Braces (Orthodontia)

Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including poorly aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a bad bite (also called malocclusion).

Various things can cause teeth to become crooked or jaws misaligned, including thumb-sucking or a traumatic injury. Some conditions are inherited.

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 are typical candidates for braces because their facial structures are still developing. Adult braces usually entail additional procedures because their faces have already fully developed.

About Braces

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that deals with corrections involving jaw and teeth alignment.

Braces employ the use of wires and are usually one of three types:

  • Old-fashioned, conventional braces, which employ the use of metal strips, or bands.
  • Metal or plastic brackets that are cemented or bonded to teeth.
  • Brackets that attach to the back teeth (also called lingual braces).

Procedures

Orthodontic procedures, also called orthodontia, are complex processes.

In most cases, a dentist will need to make a plaster cast of the individual's teeth and perform full X-rays of the head and mouth.

After orthodontic appliances are placed, they need to be adjusted from time to time to ensure that they continue to move the teeth into their correct position.

Retainers are used following braces to ensure that teeth remain in position.

Aesthetic and Comfort Issues

Advances in technology have vastly improved appearance issues with orthodontia.

Braces today are made from extremely lightweight and natural-colored materials. The materials that braces attach to-brackets-are bonded to the surfaces of teeth but can be later removed.

People can expect to wear braces for about two years—less or more in some cases. Adults are usually required to wear braces for longer periods of time.

Because orthodontic appliances need to be adjusted from time to time to ensure they continue to move the teeth into their correct position, they can create pressure on the teeth and jaws. This mild discomfort usually subsides following each orthodontia adjustment.

Hygiene issues

People who wear braces must be diligent in ensuring that food particles and other debris do not get trapped in the network of brackets and wires. In addition, brackets can leave stains on enamel if the area surrounding them is not cleaned on a daily basis.

Daily oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing and rinsing are a necessity. Some people with orthodontic appliances can benefit from using water picks, which emit small pressurized bursts of water that can effectively rinse away such debris.

Another caveat: Braces and sticky foods don't mix. Crunchy snacks and chewy substances should be avoided at all costs because they can cause orthodontia to be loosened or damaged.

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are helpful dental devices that can help teeth grow in normally following premature tooth loss, injury or other problems.

The devices can help ensure that proper spaces are maintained to allow future permanent teeth to erupt.

If your child loses a baby tooth early through decay or injury, his or her other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant space. When your child's permanent teeth emerge, there's not enough room for them. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and difficulties with chewing or speaking.

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What Our Patients Say About Us

    I have been lucky enough to be one of Dr. Kibler's first patients and have stayed with him ever since!  He is extremely talented - he is a true artist - not only with his gentle, caring dentistry - but when you visit his office, notice the beautiful paintings of various golf course holes - all painted by Dr. Kibler - they make you think you're there on the course!  He brings that same talent to caring for each of his patients.  He treats you as if you are the only person in his office and always takes the time to ask how you are and answer any questions you have.  Recently, he needed to refer me to a specialist and after trusting only Dr. Kibler all of these years, I was concerned, so I asked him if he could recommend someone he trusted as much as I trust him and, as usual, he didn't let me down.  Dr. Kibler is a wonderful person and friend who cares about his patients and their needs and I am honored to be one of his first patients!  Dr. Kibler always has the neatest folks for his staff, too!  They are all wonderful, caring people who, like Dr. Kibler, will make you feel right at home and comfortable from the minute you walk into their office (and they are animal lovers - and we all know how special folks like that are!)  Come visit Dr. Kibler and his staff  and you will see why he has been my dentisit for over 20 years!

    S.D.

    Yes, you are in need of a dentist.  Allow me to help with your decision, as I know a terrific one, Dr. J. Christopher Kibler!!! First though, let me tell you how I found him and most importantly why I have stayed his patient for 19 years. My prior dentist was retiring and sold his practice to Dr. Kibler.  My immediate reaction was probably what your're experiencing now, dread of picking the wrong "new" dentist. Courageously, I ventured into my first appointment with him.  After all, I had to start somewhere. Safe, was my first reaction to meeting Dr. Kibler,  His whole demeanor put me at ease.  And, more than ease, I felt secure.  He has a humor that was disarming.  Looking back on it now, as I write this little piece, it wasn't that he told jokes, he had a wit about him that is clearly based on wisdom, and his joy in life. However, the most important reason that I have stayed his patient, is his skill level.  He and his staff upgrade their education frequently.  I witness the improvements each time I need his help.  There is either a new piece of state of the art equipment or a newer technique that he's mastered.  He is not only a gifted artist giving great attention to detail, he has never hurt me. In fact, when I needed to see an oral surgeon for a skin grafting procedure, I went to Dr. Kibler for my first numbing injection.  He has an absolutely pain free method of giving injections.  I repeat, he has NEVER hurt me. In closing, let me add that I have a high standard for my appearance, and having a beautiful healthy mouth is very important to me.  I have always worked in the beauty and fashion industry, so of course the veeers that Dr. Kibler created for me were beyond pretty, they are believably natural. Last, let me say that although there are many good dentists around my dentist is terrific.

    Terry S.

    For nearly TWO decades Dr. Kibler and his awesome staff have taken care of my, as well as my wife's teeth.  Cleanings, repair, filling replacements, bridges, etc..  This  man has done it, done it right and done it well.  We run a small business of 35 people,  many of them and some of our family also use Dr. K and crew.  Put it simply, they get it and they will treat you with care and compassion.  Nothing to lose, everything to gain.  #Dr.Kibler

    Greg C.