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What are some signs that braces may be needed?
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Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together [deep bite] Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth [underbite] The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together [open bite] Crowded or overlapped teeth - the center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old Difficulty chewing Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together Spaces between the teeth.
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At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?
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Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age, even as early as age 5. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications.
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Do braces hurt?
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The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
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How does orthodontic treatment work?
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Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.
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How long does orthodontic treatment take?
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Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping treatment time on schedule.
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