Braces Specialist

What are dental braces?

Dental braces refer to fixed wire-based devices that your orthodontist at San Ramon Orthodontics places directly onto your teeth to correct misalignments, crowding, and overbites.

While traditional braces treatment is long, it ultimately restores your smile’s full potential and realigns your teeth to prevent complications down the line.  

When should you consider braces?

Dr. Karkhanechi recommends that you consider getting braces if you suffer from any of the following:

• Large gaps between your teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Overbite
• Overjet
• Jaw misalignment problems

The earlier you address these issues, the lower your chances of needing surgical intervention as an adult. Also, the earlier you can get these problem sorted, the better you’ll be able to bite, speak, and chew.  

How do braces work?

Traditional braces use a variety of hardware. Dr. Karkhanechi fixes brackets to the outside surface of the teeth through which a flexible wire goes. These brackets can be made of stainless steel, ceramic, or composite resin. Dr. Karkhanechi also places ring-like bands to stabilize the connecting wire.

During your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Karkhanechi periodically tightens the flexible wire to apply pressure on the teeth. This enables them to move to the desired location by dissolving bone and creating new bone behind them.

Keep in mind that applying pressure to your teeth can cause pain and discomfort in the days following the adjustments.  

How do you take care of braces?

Traditional braces require extra levels of care not only to ensure the best results but also to make sure that they don’t cause damage.

To properly take care of your braces, Dr. Karkhanechi recommends that you:

• Avoid sugary or starchy foods
• Avoid sticky foods
• Avoid hard foods

She also recommends that you brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush after every meal. You don’t want to brush too hard because you might damage the brackets or the wire. Make sure you rinse thoroughly using a fluoride rinse.

Just like brushing is vital in maintaining proper oral health, flossing between braces and wires is crucial to making sure all food is removed.

Additionally, you want to make sure you follow Dr. Karkhanechi’s instructions to the letter to avoid complications and ensure the best results.

Failure to properly take care of your teeth can lead to any of the following:

• Tooth decay and gum disease
• Loss of minerals on your tooth surface
• Root length decrease

Booking follow-ups with Dr. Karkhanechi regularly will reduce your chances of encountering complications during your treatment.

Get in touch today by phone or online to start your orthodontic treatment with San Ramon Orthodontics.