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Functional braces only work in growing children and
adolescents. Research is still being carried out to
evaluate exactly how functional braces work. It is
thought that functional braces deliver their effects
through a combination of ways. They may promote or
modify growth of the jaws, adapt the soft tissues
and muscles of the face to new positions, move whole
groups of teeth at the same time or change the angulation
of teeth.
Depending on the condition of the bite, functional
brace treatment starts either at an early age when
milk teeth are still present (age 7-10), or around
the time of the pubertal growth spurt (age 11-14)
when all or nearly all the milk teeth have been shed.
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Headgear
Headgear is being used less and less by orthodontists
these days; but its use is still necessary in a small
minority of cases. Headgear is worn to move the back
teeth further back in order to create extra space;
or to stop the back teeth from moving forwards and
keep them in their present position, whilst the front
teeth are being straightened. Headgear also helps
you achieve the best possible bite between your upper
and lower teeth.
Retainers
Retainers are appliances that maintain and hold the
alignment of your teeth and the improvement of your
bite after the completion of active orthodontic treatment.
They are usually passive and are not designed to move
teeth. Even after orthodontic treatment, your teeth
can lose their alignment throughout growth and even
in adulthood. For example, most people notice increasing
irregularity of their lower front teeth with age.
Retainers are designed to prevent such undesirable
changes.
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Retainers are either removable or fixed to your teeth.
Removable retainers can be made either from wires
and hard plastic (where you only see a thin horizontal
wire on the front of your teeth), or from soft clear
plastic (which fits over your teeth a little like
a mouthguard).
Fixed or bonded retainers are made from a fine piece
of special wire that is stuck to the back of the teeth
so that it is not visible from the front. Having taken
various factors into consideration, your orthodontist
will determine which retainer or combination of retainers
is suitable for your teeth.
Next >
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