Your helpful guide to removable functional braces treatment

One of the lesser known yet effective orthodontic appliances is the functional braces. Not many people are in fact aware about its existence. Let us explore this treatment option in details across the following sections of this post.

What exactly are functional braces?

Functional braces are just a distinct range of appliance known in the world of orthodontic dentistry for correcting the position of the jaw. This range of braces is mainly meant for younger patients who have tender bones and tissues both in the jaw and the gum. Dental practitioners usually recommend this category of braces in cases of extreme overbite. These braces enable the jaw to grow into the accurate position. Functional braces adapt itself to the muscles in your jaw and the overall face and this is how it corrects your bite. 

Benefits it offers

This range of orthodontic braces offers a number of advantages which include the following –

• Easily removable and hence least disrupt your normal lifestyle

Functional braces are meant to wear round the clock throughout the day and the night. However the appliances are easily removable which actually means the range of braces least disrupts your normal lifestyle or daily routine. In the initial days it is better to remove the braces only during meals and cleaning the teeth. Gradually as your teeth get used to it, you can have your meals without removing the braces from the teeth. This approach is definitely a booster to the progress of your treatment. There are certain occasions in everyday life when you must remove these functional appliance braces from the teeth and the occasions include daily brushing and flossing the teeth to maintain optimum oral hygiene, playing any wind instrument and participating in any contact sports. Removing the appliance from the teeth during these occasions ensures there is no accidental damage or breakage which will inevitably withheld the progress of the treatment for at least a few days before proper repairing or replacement is done. If at any point of time there is a problem with these braces you should inform your treatment provider about it immediately.

• Effective in bite correction

It is tried and tested fact that the range of braces is effective in correcting bite problems. 

• Better oral hygiene

While you are on a braces treatment it is vital to maintain optimum oral hygiene so that there is no harmful bacteria build-ups to suffer from cavities in the tooth and gum disease. However maintaining optimum oral hygiene wearing braces is never easy. But if you are on removable braces – like functional braces – then obviously the task is quite easier. You just remove the braces from the teeth and brush or floss the teeth as usual. Once you are done wear the braces back in place. While you are on functional braces you should brush the teeth with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Fluoride toothpaste is the best option for the teeth at this stage. While brushing try cleaning each tooth as much as possible and make sure the bristles reach the gum line. Your brushing regimen should be followed by flossing. With an inter-dental toothbrush reaching the areas in the mouth that a normal brush cannot is not only possible but also easier. If you want extra cleanliness then you can use a fluoride-based mouthwash. It is even better and more effective if you swish the mouth with fluoride mouthwash at a time different to brushing. 

The way functional braces work

The appliance comes in a set of twin blocks and the blocks consist of braces that are fitted to the upper and the lower arches. These blocks are removable to allow you to chill out a bit for at least sometime every day. The two braces work together to move both your teeth and the jaw. The appliance stretches the muscles in your jaw and encourages the teeth to move and the bones to grow into much better positions. It is important mentioning that functional braces prove most effective on young patients who are at tender age and the tissues and bone structures in their mouth are still growing.  

This range of braces provides best results when you keep wearing those round the clock all the time. However these removable braces are meant to be removed when you are eating, taking part in any kind of contact sports or brushing and cleaning the teeth. Initially when you switch to these braces for the first time, your jaw muscles will probably ache and that is an absolutely common phenomenon. In spite of the ache and discomfort you must keep wearing these removable functional braces and if the pain becomes very acute you can go for mild painkillers like paracetamol to get relief. The good part of this initial painful experience is within a few days your teeth will become used to the appliance and all the discomfort and pain will gradually wither away. Even your teeth will start changing positions and suddenly all the good things about the treatment will pop up together.

FAQs on functional braces

• Are these braces unbearably painful?

Initially during first few days or a week or two at the most after you start wearing the braces you are likely to experience some pain and discomfort. But these side effects are temporary and once your teeth get accustomed with the braces the problems will gradually vanish away.

• How long do I have to be on these braces?

As you understand there is no fixed time for these treatments and it depends on various factors like the exact condition of a patient, the level of severity and such other factors. Usually, functional braces have to be worn full time anywhere between 6 and 12 months to get desired results. 

• How much do these braces cost?

The cost of functional braces in the UK varies from case to case and practice to practice depending upon several factors. On an average estimate it costs within the range of £1,300 and £1,800.

Cleaning and taking care of function braces

Cleaning and maintaining functional braces are simple, just brush the appliance gently using a toothbrush that has soft bristles. A dentist based in 1A Orthodontics London having years of experience in functional orthodontic treatment suggests if you do not use the same brush which you brush your teeth with it is always better.