. However, you should know that teeth move throughout life as a result of the natural developmental process of the human body.

What are the chances that the treatment will fail?

Minimal, if done properly. The correct treatment plan, excellent orthodontic appliances, and proper cooperation ensure, through a completely biological process, an excellent result. Orthodontics is perhaps the only therapeutic approach that can provide a beautiful, healthy smile to both young and old without any medication!