Traditional braces move teeth into position in two stages, usually over a period of about two years. In the first year, the crown of the tooth is moved into alignment. In the second year, treatment addresses the position of the root of the tooth. However, the brackets used with Fastbraces® work on a different mechanical principle altogether. The patented system uses an innovative bracket and a specially- shaped wire to correct the position of the root of the tooth, from the beginning of treatment. This combination is key in realigning the root and crown simultaneously.
The Fastbraces® Technology brackets have an elevated slot and a unique elbow design. The shape of the bracket is critical because it literally changes the force-flexibility equation. The square shape of conventional brackets defines the distance between the brackets and that distance determines the flexibility of the wire. However, the triangular shape of the Fastbraces® patented bracket, with its elevated slot, typically increases the distance between the individual brackets, which increases the flexibility of the wire. Additionally, the “elbows” of the bracket help deliver torquing and tipping forces to the root from the beginning of treatment. These fundamental differences allow treatment to be completed in about a year, or as little as 3 months in select cases. For the consumer looking for an aesthetic cosmetic solution, Fastbraces®Clear™ ceramic brackets are also available and offer the same technology advantages of moving teeth as the Fastbraces® metal brackets.
Twenty (20) years of history, thousands of consecutively treated patients and university research have shown that Fastbraces® are not only safe but offer many additional benefits. Patients oftentimes experience less discomfort and there are no more risks with Fastbraces® than those associated with traditional braces. Additionally, the fact that the braces are on for less time means that there is possibly less chance of tooth decay due to improper oral hygiene. Treatment with Fastbraces® Technology improves the patient’s lifestyle because treatment typically takes just a few visits at the doctor’s office. Less doctor visits mean less money spent, less gas used getting to and from the doctor’s office and less time off school or work. Another remarkable benefit is the reduction of retainer usage. When the braces come off one needs to wear the retainers only 15 minutes a day in the shower, cleverly described as Fastbraces® “Tooth Shampoo”.
Why Are Teeth Crooked?
Teeth are crooked because they come in the mouth tilted, sideways and not upright in the position they need in order to be straight. This means that the root of a crooked tooth is not straight, or upright, as it should be had the tooth come in straight. Fastbraces® Technology targets the roots of the tooth from the beginning of treatment. If the root is upright, then the tooth becomes straight.
To do this properly, a special square super-elastic nickel-titanium wire is used in order to torque and upright the root. Old braces are typically square in shape and don’t provide for enough room between them (figure 1). If the square braces are replaced with triangular ones, the distance between the braces doubles (figure 2). Therefore, by doubling the distance, the flexibility of the square wire increases eight times (23 = 8). Thus, with Fastbraces® Technology, one square wire can be engaged comfortably and easily between the braces in order to upright the root from the beginning of treatment. Therefore, treatment time can be completed in about a year or as little as 3 months in some cases. (figure 3)