Swallowing occurs 24 hours per day and about 2000 times each day. Each time you swallow, one to six pounds of pressure is applied to the inside structures of the mouth. Normally when a person swallows, the middle section of the tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth. When the tongue is placed between and behind the teeth, this pressure pushes the teeth apart and out, causing distortions of the face and teeth. This abnormal swallowing motion is known as "tongue thrust." This condition is most common in adolescents or adults, braces may be worn between two and three years, depending on how crowded or misaligned the teeth are. Once the teeth are stable in their alignment, the braces are removed, and a fixed retainer is placed on the back of the lower teeth to hold them in place; the upper teeth are held with a removable retainer. Retainers are worn for two or more years depending on the severity of the original condition. The lower retainer should be worn as long as possible, as the highest chance of relapse occurs with the lower front teeth.
When crowding is detected early in children (when baby teeth are still present), a functional appliance or braces can be placed so that when the baby teeth fall out, the appliance/braces hold back the rest of the molars, acting as a "spacer." The patient is instructed to turn the appliance's screw each night, which slowly widens the upper jaw in order to make room for the impending adult teeth. Although the expansion process is achieved in approximately four months, the appliance should be worn for the next six to nine months to ensure maximum long-term results.
Whether braces, an oral appliance, or extraction is used to reduce tooth crowding, your orthodontist knows the quickest and most efficient way to resolve your situation. Be sure to alert him or her to your expectations and time constraints. Undoubtedly, a healthy smile will follow.