After installing braces, activation is required while wearing them. This is the name for correction of the bracket system: the doctor monitors its condition, regularly replacing elements as necessary. Braces are activated on average once a month, and this procedure is mandatory. We'll tell you the details in the article.
In this article
- Activation steps
- How often is activation required?
- Discomfort after activating braces
- Braces care
Activation of the braces system is a necessary part of orthodontic treatment to correct the bite. The classic design consists of several elements:
- braces that are attached to the teeth;
- an arc that creates the necessary pressure and sets the direction of movement;
- ligatures - these can be rings, elastic bands that combine all components into one system.
While wearing braces to correct your malocclusion, your teeth are gradually moved into a new position by the pressure of the archwire. It requires timely adjustment, as well as replacement of structural elements as necessary. Only regular activation of the system can ensure effective treatment results.
Plastic braces
Plastic braces were the first aesthetic braces. Compared to metal braces, they are less noticeable, but plastic is an imperfect material, so over time, such braces are stained with food coloring and the strength of the structure decreases. Plastic braces have been improved by introducing a metal slot, but their use is limited to mild cases with short treatment periods. Thus, their main advantage is their low price. In all other respects, they are unconditionally inferior to other types of modern braces, which include ceramic and sapphire braces.
Recommendations from experts
Doctors’ recommendations after the next activation are practically no different from those given immediately after installing braces.
Before activation, it is recommended to eat well, brushing your teeth thoroughly after eating.
Patients with a low pain threshold who have experienced severe pain after installing braces can take an analgesic half an hour before activation.
It is recommended to take the tablets in the first few days after activation, until the pain subsides.
Particular attention should be paid to oral care. In addition to a regular toothbrush, it is advisable to use additional products - mono-beam brushes, brushes, rinses, irrigators.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are very aesthetic and almost invisible. Made from polycrystalline aluminum oxide, which does not change color and is stronger than plastic. However, ceramic braces are relatively fragile, have high friction with the archwire, which slows down treatment, and are also difficult to remove.
New developments have led to the emergence of ceramic braces that do not have these disadvantages. These include ClarityTM braces, which are reinforced with a metal groove. This simplifies all orthodontic procedures, which significantly reduces the time spent on them by both the patient and the doctor. The strength characteristics unique to ceramic braces minimize the possibility of damage due to the inherent fragility of ceramic braces, and - most importantly - makes the procedure for removing the equipment simple and quick.
Doctor's course of action
The main work carried out during activation is the replacement or adjustment of arches, replacement of ligatures, adjustment of the locking mechanisms of the bracket slots. Specific actions are determined by the results of the previous stage.
The doctor performs the following activities:
- examines the braces, notes the results of the correction of the previous stage, plans what needs to be done at the moment;
- changes or adjusts the arc;
- changes ligatures;
- makes adjustments to self-ligating systems using mechanisms that lock the bracket slots;
- installs or adjusts springs and rods as necessary.
The application of wire and elastic ligatures, replacement and bending of arches is carried out using special orthodontic instruments - nippers, forceps, clamps. Thanks to them, the work goes quickly.
Watch the video to see how the braces are activated.
How often is professional hygiene necessary during orthodontic treatment?
With high-quality home care, professional hygiene is recommended for adults:
- at least once every 4 months when wearing mouth guards or vestibular system
- at least once every 2 months with lingual braces.
The occupational hygiene schedule for teenagers is selected individually, since not all children approach home hygiene responsibly.
Professional hygiene for those who wear braces: reviews
NatalyaJanuary 07, 2021
Thank you Olga Valentinovna for the excellent work! In addition to professionalism, every movement and word conveys sincere care, which is especially valuable in our time. The procedure was comfortable, taking into account the fact that I have increased sensitivity of some teeth. I liked the detailed consultation and extensive recommendations regarding home care. I will be happy to come again and recommend to friends. Special thanks to assistant Nadezhda, administrators and coordinator Ekaterina for the competent and clear organization. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Natalya, thank you for your kind words addressed to the doctor and our entire team! Yes, we give detailed recommendations because we believe proper home care is very important! We are always happy to help you and thank you for your willingness to recommend us!
Ekaterina MaksimovaJanuary 05, 2021
I thank Konstantin Sklyarov for the brilliant professional hygiene!
Konstantin is a professional magician! Very friendly, attentive, neat and calm doctor. He performed the work efficiently, without fuss, spoke in detail about the initial condition of the teeth, the procedures performed, and showed additional techniques for caring for the oral cavity. Konstantin, thank you for the excellent result, useful information and caring attitude! Good luck to you and further development in your profession! Always be the same great specialist! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Ekaterina, thank you for your kind words! We are very glad that you liked the professional hygiene. Come again, we are always ready to help you!
Radmila December 07, 2020
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the doctor Konstantin Aleksandrovich and his assistant for my shiny, clean teeth. I had a cleaning procedure, and the effect was as if it had also been whitened, I’m very pleased!! In a very pleasant, cheerful atmosphere, quickly and with full consultation, without questions, the highest level! Thanks to the doctors of this clinic, I stopped being afraid of dentists, now any procedure is a joy!) Thank you!!! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
We are glad that you have such a great result! We do a lot for this, purchase new equipment for professional hygiene, use the most modern materials, special powders that do not spoil the enamel, but at the same time clean perfectly. Thank you very much for your feedback! Come again!
SarahDecember 03, 2020
I express my gratitude to the hygienist Ekaterina Vladimirovna Grechukhina for the pearly beauty and freshness of my teeth! Hygiene was as painless and even pleasant as possible, thanks to the latest equipment, the light hands of Ekaterina Vladimirovna and assistant Daria, attentive and very neat! Recommendations and training were given on home care, choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste. THANKS A LOT! Highly recommend! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Thank you very much for your review and willingness to recommend us! Yes, we work hard to make every procedure in our clinic stress-free. This applies to both hygiene and treatment. Thanks for appreciating this!
VladislavNovember 13, 2020
The second time I visited Dr. O.V. Kogotko. and the second time I am very pleased with the result. The doctor did everything very carefully and thoroughly, not a single hint of pain, real “light hands.” During and after the procedure I received complete instructions on dental care. I strongly recommend the doctor to my friends! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for your feedback! Olga Valentinovna has really light and gentle hands, I agree with you! Good health, always happy to help!
Ekaterina November 04, 2020
Olenina Ekaterina Valentinovna you are now my tooth fairy! Thank you so much for an extraordinary 1.5 hours! I watched the film while brushing, without any unpleasant sensations and with the extraordinary care of the tooth fairy Catherine. I didn’t even expect that it was possible to achieve such a result of beautiful and clean teeth. So much useful information and gifts not only for me, but also for my daughter. What a pity that I didn’t know about such a wonderful clinic and extraordinary specialists before. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
It’s so good that you are with us now! Yes, we take professional hygiene as seriously as we take treatment. At the same time, we do everything carefully and gently. Thank you very much for noticing all this! We are always happy to help you!
KaterinaSeptember 26, 2020
I turned to Ekaterina Vladimirovna with bleeding gums. The doctor did a very good job of cleaning. After cleaning, she competently pointed out mistakes made during independent oral hygiene and advised how to avoid them in the future. Two days after visiting the doctor, the bleeding completely disappeared! Thank you very much for your professional help! And Ekaterina Vladimirovna also has very gentle hands! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Thank you for your feedback! We are very glad that we helped you cope with the problem! Gentle hands are extremely important for a dentist Good health, we will always be happy to help you!
Ekaterina September 22, 2020
I express my deep gratitude to the hygienist Valeria Vladimirovna Goncharova, for her gentle hands, for her kind attitude towards patients, for her skill and qualified approach! I recommend this wonderful specialist, a master of his craft! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for such kind words! We will definitely pass them on to Valeria Vladimirovna! And good health to you!
Olga31 July 2020
“It would be happiness, but misfortune would help”... I lost a tooth, a crown on a pin, and decided to go to the clinic that I had dreamed of, but had put off visiting for a very long time. The road to treatment and recovery will be long. And I am very happy that my first appointment was with Olga Valentinovna Kogotko. Since she, no one has ever performed hygiene on me before, anywhere! In addition to the amazing result (my family and work colleagues immediately noticed brighter teeth, and this without bleaching), I want to note the affectionate, calm, non-critical attitude towards me. Having some practice of treatment in “fashionable” dentistry behind me, I realized how behind the times the technology in them is... My story in your clinic began with Olga Valentinovna and I was incredibly surprised by the high professionalism and ability to psychologically manage and calm the patient. And strangely enough, she taught me to just breathe during the no longer tiring procedure)) And I’m already waiting for the time to lie down in Olga Valentinovna’s chair again)) Bravo! And thanks to the sweet angel assistant! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for your feedback! We are very happy to work with you and are always ready to help!
NatalyaJanuary 07, 2021
Thank you Olga Valentinovna for the excellent work! In addition to professionalism, every movement and word conveys sincere care, which is especially valuable in our time. The procedure was comfortable, taking into account the fact that I have increased sensitivity of some teeth. I liked the detailed consultation and extensive recommendations regarding home care. I will be happy to come again and recommend to friends. Special thanks to assistant Nadezhda, administrators and coordinator Ekaterina for the competent and clear organization. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Natalya, thank you for your kind words addressed to the doctor and our entire team! Yes, we give detailed recommendations because we believe proper home care is very important! We are always happy to help you and thank you for your willingness to recommend us!
Ekaterina MaksimovaJanuary 05, 2021
I thank Konstantin Sklyarov for the brilliant professional hygiene! Konstantin is a professional magician! Very friendly, attentive, neat and calm doctor. He performed the work efficiently, without fuss, spoke in detail about the initial condition of the teeth, the procedures performed, and showed additional techniques for caring for the oral cavity. Konstantin, thank you for the excellent result, useful information and caring attitude! Good luck to you and further development in your profession! Always be the same great specialist! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Ekaterina, thank you for your kind words! We are very glad that you liked the professional hygiene. Come again, we are always ready to help you!
Radmila December 07, 2020
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the doctor Konstantin Aleksandrovich and his assistant for my shiny, clean teeth. I had a cleaning procedure, and the effect was as if it had also been whitened, I’m very pleased!! In a very pleasant, cheerful atmosphere, quickly and with full consultation, without questions, the highest level! Thanks to the doctors of this clinic, I stopped being afraid of dentists, now any procedure is a joy!) Thank you!!! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
We are glad that you have such a great result! We do a lot for this, purchase new equipment for professional hygiene, use the most modern materials, special powders that do not spoil the enamel, but at the same time clean perfectly. Thank you very much for your feedback! Come again!
SarahDecember 03, 2020
I express my gratitude to the hygienist Ekaterina Vladimirovna Grechukhina for the pearly beauty and freshness of my teeth! Hygiene was as painless and even pleasant as possible, thanks to the latest equipment, the light hands of Ekaterina Vladimirovna and assistant Daria, attentive and very neat! Recommendations and training were given on home care, choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste. THANKS A LOT! Highly recommend! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Thank you very much for your review and willingness to recommend us! Yes, we work hard to make every procedure in our clinic stress-free. This applies to both hygiene and treatment. Thanks for appreciating this!
VladislavNovember 13, 2020
The second time I visited Dr. O.V. Kogotko. and the second time I am very pleased with the result. The doctor did everything very carefully and thoroughly, not a single hint of pain, real “light hands.” During and after the procedure I received complete instructions on dental care. I strongly recommend the doctor to my friends! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for your feedback! Olga Valentinovna has really light and gentle hands, I agree with you! Good health, always happy to help!
Ekaterina November 04, 2020
Olenina Ekaterina Valentinovna you are now my tooth fairy! Thank you so much for an extraordinary 1.5 hours! I watched the film while brushing, without any unpleasant sensations and with the extraordinary care of the tooth fairy Catherine. I didn’t even expect that it was possible to achieve such a result of beautiful and clean teeth. So much useful information and gifts not only for me, but also for my daughter. What a pity that I didn’t know about such a wonderful clinic and extraordinary specialists before. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
It’s so good that you are with us now! Yes, we take professional hygiene as seriously as we take treatment. At the same time, we do everything carefully and gently. Thank you very much for noticing all this! We are always happy to help you!
KaterinaSeptember 26, 2020
I turned to Ekaterina Vladimirovna with bleeding gums. The doctor did a very good job of cleaning. After cleaning, she competently pointed out mistakes made during independent oral hygiene and advised how to avoid them in the future. Two days after visiting the doctor, the bleeding completely disappeared! Thank you very much for your professional help! And Ekaterina Vladimirovna also has very gentle hands! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
Thank you for your feedback! We are very glad that we helped you cope with the problem! Gentle hands are extremely important for a dentist Good health, we will always be happy to help you!
Ekaterina September 22, 2020
I express my deep gratitude to the hygienist Valeria Vladimirovna Goncharova, for her gentle hands, for her kind attitude towards patients, for her skill and qualified approach! I recommend this wonderful specialist, a master of his craft! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for such kind words! We will definitely pass them on to Valeria Vladimirovna! And good health to you!
Olga31 July 2020
“It would be happiness, but misfortune would help”... I lost a tooth, a crown on a pin, and decided to go to the clinic that I had dreamed of, but had put off visiting for a very long time. The road to treatment and recovery will be long. And I am very happy that my first appointment was with Olga Valentinovna Kogotko. Since she, no one has ever performed hygiene on me before, anywhere! In addition to the amazing result (my family and work colleagues immediately noticed brighter teeth, and this without bleaching), I want to note the affectionate, calm, non-critical attitude towards me. Having some practice of treatment in “fashionable” dentistry behind me, I realized how behind the times the technology in them is... My story in your clinic began with Olga Valentinovna and I was incredibly surprised by the high professionalism and ability to psychologically manage and calm the patient. And strangely enough, she taught me to just breathe during the no longer tiring procedure)) And I’m already waiting for the time to lie down in Olga Valentinovna’s chair again)) Bravo! And thanks to the sweet angel assistant! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:
thank you very much for your feedback! We are very happy to work with you and are always ready to help!
Next review
Reviews
Installing braces is only the beginning of a long and complex process of teeth straightening. How it proceeds depends on many factors, primarily on the type and severity of the dental anomaly. Each case of a defect in the dentofacial apparatus is individual.
If you have had or are wearing braces, please share the specifics of your treatment. By leaving your comment at the bottom of the page, you will help future patients of dental clinics make the right choice.
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