So many generations have gone through the rites of passage involving braces and retainers that you may think you know everything there is to know about orthodontics in Winnipeg. Orthodontics has been around a lot longer than you might realize, though. And they’ve come a long way since the word “braces” was coined for tooth-related appliances in the 1900s.
If you or a loved one are consulting your orthodontist or dentist in Winnipeg about what to do about crooked, misaligned or inconsistently spaced teeth, you’re about to get a lot of information to consider. Here’s some more information about orthodontics near you to fill in some of the gaps. Take the time to get answers to all your questions. If any questions remain unanswered, don’t hesitate to contact the caring and professional staff at Polo Park Dental.
Braces are a lot older than you might think
Archaeologists have discovered mummies wearing signs of primitive forms of braces — metal bands wrapped around teeth to move them very slowly by the application of pressure. The Egyptians were not the only ancient society to use orthodontic devices. Ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan peoples did, too. Thankfully, as you’ll read here and an orthodontist near you will tell you, teeth straightening has come a long way since then.
Do you actually know how they work?
Those ancient Egyptians were onto something — gradual pressure. Today’s wire and metal braces use a combination of an archwire and brackets cemented onto your teeth to move teeth using gradual pressure. Brackets are cemented onto your teeth to hold the archwire in place. The archwire exerts most of the pressure to slowly move your teeth into their ideal locations. While the brackets are powerfully bonded to your teeth, they do come loose occasionally. If any bracket on your teeth comes loose, get InTouch with your orthodontist as soon as possible.
You have alternatives to traditional braces
In 1925 and 1945, an inventor named Orrin Remensnyder filed patents for a dental massager device and orthodontic appliance that were designed to correct the bite, alignment, and spacing of teeth using an implement that slipped over the person’s teeth. In 1997, investment banker Zia Chishti invented the modern teeth-straightening device called Invisalign and co-founded a company to market the innovation. The rest is dental, economic, and marketing history. Invisalign’s clear and removable aligners have been transformative for millions seeking straighter teeth without having to wear metal and wire braces.
Orthodontists aren’t always fast, but they can be made faster
Having your teeth straightened through an orthodontist near you is an admittedly significant investment in money and in time. Orthodontic treatment can take many years to accomplish and many thousands of dollars to achieve. Can those treatment plans be accelerated?
There have been some recent and continuing innovations toward the objective of shortening orthodontic treatment plans. If you’re concerned about the length of your treatment, discuss with your orthodontist whether innovations such as AcceleDent may be appropriate for you. AcceleDent is a device used at home that uses SoftPulse technology to apply consistent and gentle pressure in addition to the pressure applied by the core orthodontic device. Another option, the Propel Chairside Excellerator, is used in an orthodontist’s office to accelerate bone metabolism and quicken treatment.
It’s not just for looks
Many people are motivated to secure straighter teeth out of a desire to look better and feel better. There’s nothing wrong with that! Self-esteem and personal confidence are important part of our emotional and psychological well-being. If you’re sheepish about your cosmetic motivations for getting straighter teeth, take comfort in the fact that orthodontic work is also important to your oral health.
Straightening your crooked teeth and correcting inconsistent spacing can improve your oral health by: making it easier to keep your teeth clean; reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease; by helping with breathing problems; and by easing headache symptoms.