Orthodontics AGD:FACTSHEETCompiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry ORTHODONTICS What is orthodontics, and why How long will I have do people get braces? to wear braces? Orthodontics is a special discipline of That depends upon your treatment plan. dentistry concerned with aligning the Patients with more complicated spacing teeth and jaws to improve one’s smile or bite problems, and older patients, and oral health. A dentist usually recom- generally have longer treatment periods. mends braces to improve the patient’s Most patients wear full braces for ?physical “orofacial” appearance. Through between 18 and 30 months, followed by orthodontic treatment, problems like a retainer, which must be worn to set and crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or align tissues surrounding straightened under bites, incorrect jaw position, and teeth. disorders of the jaw joints are corrected. Will treatment be When is the right time uncomfortable? for braces? At each visit, the interconnecting wires Patients with orthodontic problems can are changed. The wires place mild pres- benefi t from treatment at nearly any age. sure on the brackets or bands to shift An ideal time for placement of braces is teeth or jaws gradually into a desired Does AGD offer any resources between ages 8 and 14, while the head position. Your teeth and jaws may feel and mouth are still growing and teeth slightly sore after your appointments, but for my family and me? ?are more amenable to straightening. the discomfort is brief. Yes! Check out AGD’s Web site, And braces aren’t just for kids. Adults are www.agd.org, to search more than increasingly wearing braces to correct 300 oral health topics, post a dental minor problems and improve their smiles. Do I have to avoid any foods? question, sign up for e-newsletters Your dentist will instruct you on which or fi nd an AGD dentist. Or, call foods you should avoid to best maintain 1.877.2X.A.YEAR (1.877.292.9327) What kind of braces your braces and your oral health. to be put in touch with an operator will I have to wear? who will provide the names, Your dentist will know what appliance addresses, and phone numbers is best for your particular condition, but How do I clean my teeth of AGD members. the patient often has a choice. Braces with braces? generally come in three varieties. The With braces, oral hygiene is more impor- most popular type of braces uses brackets tant than ever. Braces have tiny spaces ?(metal or plastic) that are bonded to where food particles and plaque can be teeth. “Lingual” braces are braces fi tted trapped. Your dentist will show you how behind the teeth on the tongue (lingual) to properly brush and fl oss your teeth. side so they are hidden from view. “Band” braces cover most of your teeth with metal bands that wrap around the Who will provide my orthodontic teeth. All types use wires to move the treatment? teeth to the desired position. Invisible Your family general dentist is responsible braces utilizing a series of clear plastic for coordinating your dental treatment, trays are an alternative to conventional which may include orthodontics. Some bracketing and have become popular in dentists provide orthodontic treatment in recent years. offi ce, while others may refer you to an ?orthodontist to coordinate your care. > For more information, visit www.agd.org or call 1.877.2X.A.YEAR (1.877.292.9327). 01 Factsheet_2.indd 26 11/30/05 2:32:20 PM.