Choosing between braces and aligners
Are braces or aligners better? +
Neither is better for everyone. Aligners are removable and discreet, and they suit many mild to moderate cases of crowding or spacing. Fixed braces handle twisted teeth and more demanding bite corrections more predictably, and they work without your help. Aligners rely on you wearing them for most of the day. Dr. Mahesh will examine your teeth and tell you which is realistic, then talk through the trade-offs.
Do aligners work for every case, and who should plan them? +
No. Some bite problems, rotated teeth or larger movements are better handled with fixed braces or a combination. Aligners should be planned and monitored by a dentist who has examined your mouth, ideally with X-rays first. Before starting anywhere, ask what happens if a tray doesn't fit, whether refinements and retainers are included, and who you see if something goes wrong. Be wary of any plan where nobody examined you in person.
Can adults get braces, and is there an age limit? +
Yes, adults can have braces or aligners, and there is no fixed age limit. What matters is healthy gums and enough bone around the teeth, so a gum check comes first. Adults often choose ceramic braces or aligners because they look less obvious at work. Treatment may take a little longer than in a teenager, and retainers matter even more afterwards. Existing crowns or fillings can affect how brackets are placed.
What are invisible braces? Are ceramic braces the same as aligners? +
People use invisible braces for several things, so check what is meant. Most often it means clear aligners, which are removable trays. It can also mean ceramic braces, which are fixed brackets in a tooth-coloured material, or braces fitted on the back of the teeth. Ceramic brackets are less noticeable than metal ones but still visible up close. Ask how visible each would be on your teeth.
Do I need teeth taken out for braces? +
Not always. It depends on how crowded your teeth are, how far the front teeth stick out and how much space is available. Some cases are treated without removing any teeth. When extractions are advised, they are usually of small teeth at the side of the mouth, done under local anaesthetic, and planned from your X-rays. Dr. Mahesh will explain why before anything is decided, and you can ask for a second view.
During treatment
Do braces hurt, and for how many days? +
Fitting braces isn't painful, but the teeth feel tight and tender a few hours later, and this can last several days. It tends to return, more mildly, after adjustments. Soft food and an ordinary painkiller taken as per the label usually cope with it. Cheeks and lips may be sore for a week or two until they toughen. If pain goes on beyond a few days, or a wire or bracket is digging in, call us.
I feel no pressure since getting braces. Are they working? +
Quite possibly. People differ widely in how much they feel, and teeth can move with little discomfort. Progress is judged by how the teeth have shifted at your appointments, not by the ache. If nothing seems to be changing at all after several visits, say so at the next one and Dr. Mahesh will check the wires, elastics and your plan.
How long will braces take? +
Most courses run somewhere between one and three years, but yours depends on how crowded or misaligned the teeth are, your age, and how closely you follow instructions. Missed visits, broken brackets and skipped elastics all add months. Dr. Mahesh will give you an estimate after examining your teeth, and will tell you if it changes along the way.
How many hours a day must aligners be worn, and can I eat normally? +
Most systems expect around twenty to twenty-two hours a day, but your dentist's instructions are the ones to follow. You take the trays out to eat and drink, so there are fewer food rules than with fixed braces. Brush before putting them back, or food gets trapped against the teeth. Keep them in their case at meals. Leaving them out for long stretches stalls progress.
What foods should I avoid with braces? +
Anything hard, sticky or very chewy can break brackets or bend wires: popcorn, hard chikki, toffee, chewing gum, whole apples and cucumber, and corn bitten off the cob. Cut food into small pieces instead. Sugary snacks and drinks matter too, because plaque collects around brackets and can leave marks on the teeth. Ask for the full list at your fitting visit.
After the braces come off
How long do I have to wear a retainer, and is it for life? +
Your dentist decides, but the honest answer is often long term. A common pattern is wearing it most of the day for the first months, then at night only, and for some people a fine wire bonded behind the front teeth stays in for years. Teeth keep drifting slightly as we age, so a retainer is what protects the result you worked for. Don't stop on your own.
I stopped wearing my retainer and my teeth have moved. What now? +
Come in and have your teeth looked at; don't try to force the old retainer on. A small shift may be corrected with a new retainer or a short course of aligners, while a larger change may need braces again. Dr. Mahesh will check how much has moved and what is realistic. If your old retainer hurts or no longer fits, that is a sign the teeth have moved.
Can I have my braces removed early for a wedding or exam? +
It is better not to. Taking braces off before the teeth have finished moving can leave them in a half-corrected position, and they may drift back. Never remove brackets yourself. If you have an event, tell us as early as possible and Dr. Mahesh can say whether the timing can be worked around, or whether the finish date is already close enough.
Children, cost and insurance
At what age should a child get braces? +
There is no single age. Many children who need braces start somewhere between about eight and fourteen, depending on how their teeth and jaws are growing. A check in the early school years is reasonable if you see crooked teeth, upper front teeth sticking out, or a bite that looks off, and often the advice is simply to watch. See also
dentistry for children. Dr. Mahesh will tell you whether to act now or review in a year.
How much do braces or aligners cost in Mumbai? +
It depends on your case, so a figure given without an examination would be a guess. What shapes the cost: the type of appliance, how complex the movement is, how long treatment is likely to run, whether extractions or extra appliances are needed, how many visits, and whether retainers are included. After examining you, Dr. Mahesh explains the options and what each involves. Call or
message us on WhatsApp to arrange that visit.
Is braces treatment covered by health insurance? +
Often not. Braces and aligners are usually treated as elective or cosmetic, and many policies exclude them, though some cover dental treatment only after an accident or if you are admitted to hospital. Read your policy for outpatient dental cover, waiting periods and exclusions, or ask your insurer. We can give you a written estimate and records for your paperwork, but we can't say what your plan will pay.
