Orthodontic Braces for The Fashion or Esthetic: Report of 2 Cases

Abstract

Although malocclusion correction is the major reason for orthodontic treatment, these braces are occasionally worn for aesthetic or fashion reasons. These orthodontic braces can be colourful and may be of many different shapes than those used for orthodontic treatment. Using false dental braces offered by dental quacks could endanger the patients' oral health. However, many people, particularly young people, still find these fake braces appealing. We present two cases where coloured orthodontic braces were used for fashion purposes. A male patient (case 1) of 24 years with occlusal caries in the maxillary right first molar. The patient was wearing braces purely for aesthetic reasons. In the second case, a 22-year-old male patient was wearing false or fashion braces for cosmetic reasons while having malocclusion and needing therapeutic orthodontic therapy. Fashion braces, commonly referred to as fake braces, closely resemble functional orthodontic braces in appearance. However, they serve no therapeutic function. This substandard orthodontic treatment may cause damage to patients' teeth, gums, lips, and supporting bones. This trend is currently present in the nations of the Middle East. Therefore, regulations and procedures need to be more strictly enforced to track and stop the usage of fashion braces.