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what are the side effect of braces

Let’s learn a bit about what are the side effects of teeth braces? If patients have crooked teeth, they may have been referred to an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a doctor who specializes in aligning patients’ teeth , improving their smile and bite using braces. There are many reasons you must get your teeth straightened. If you have unaligned teeth you must align them for improved confidence, a better smile, ease of cleaning and maintaining oral hygiene, and improved functionality of the teeth.

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While these are facts, most patients have their own reservations about not getting this done. Be it the ugly look of the braces, the pain associated with it, restrictions in diet, or long duration of treatment.

There have been many new advancements in the field of orthodontics lately to encourage patients to get their teeth aligned. Some of these include clear braces or clear aligners, lingual braces, teeth braces,  accelerated orthodontics, and modern ceramic braces. But, do patients know that orthodontic treatment has side effects too? Yes, it is true! From a clinical perspective, orthodontic treatment has its own negative side. 

Side Effect of Braces is Damaged Tooth Root

Patients must be aware that each tooth has a ‘crown’ portion that is visible as the white part in the mouth and is used to chew and bite. Below the crown is the ‘root’ that anchors the tooth into the socket inside the bone. This bone part is covered by pink gums. When braces are tightened by the orthodontist, they apply forces on your teeth to bring about their movement. It is the root portion of the tooth that is moving, as your bone remodels or changes shape to make room for it.

This movement of the tooth causes erosion of its roots and is a normal sequel of orthodontic treatment. However, when forces in excess of what a tooth can bear are applied to it, this root erosion increases. In many cases, root erosion causes damage and can even cause the death of the tooth. These are usually the long term side effects of braces.

Side Effect of Braces is Pain

If patients know any orthodontic patients among their family or friends, one common complaint every patient may have heard is that “braces hurt!”.  About 70-95% of orthodontic patients experience pain at least once, during their braces treatment. Whenever your doctor tightens the wires in braces to apply forces on your teeth, it leads to some sensation in your teeth, which may be interpreted in the range of pressure to pain. 

Woman patient at dentist

 

When excessive forces are applied, it can lead to severe pain. In fact, in some cases, the pain is so much that the patients are unable to bear it and it causes them to discontinue their treatment midway.  It has been estimated that about 30% of orthodontic patients stop treatment due to this unbearable pain. Pain is more in the anterior teeth than in the posterior ones because of their smaller size and lesser thickness of the various layers of the tooth.

While it may be a deterrent to patients, many orthodontists advise them to take pain killers to relieve the pain. But, if there is excessive pain that is not subsiding, it is best to visit your orthodontist on an emergency basis.

Also Read: How to Wear Clear Aligners

  Side Effect of Teeth Braces is Tooth Death 

Orthodontic tooth alignment using braces can cause damage to the teeth. It can also lead to the death of a tooth. Each tooth in your mouth is made up of a layer that contains blood vessels and nerves that keeps the tooth alive. This layer is called the pulp. When braces are tightened and they, in turn, apply forces to the teeth, there is a mild inflammation that arises in this pulp layer. This reaction subsides when the forces on the tooth have reduced in due course of time. This is a major Side effect of teeth braces.

However, in many cases, there may be excessive forces applied on a tooth or a few teeth that results in chronic inflammation of the pulp layer. This chronic inflammation can damage the pulp and result in the death of the tooth.

 

side effect of braces is pain

Damaged Gums and Bone Also Side Effect of Braces

We have till now seen that the teeth move within the bone they are lodged in. This bone is covered by gums. While oral hygiene needs to be maintained in individuals without braces, the need for oral hygiene maintenance needs to increase in a patient with braces. This is because braces tend to accumulate more dirt and plaque on them. Not cleaning them in time or not doing so properly results in gum disease called gingivitis.

If gingivitis is not treated in time, it can spread to the tissues like underlying bone, which is responsible for keeping the tooth strongly anchored. If this situation arises this leads to loosening of the teeth, infection, and pus discharge, etc., all of which can delay or hamper orthodontic treatment.

Top 4 Factors leading to Damaged Gums 

The extent of damage to the gums and underlying bone depends on many factors such as :

  • Patient’s oral hygiene
  • Habits such as smoking or tobacco chewing
  • Lifestyle habits
  • Food routine of the patient.

 

Side Effect of Braces on Lips

Patients’ facial soft tissues like lips take shape based on the alignment of your teeth. In individuals with protruding teeth, the lips are often thick or bulky, and in severe cases do not come in close contact with each other giving an ‘open mouth’ appearance even when they are not in use. This Side effect of braces on Lips has been very rare.

However, when a patient is treated with braces and the teeth get aligned and are pulled backward, the lips find the ideal support and often adjust according to this. In the majority of cases, the lips often show positive results after completion of braces treatment.

So, we can say that there are some side effects of braces on the lips. There may be some minor irritation on the lips that can occur occasionally in some patients. This can be resolved using braces wax or some moisturizing creams on the lips.

 Side Effect of Braces is Increased Cavities

Just like orthodontic treatment causes side effects on the gums and bone, it also results in an increased risk of dental cavities. Poor oral hygiene is common in orthodontic patients. This often causes accumulation of food debris and plaque that contain bacteria on the teeth. These bacteria produce white demineralized spots which eventually lead to dental cavities if not attended timely.

Damaged Gums and Bone Also Side Effect of Braces

Problems in the TMJ or the Jaw joint

The joint that is responsible for biting, chewing, talking movements and that moves the lower jaw is called the TMJ or the jaw joint. A shocking 48-86% of the people in the world today have at least one clinical sign of a TMJ problem. One of the main causes of this jaw problem is the improper bite or alignment of the teeth inside the mouth.

Though orthodontic treatment is responsible for the patient’s teeth alignment, if the treatment is not done properly, it can aggravate the existing jaw problem or cause the TMJ to develop a new problem. TMJ problems can result in pain in the jaw or associated muscles, discomfort, difficulty in opening the mouth, difficulty in chewing, etc.

What is the effect of improper alignment of each tooth

Proper alignment of each tooth on a sprocket is essential, otherwise the load will not be distributed evenly across the surface. It is quite likely that the load can be carried by one edge, causing high bearing stresses only if the teeth of a gear are poorly machined.

Are there any Side Effects of Braces on Eyes & Face 

The most common myths that dental treatment, especially removal of the tooth, root canals or orthodontic treatments can harm your eyes. However, there are no cases of side effects of braces on the eyes.

Orthodontic treatment can correct the appearance and position of teeth, it also improves the facial appearance of the patient. In a patient whose upper and lower anterior teeth are protruding, braces are used to bring them backward in proper alignment. The soft tissues of the face and lips also adapt along with the teeth in their new positions. This often makes the nose of the patient look more prominent in the side profile. However, there are no side effects of braces on the face.

Tooth braces side effect of braces

 

 

For all those individuals who ask what are the side effects of braces? or “are braces worth it?”  It must be made clear that these side effects can occur during treatment but not in every case. If you are still anxious about orthodontic treatment, consult with your orthodontist. Pick an alternative treatment option of clear braces like 32 Watts clear aligners that are aesthetic, comfortable and have far lesser side effects than braces.

 

What are the side effect of braces in India

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Q: Can braces damage your teeth?

When the patient removes braces, the enamel on the surface of the tooth can permanently be damaged. Braces can also lead to the death of a tooth. Teeth in the mouth are made up of the number of layers which have blood vessels and nerves that keep the tooth alive. when one removes braces,  these nerves and blood vessel are also be affected.

Q: How Long Will my Teeth Hurt after Braces are put on?

Patients feel some discomfort during the first week after their braces are put on. While it may be a deterrent to patients, many orthodontists/dentists advise them to take pain killers to relieve the pain.

Q: What are the disadvantages of teeth braces?

There are many disadvantages of braces such as

  • Harsh on gums & soft tissue
  • Lesions, cuts or ulcerations on lips or cheek
  • Damage to enamel(white lesions)
  • Damage to the root of teeth
  • Poor oral hygiene and dental cavities
  • Severe pain during tightening of bracket wires
  • Many dietary restrictions because of fixed braces
  • Aesthetically non-appealing

Q: Can braces cause neurological problems?

No, Braces do not cause neurological problems. There is no neurological side effect of braces.