Dr. Richard Parsanko runs Sonoran Desert Dentistry in Scottsdale, Arizona. Here, he explains how braces have changed over the years.
Braces were developed in the early 1950s. Since then, they have become more and more prevalent, especially with the advent of mass media and a culture that focuses on looks. Before the early 1970s, braces were much larger and more painful. We’ve gone from “metal mouth” to a contraption that is smaller, so it’s less abrasive on the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Before the smaller braces, orthodontists did something called banding the teeth, where they put silver bands around every tooth. Today, they use the “straight wire approach,” where they glue brackets on each tooth and connect them with wire.
Today’s modern braces are composed of these brackets, bands, and wires. Brackets are the small squares that are bonded directly to each tooth with a special dental bonding agent. They act like handles, holding the “arch wires” that move the teeth. Arch wires can be made of metal, or be clear or tooth-colored. Ties are small rubber rings or fine wires that fasten the arch wire to the brackets. They can be clear, metal, or colored. Springs may be placed on the arch wires between the brackets to push, pull, open, or close the spaces between the teeth. When needed, elastics or rubber bands attach to the brackets and are worn between the upper and lower teeth in various ways. They apply pressure to move the upper teeth against the lower teeth to achieve an optimal fit.
If you have a lot of crowding in your teeth, sometimes an orthodontist will put on “expanding appliances,” which expand the jaw to make room to fit all the teeth. You can wear them anywhere from three to six months. They attach to the roof of your mouth and inside your lower teeth with a screw that you can loosen. In the old days, if you had crowded teeth, they used to pull teeth to make room.
Just as in the 1950s, orthodontic treatment is used to correct a “bad bite.” Nowadays, we just have more options, such as Invisalign and six-month braces. A bad bite, known as a malocclusion, involves teeth that are crowded or crooked. In some cases, the upper and lower jaws may not meet properly and although the teeth may appear straight, the individual may have an uneven bite. Protruding, crowded or irregularly spaced teeth and jaw problems may be inherited. Thumb-sucking, losing teeth prematurely and accidents also can lead to these conditions. Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. That’s because crooked and crowded teeth make cleaning the mouth difficult, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and possibly tooth loss. An improper bite can interfere with chewing and speaking, can cause abnormal wear to tooth enamel, and can lead to problems with the jaw.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
