Do Orthodontic Appliances Cause Pain?

If you are considering an orthodontic appliance to straighten your teeth, you may also be afraid of the potential for pain and discomfort that may come with it. You are not alone as many people are under the misconception that these

appliances cause pain or injury to the lips and gums. It is true that orthodontic appliances do have an assortment of wires and brackets that may look like they would cause pain; however, the reality is that installation of the device is painless since it will be applied to the outside of the teeth.

The installation of orthodontic appliances does not involve drilling or piercing of the gums. There are no needles or other sharp objects used and there is no need for general anesthesia when having an orthodontic appliance fitted. Some braces will be clipped onto the teeth while others are cemented in place. Can you still get braces if you have fillings? Yes, you can. Filled teeth can be treated using orthodontic treatment just like teeth with no cavities.

The Truth about Orthodontic Appliances

It is important that you understand some basic facts about orthodontic appliances before you get fitted with one. By educating yourself, you can help ease your fears and make the experience of getting one less stressful.

The device can be mildly uncomfortable for a short while after installation. This discomfort is due to your mouth adjusting to the pressure as your teeth are realigned. The discomfort is usually gone in a few days. During this time, you should opt for foods that are not hard or chewy. Another option is to consume a liquid diet that consists of soup, smoothies and other drinks.

Another potential cause of discomfort is irritation caused by the appliance rubbing against the inside of the mouth. Your orthodontist may provide you with wax that can be used to ease this irritation. To use the wax, you simply apply it to the outer parts of the appliance. If the irritation is caused by only one part of the appliance, then the wax can be molded over that one part. The wax is easy to apply and older children and adults should have no trouble doing it though smaller children may need help from their parents. Along with using the wax, you may want to rinse your mouth frequently with salt water. This is a time-tested method of treating soreness in the mouth.

If a particular area in your mouth becomes sore or develops ulcers, you may be able to treat it with a gel purchased at the pharmacy. If the sores or ulcers do not go away in a few days, you should make a return visit to your orthodontist to see what they can do. It may be caused by a wire that is protruding a little and coming into contact with your cheek as you talk or eat. In some cases, the soreness might occur months after having the orthodontic appliance installed. This is because of the movement of your teeth. In this case, the solution is simple as your orthodontist can simply cut off the wires and eliminate the cause of irritation.

How to Treat the Pain

Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen may be used to treat the discomfort if it is especially distracting. Ordinarily, the pain will not be severe enough to require the use of prescription painkillers. Topical anesthetics are not usually necessary either since the discomfort is not usually on the surface of the gums.

The Top 10 Orthodontic Facts

One way to relieve the pain without the use of drugs is simply to chew on something. Along with exercising jaw muscles, chewing also massages the gums. The result is increased blood flow around the mouth, which may help to lessen the soreness and aching caused by the appliance. Your orthodontist may provide you with a bite wafer. It is u-shaped and you can bite on it to relieve the pain.

There are restrictions when it comes to selecting the right food so it is a good idea to ask your orthodontist about the types of food you can eat. They may also provide you with a list of foods to avoid with a particular appliance. Shortly after having the appliance installed, it may be beneficial to switch to a liquid diet for the first week or so; however, not everyone can do this.

Any pain and discomfort should fade once your mouth grows accustomed to the appliance. Eventually, most people forget that they are wearing one.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Problems and Orthodontic Appliances

Occasionally, TMJ problems arise after the installation of orthodontic appliances. The result may be joint pain and other issues for the patient. It is important to note that orthodontic treatment does not cause these problems but they may occur simultaneously. In most cases, TMJ disorders are the product of chronic muscle tension and habits like grinding the teeth. The symptoms may also be the product of arthritis or previous trauma.

Removal of Your Orthodontic Appliance

Eventually, your appliance will be removed and this is just as painless as the installation. Removal is straightforward

and involves taking the wires and brackets from your teeth and cleaning off any leftover cement. The removal of cement is performed using a special bur in a dental drill that will not damage your tooth enamel or cause any pain. This procedure will take approximately 45 minutes and any discomfort from it is likely to be minor.

Stafford Orthodontic Treatment

Due to clinical research and new technology, orthodontic treatment has made significant advances in the last few decades. Many of those advancements have dealt with the problem of discomfort. The goal has been to make the installation and wearing of orthodontic appliances comfortable and problem-free for the patient. If you are looking for a place where you can get braces in Stafford, note that our orthodontists have the experience and training to ensure that the treatment progresses without any issues for our patients. In addition, we use the latest orthodontic braces and advanced techniques to ensure a positive outcome. If you are in the Stafford or Fredericksburg area, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Do Orthodontic Appliances Cause Pain?

Can You Still Get Braces If You Have Fillings?

Worried That A Brilliant Smile Is Out Of Reach?

Braces are a great way to correct imperfections to your smile that might hold you back in various ways. These might not be just cosmetic, as braces are effective tools to deal with a multitude of orthodontic problems, ranging from jaw misalignment to incorrect bites. Unfortunately, the common understanding of braces is that there's a small window as a teen or younger child to get them done, and after that, they simply aren't a realistic option. Fortunately, that's not correct, and the fact is that adult orthodontics are becoming more and more common every year. With the advances in corrective apparatuses, there's never been a better time to consider braces, no matter your age.

Making Informed Decisions

You might ask yourself if you can you still get braces if you have fillings or other prior dental work. The great news is that you can - previous dental work shouldn't exclude you from getting high-quality braces, no matter what your needs are. In addition, braces are capable of correcting such a broad range of conditions that it is uncommon that they cannot be used as a solution for various jaw or tooth alignment problems. Going into your orthodontist's office ready to discuss your concerns is the key to being confident that your treatment can be successful. Your orthodontist will listen to your concerns and help you understand your options and how best to treat you, taking into consideration any aesthetic or comfort worries you may have. The more you understand about it, the better you'll feel about your treatment.

Understanding Your Options

Gone are the days of the extensive, uncomfortable hardware that plagued the nightmares of teenagers since the dawn of corrective braces. We now have options that include comfort and aesthetics on the list of treatment concerns, rather than simply correcting the problem itself. Old metal braces used to be pokey, uncomfortable, and garish, with wires that were difficult to deal with when eating or brushing. Modern metal braces are far more contained, petite, and easy to work around! In addition to traditional metal braces, there are choices that align teeth through progressive inserts, and even braces that go behind teeth. Both of these choices are designed with comfort and appearance in mind, and have pros and cons of their own.

Traditional Braces

These are what you probably think of when you think of braces. They are small metal or ceramic nodes affixed to the front of each tooth. Anchored on your back molars are fixtures that a wire is attached to, and ran through each of the nodes. At each appointment, your orthodontist tightens this wire, drawing your teeth closer together and aligning your bite until you have a straight, gorgeous smile. Though these are usually the cheapest braces, at least at base pricing, they are incredibly effective and are the most common method of correction. That said, they can be uncomfortable, and make brushing your teeth more of a chore. Beyond that, there are certain foods like caramels or popcorn for instance, that you shouldn't eat with these types of braces. The cons to these are largely minor inconveniences (unless you really, really like popcorn), which is fortunate.

Besides Straight Teeth, What are the Benefits of Braces?

Pros

• Often the cheapest option

• Very effective

Cons

• Can be uncomfortable

• Difficult to clean versus no braces or other types of braces

• Each adjustment requires an in-office visit to your orthodontist.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a brand of clear inserts that slip over your teeth and slowly guide them to where you and your orthodontist want them to be. They're nearly invisible and hardly noticeable, offering fantastic solutions to people who need correction with braces but don't want a significant affectation to their appearance. Invisalign is more often than not more expensive on the front end. Your orthodontist will provide you with a new insert tray on a fixed schedule, until your teeth are perfect.

Pros

• Nearly invisible

• Comfortable

• You can pop out the tray to brush and eat as you would normally.

Cons

• Can be more expensive

• Talking and playing instruments with the trays in can require some adjustment.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are like traditional braces, only flipped. They go behind your teeth, making them completely unnoticeable except on close inspection. Lingual braces are very similar in function and comfort as traditional braces, but the major plus is that they don't affect your appearance. They work the same way as traditional braces, with office visits required to tighten and align the teeth.

Pros

• Discreet and don't affecting eating or talking to the degree of traditional braces

• Even more invisible than Invisalign

• Can perform corrective adjustment in a shorter time than the other brace options, in some cases

Cons

• Have the same comfort issues as traditional

• Require more effort to clean than Invisalign

• Require in-office visits to tighten and maintain

If you're ready to get started on your path to a beautiful smile and you're looking to get braces in Stafford, then give

Beecroft Orthodontics a call. Dr. Matt Beecroft and his staff are professional, highly skilled, and dedicated to your orthodontic needs. Dr. Beecroft's own experience with his father getting braces at the age of 59 is the undercurrent of everything he does, knowing that a healthy smile can provide such confidence to his patients. If you're looking in Stafford for orthodontic treatment, the caring, understanding staff at Beecroft will help you understand your options and come up with a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle, budget, and desired outcome. Check out their website and schedule a consultation today!

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Can You Still Get Braces If You Have Fillings?

Best Orthodontic Blogs of 2015

2015 was a fantastic year. Read some of most popular blogs from last year, and make sure you keep your eyes peeled for some great blogs post and videos in 2016.

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What Happens After Invisalign Treatment Is Completed?

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Most watched video 2015

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Best Orthodontic Blogs of 2015