If you have crowded teeth, misaligned bites, or gaps between the teeth, just like millions of others, you’ll have to wear braces to achieve a straighter beautiful smile. One of the very first questions patients ask their dentists is, “How long does it take to put on braces?”
This blog will explain how long it takes to get braces and will explore the process of getting braces.
How Long Does It Take Put On Braces?
In most cases, putting on braces takes around 60-120 minutes, which means you can either watch your favorite movie or get braces. The types of braces needed and the severity of your misalignment are the main factors that affect the length of time required by braces to settle on your teeth.
Does Getting Braces Hurt?
When your dentist puts braces on your teeth, you may feel slight pressure, but no such pain to scare you off.
The Process of Getting Traditional Metal Braces
Placing Orthodontic Separators
The orthodontist will put rubber bands or spacers to create gaps for patients who have very little or no spaces between their back teeth. You’ll have to visit your dentist for spacers a week before getting the braces. This space is required for the bands to fit securely.
One bad thing about spacers is that you’ll experience a little pain in your jaw and back teeth as your teeth create space for the rubber bands.
Cleaning the Teeth
Clean teeth are very important to get braces. Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth before placing the braces. After the process is complete, it’s time to wear your new dental appliances.
Gluing on the brackets
Brackets are made of metal or ceramic material, and their job is to keep the wires intact.
To place the brackets on your teeth, your dentist will apply tiny glue to each tooth, and afterward, the teeth are exposed to a special light to tighten the glue. The taste of the glue isn’t good, but it not bad for your health. Next, the bracket is placed on the tooth’s center.
Sliding on the bands
To firmly fit your braces, the dentist will place bands made of metal around the molars at the back of your teeth. Now the doctor will place some glue to the right-sized band and fit it on your tooth.
Fitting the band will require some pressure or twisting, so do tell your dentist if you feel some sort of pinching. The bands can be maneuvered to give maximum comfort.
Things to remember
A few moments after getting your braces, you may feel some pain. The discomfort may only come when you bite on something, or you may experience a headache or achy jaw for a week or more.
To ease the pain and discomfort, take some over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. You can also use oral anesthetics for numbing effects.
For more information, contact the experts at Cypress Dental Clinic. To get in touch, call (832)-427-6620.