Braces in Bilekahalli, Bengaluru

When braces might help

• Crowded or overlapping teeth.
• Gaps between the teeth.
• Upper front teeth that stick out.
• A bite where the teeth don't meet properly: a deep bite, an open bite, a crossbite, or lower teeth in front of the upper ones.
• Moving teeth into place before other treatment, such as a bridge or an implant.

Braces suit children, teenagers and adults. Many children are treated once most of their adult teeth have come in; a first orthodontic check is advised by age 7.

Types of braces

The orthodontist advises which type suits your teeth and bite. The common types are:

• Metal braces: small metal brackets and a thin wire; the most widely used type.
• Tooth-coloured (ceramic) braces: they work the same way, but the brackets are less noticeable.
• Self-ligating braces: the wire is held by a small clip in each bracket, instead of elastic ties.
• Lingual braces: fixed to the back of the teeth, so they can't be seen from the front.
• Removable and functional appliances: for some growing children, to guide the teeth or the growth of the jaws.

Clear aligners are another way to straighten teeth. See clear aligners, which compares them with braces.

What happens, step by step

1. Consultation with the orthodontist. The orthodontist checks your teeth, gums, bite and jaws, and talks through your options.
2. Records. Photographs, impressions or a digital scan of your teeth, and X-rays of the whole mouth and jaws, taken at an imaging centre we refer you to.
3. Treatment plan and written estimate. The type of braces, how long treatment is expected to take, whether any teeth need to be removed to make space, and the total fee, in writing before treatment begins.
4. Getting ready. Any decay or gum problems are treated first. Sometimes small spacers are placed between the back teeth a few days before the braces are fitted.
5. Fitting the braces. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and the wire is placed. It needs no injection.
6. Adjustments. Every 6–8 weeks the orthodontist adjusts or changes the wire. Small elastic bands between the upper and lower teeth may be needed for a while.
7. Removing the braces, and retainers. The brackets are taken off and the teeth are polished. You receive retainers, removable or a thin wire fixed behind the front teeth, to keep the teeth in their new position.

Appointments are arranged around your needs.

Possible risks

• Soreness for a few days after the braces are fitted and after adjustments.
• Ulcers where the brackets rub the cheeks or lips; orthodontic wax helps.
• White marks, decay and gum inflammation around the brackets if the teeth aren't cleaned well.
• Slight shortening of the roots, which can happen with any tooth movement and is usually minor.
• Brackets coming loose or wires poking, which we fix at your next visit or sooner if needed.
• Teeth moving back if retainers aren't worn as advised.

We go through the risks that apply to you before you decide.

Looking after your braces and teeth

• Brush carefully after meals with fluoride toothpaste, around each bracket and above and below the wire.
• Use small interdental brushes to clean under the wire and between the teeth.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods, and cut harder fruit into small pieces.
• Keep sugary and fizzy drinks to a minimum.
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports.
• Wear elastics and retainers exactly as advised, and keep your appointments.

Call us if a bracket comes loose, a wire pokes, a retainer breaks, or a tooth stays painful for more than a few days.

Fees

The fee depends on the type of braces and how much the teeth need to move. You receive a written estimate after the orthodontist's examination, before treatment starts. Call or WhatsApp us if you'd like an idea of the cost.