Braces are so common that we often view them as “ho-hum.” But there are aspects about braces that make them remarkable. For one, the fact that we can move teeth at all is a wonder of nature.
We normally experience our teeth as firmly set in the jaw, which can easily lead to assuming they’re permanently fixed to the bone. They’re not. Teeth are actually held in place by a fibrous gum tissue called the periodontal ligament that lies between them and the jawbone. The ligament anchors to both with tiny fibers, which on the tooth side affixes within a thin substance called cementum deposited on the tooth root.
As we said, we don’t normally notice teeth moving. But the periodontal ligament does allow movement on a miniscule scale as a response to normal pressures that accompany biting and chewing. Although we’re unaware of it, this movement takes place as the bone and cementum ahead of the direction of movement begin to dissolve. Simultaneously, new bone and cementum develops on the other side of the tooth to stabilize the movement.
Orthodontic treatment takes advantage of this natural process. The anchored wires of braces through attached brackets place pressure on the teeth in the intended direction for tooth movement. The natural mechanism described earlier does the rest. Over time, orthodontists have developed an amazing amount of precision working within this mechanism.
Another aspect about braces and other methods we may take for granted is our motive for even trying to move teeth in the first place. It may seem we’re only realigning teeth to produce a more attractive smile—which they can do and why we often refer to braces as the “original smile makeover.” But there’s an even greater desire—straightening teeth can improve dental health.
Poor bites in turn cause other problems. Misaligned teeth are more difficult to keep clean of bacterial plaque, which increases the risk of disease. A poor bite can also accelerate teeth wear and contribute to gum problems like recession. We can eliminate or minimize these problems through bite correction.
Whatever your age, braces or other means can vastly benefit your health and your appearance. They may not always seem so, but braces are one of the true wonders of dental care.
If you would like more information on bite correction through orthodontics, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Moving Teeth With Orthodontics.”