Sapphire braces: advantages, disadvantages, installation, photo before and after

Correction of the distorted dentition has long been carried out with the help of bracket systems, but the materials used and the installation technology of these structures are constantly being improved. The process of bite correction takes a long time, and during this period a person has to constantly be in sight with a foreign body in his mouth. Therefore, after becoming familiar with the range of orthodontic designs, many choose the most aesthetic bracket systems are sapphire.

Design features

The sapphire bracket system is made of a material called artificial sapphire. This is monocrystalline aluminum oxide, which is characterized by both strength and aesthetic appearance. The transparency of the installed braces makes them inconspicuous and discreet.

The design includes such components:

• Sapphire braces with locks for contact with teeth and grooves for fixing with an arc. Sapphire elements are made in high temperature and then faceted, which provides them with an ideal shape, eliminating trauma to the soft tissues of the oral cavity.
• A metal arc connecting all braces together. The metal from which the arc is made has a unique property - shape memory. Therefore, fixed braces constantly affect the teeth in a given direction, which allows you to adjust the position of each tooth in a row. The arc is characterized by a metallic luster, therefore it is noticeable during a conversation, but there are also less catchy products - matte or coated with a composite composition. The coating has low strength, so it can eventually separate from the braces.
• Ligatures - retainers that hold the arc in the grooves of the braces. They come in different shades, but it is better to choose darker ones, since light ones are often colored due to food and drinks. There are also ligature-free designs, in them special locks are used for fixing.

Indications and contraindications

Braces are installed to correct crowding of the teeth or wide interdental gaps formed due to excessive divergence of dental units. They are able to return to the place of a tooth that has crookedly grown and protrudes beyond the line of the dentition. This correction method is suitable for adults and adolescents over 14 years old.

Contraindications for the installation of bracket systems are artificial crowns, the presence of a large number of fillings. Do not put braces on people who have problems with the psyche and immunity. Correction should be postponed temporarily for those who are diagnosed with inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity or infections of other organs - they need to be treated, after which it will be possible to proceed to correct the occlusion.

The doctor may refuse to install braces for those patients who do not observe oral hygiene, do not eat well and do not agree to adjust their diet for the treatment period.

Benefits

Sapphire bracket systems have very important advantages over other designs:

• Transparency, thanks to which the design does not spoil the aesthetics of the smile, as, for example, metal braces.
• Careful faceting, which ensures smoothness of braces and prevents injury to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
• Elements of the system shine in the sun, which is perceived by others as a kind of decoration of the teeth.
• The materials used are inert (except for locks), do not interact with food components and therefore do not change color over time.
• Materials for the manufacture of the system are hypoallergenic.

Photo: sapphire braces on teeth

Patients note that addiction to sapphire braces is very fast, and that they do not cause severe discomfort.

Disadvantages and cost

For most patients The most important disadvantage of sapphire braces is their high cost. Many people choose alternative materials for the manufacture of braces, because they are not ready to pay more than 50-100 thousand rubles for tooth correction. The most expensive model of a sapphire bracket system is Inspire Ice, its cost ranges from 120 to 140 thousand rubles.

More often, sapphire design flaws are encountered by patients who turn to dentistry with poor quality of service. It is because of the inexperience of doctors and the insufficient equipment of clinics that a greater number of structural failures occur, problems due to their improper installation, to no avail after several years of tooth correction. But even with a quality installation, such disadvantages of sapphire braces may appear, such as:

• The fragility of the structure, especially when fixing without ligatures.
• The inability to correct serious bite defects, in such cases sapphire systems are replaced by metal ones.
• A noticeable color difference between sapphire elements and yellow teeth. For the same reason, the shine of elements in the sun can cause a negative effect. Patients with yellow enamel are recommended to install ceramic systems.
• Slightly larger size of system elements than metal braces.
• Long term correction.

Installation of sapphire braces, photo before and after installation

As soon as the patient decides to install sapphire braces, the dentist will begin to prepare the oral cavity. It includes a thorough examination and a complete sanitation of the mouth, as in inflammatory or carious processes, braces cannot be placed. After treatment, dental casts are taken, which are necessary for the subsequent manufacture of the structure.

When the braces are made, the patient will again come to the orthodontist to fix the structure on the teeth. Braces are attached to the front tooth surface using a special dental glue, and an arc is installed on them. The installation process can take 2-3 hours.

This is followed by a long process of correction of the dentition, during which the patient must get used to the presence of a foreign body and learn how to properly care for the oral cavity. Sometimes there are situations when the locks are opened, or other difficulties arise. To eliminate them, be sure to contact your dentist. But even without problems, it is necessary to regularly visit a doctor 1-2 times a month to control the correction process.

Photo: teeth before and after straightening with sapphire braces

Braces Care

Sapphire braces have to be worn from several months to several years - depending on the complexity of the defect and the age of the patient. During this period, oral hygiene should be more thorough, since it becomes more difficult to eliminate plaque from the surface of the teeth:

• There should be different toothbrushes at hand: ordinary and special with check-shaped bristles.
• It is necessary to purchase special devices for cleaning brackets: brushes and an irrigator, which allows you to remove food debris from under the structure using a jet of water.
• Flossing is recommended.
• You need to brush and rinse your teeth after each meal.
• Rinse your mouth regularly with an antiseptic. The most suitable drug is recommended by the attending physician.
• Need daily inspection of braces for contamination and damage. If a problem occurs, you should visit your dentist.

Correction of the dentition with the help of braces is reflected in the patient's nutrition: during this period it is not advisable to eat solid or very viscous food. It can not only get stuck in the gaps between the teeth, but also contribute to the breakdown of the system.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the composition of the products used. If they contain dyes or aggressive chemical components, then the braces that lock them can change color. Therefore, tea and coffee during the correction period should be drunk less often. The white arc covered with the composite substance darkens no matter what kind of food the patient takes, so it needs to be changed periodically.

For many patients, correction with sapphire braces is the best way to eliminate dental defects. But for successful alignment of the dentition, one must strictly adhere to the rules of dental care and nutrition. It is necessary to choose only experienced and conscientious specialists who correctly install the system, otherwise it will not be possible to correct the curvature of the teeth even with perfect care for the oral cavity.