Orthodontics
Few people are lucky enough to be born with perfect teeth, but many can have them thanks to modern dentistry and contemporary orthodontic methods. Properly performed orthodontic treatment is of great importance for anyone who desires perfect harmony. A beautiful smile and great teeth can help in many life situations.
Tasks of orthodontics
The task of orthodontics is to bring about the proper alignment of teeth in the dental arch, as well as to restore the correct occlusion between the maxilla and mandible. The basic form of treatment is the use of orthodontic appliances. Untreated malocclusions can lead to various more serious complications: periodontal diseases, loosening, extrusion of teeth, and even disorders in the temporomandibular joints. In our clinic, we are able to treat any malocclusion.
Depending on the needs, an orthodontist can propose many solutions. The age of the patient is a determining factor in the choice of treatment method.
An orthodontic appliance for adults modifies teeth that are no longer growing. The orthodontist's goal is to make the most of all possibilities to achieve a state in which the patient happily accepts the work done together with the orthodontist. In the case of an adult, this process is usually longer, more labor-intensive, and demanding than in the case of treating children. That is why it is so important to notice the orthodontic problem at a very early stage. An orthodontist's work with a child offers much greater possibilities for proper, faster, and more effective correction than in the case of an adult.
Why is it that some people have had beautiful teeth "forever," while others have to undergo orthodontic treatment?
There can be several reasons, most often it is due to neglect during the period of transitioning from baby teeth to permanent teeth. Improper tooth eruption occurs when the emerging permanent tooth does not have enough space. A baby tooth that is not removed at the right time can effectively block the new tooth from settling into the correct position within the patient's maxilla or mandible. A lack of orthodontic correction at this stage can result in the crooked alignment of the permanent teeth. The second reason is too much free space. In cases of significantly premature loss of a large number of baby teeth, ahead of the natural replacement process, the lack of boundaries and obstacles to growth can also cause the permanent teeth to grow in crookedly.
Crooked teeth – causes
Genetic predispositions
Bad habits from childhood (prolonged pacifier or thumb sucking)
Premature loss or extraction of baby teeth
Erupting wisdom teeth
There is no set age when children should first receive orthodontic care. It depends largely on individual needs. It is important to check at an early stage of every child's development whether they need specialist orthodontic care. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will prevent problems in the future. Presumably, most children requiring an orthodontic consultation will still need braces and additional care in later years to successfully complete the teeth alignment process.
The amount of work can be significantly reduced if orthodontic treatment is introduced at the right moment of the child's development. For example, children with a cleft palate receive braces even before their first teeth erupt. Other children can benefit from starting treatment as early as age 6 or 7, when they still have their primary teeth. The goal is to create a suitable environment for the proper growth of permanent teeth at this stage.
Solutions
Traditional braces
Traditional braces are made of high-quality stainless steel and have metal brackets that are attached to each tooth. The brackets are connected to each other with a thin archwire, which exerts pressure on the teeth, causing them to move slowly towards the correct position. The archwires are connected to the brackets with tiny rubber bands called ligatures, which the orthodontist changes every time they tighten the braces. The color of the ligatures recommended by orthodontists for aesthetic reasons is silver or white, but it is possible to make the braces in any color chosen by the patient.
Pros:
durable construction
solid material
Cons:
need for more frequent consultations to adjust the brace settings
possibility of pain
Ceramic braces
They work the same way as traditional braces, but the brackets are made of clear ceramic material. The brackets in such braces are less visible. Therefore, these braces are also referred to as aesthetic or cosmetic.
Pros:
less visible
better tolerated than metal
Cons:
more prone to damage
longer period of use
Self-ligating fixed braces
This type of orthodontic appliance is currently very popular among orthodontists and patients because it provides gentler treatment and does not require frequent visits to adjust the brace. In self-ligating braces, a sliding mechanism is used instead of rubber bands (ligatures) to connect the wires. This solution results in less friction and pressure on the teeth, and therefore less pain. And this translates into greater comfort when wearing the braces.
Pros:
fewer visits to the dentist
easier oral hygiene
faster treatment process
little pain
Cons:
higher cost
Lingual braces
As the name suggests, the brace is placed on the inner side of the teeth - on the side of the tongue - which makes it almost invisible. This is a great advantage when the patient expects the orthodontic treatment to be almost imperceptible to other people. In this type of brace, the brackets are prepared individually and must fit perfectly to the inner side of the teeth.
Pros:
great aesthetic value – they are basically invisible
high comfort
faster treatment
Cons:
high cost of preparation
cannot be performed on every patient
problems with maintaining proper hygiene
Aligner systems - Invisalign and Orthocaps
The system of clear teeth aligners has revolutionized the orthodontic treatment market, which has never been so precise and comfortable. Typically, teeth straightening takes from several to several dozen months. Modern orthodontic treatment systems have significantly accelerated the entire cycle. How is this possible? All thanks to the use of specialized computer software and 3D visualization.
At the beginning, the orthodontist determines what problems the patient is struggling with. Data on the condition of the dentition in the form of diagnostic records such as; panoramic X-rays, tomography, digital photos, impressions are collected in a computer program. Based on the gathered information, the orthodontist, using computer processing, diagnoses the possibilities, determines the best method and duration of treatment.
Digitally developed data allow for the creation of a 3D visualization tailored for each patient. The patient gets a detailed treatment plan; during the simulation on the screen, they watch how their teeth will behave in individual months of the program. Importantly, everything that previously required several visits now usually takes place during one meeting in the orthodontic office.
The treatment itself is a procedure following a strict plan. Everything takes place according to assumptions previously accepted and discussed with the patient. The patient independently puts on the aligners received from the orthodontist, which are replaced every 7-14 days. Each new aligner moves the teeth to the appropriate position and brings the process closer to the end of treatment. Aligners are worn all the time, they are removed only when eating or cleaning the oral cavity. Importantly, control visits are much less frequent than when using traditional braces. In this case, the patient remembers to change the aligners to new ones at the appropriate time.
A very big advantage of aligner systems is also the high comfort of wearing and aesthetic reasons – the aligners are clear, making it difficult for other people to notice them. This is important. More and more people planning orthodontic treatment consider the invisibility of the appliance to be one of their priority features.
Pros:
computer precision of diagnosis and manufacturing
very detailed and accurate treatment plan
process visualization – the Patient sees on screen how their teeth will behave during treatment
hygiene – aligners can be easily removed and put on
optimization of doctor's and patient's time – aligners are self-service
aesthetic value – made of transparent material, barely noticeable
comfortable to use
failure-free
Cons:
in some cases they are not applicable
Orthodontic appliances for children
Removable orthodontic appliances are used to straighten teeth and correct malocclusions in children. The orthodontic appliance works by applying pressure to the teeth and jaws to move them into the desired position. Children's orthodontic appliances are made of various materials; stainless steel, ceramics, plastic, or a combination of these. Materials such as nickel-titanium or copper-titanium are also used, making them much more durable and requiring fewer adjustments than classic stainless steel wires.
These types of appliances can be removed for eating or brushing, and sometimes they are worn only at night or for another period during the day. The wearing time is determined in each case by the orthodontist. It is important to monitor how the child uses the appliance. Consistency in action is key. Careful cleaning of the appliance, oral hygiene, adhering to the designated wearing times, and keeping up with follow-up appointments are shared tasks for children and parents.
It is worth making sure that the child enjoys working on their teeth. That is why we always allow young patients to choose the color of the appliance and we try to optimize its selection in terms of comfort of use and the necessity of orthodontic treatment. Thanks to the joint effort of the orthodontist, child, and parents, the treatment becomes faster and more effective!
Tips for oral care during orthodontic treatment
It is important to use dental floss during orthodontic treatment to clean hard-to-reach surfaces between teeth. Your treating orthodontist will recommend the appropriate floss and brushes, and the dental hygienist will demonstrate how to use them properly.
Soft-bristle brushes are ideal for cleaning teeth with orthodontic appliances attached. Start brushing at a 45-degree angle to the gum line, making small circular motions. Next, clean the surfaces around the brackets by tilting the brush downwards, so as to focus the action for a moment on each bracket. Finally, reposition the brush, tilting it upwards to get under the lower part of the bracket and the wire. For brushing, use a high-quality fluoride toothpaste.
After brushing your appliance and teeth, rinse your mouth with a mouthwash to remove any remaining food particles, bacteria, and to reduce tartar build-up.
If you play sports, wear a mouthguard. Thanks to them, you can avoid serious cuts and prevent damage to your orthodontic appliance.
