December 2016 177 www.bahrainthismonth.com Dr Saji C Abraham, consultant (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics) at this hospital tells us how it’s never too late to acquire a dazzling smile. Style Your Smile MIDDLE EAST HOSPITAL Dr Saji C. Abraham Orthodontic treatment, or what is commonly known as braces, is not only for children. Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients. In the last few years, a major development in dental practices has been observed. A change in lifestyles and patient awareness has increased the demand for grown-ups seeking this particular treatment. More and more people are recognising the benefits of the advances in orthodontics to get the smile they desire, thanks to new sophisticated procedures which make the process more comfortable and successful than ever for people of all ages. When considering getting braces, the patient’s age is relatively unimportant. The tissues of the gum involved are the same as in a child’s, only more mature in adults. Dr Abraham, who practices at the state-of-the-art department of dental and maxillofacial surgery at the Middle East Hospital notes that what is important is the general health of the teeth and gums, as healthy teeth can be moved at any age. Orthodontic forces are able to move one’s pearly whites in the same way for both, adults and children. Even in cases involving gum disease and tooth loss, dental health and tooth alignment can be significantly improved through orthodontics. He observes that adults who seek treatment fall into two different categories; the first is younger adults, typically under 35 years of age, (often in their 20s) who did not receive orthodontic treatment earlier on. For this group, the goal is to help correct a crooked dentition or spaces between teeth that they have been self-conscious about for years. It can give them confidence and pride that comes with straight teeth and a good looking smile. In more complex cases, dento-facial irregularities can be corrected by surgical orthodontics in collaboration with oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The second group of people who may need braces are by and large in their 40s or 50s. They generally have other dental problems and need orthodontics as part of a larger treatment plan. For such patients, orthodontic treatment is needed to control dental disease and restoration of missing teeth, so fixture of braces is an adjunctive procedure to the larger periodontal and restorative goals. If you are an adult who feels hesitant to wear braces, especially if you work in the customer service sectors of your industry, Middle East Hospital provides many progressive options to keep the appearance of braces discrete. For instance, ceramic braces are made of clear material, which makes them much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Another viable option is Lingual Orthodontics which involves fitting the brackets to the back of the teeth to hold the wires that arrange the teeth into new positions. ‘Damon Clear’ is part of the innovative Damon system, which uses a tie-less slide mechanism that allows high-technology wires to move freely through the bracket. This reduces friction and binding, allowing teeth to move quickly and comfortably. Orthodontic aligners are customised, invisible plastic aligners made by computer-aided designs to gently move teeth into a new position. Call 17 362-233.
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