Proper occlusion (bite) is one of the prerequisites for long-term health of the teeth, but also of the entire dento-maxillary apparatus. And because the human body is an integrated system, each function has a role in a larger system. In this case, the occlusion will automatically affect the health of the entire digestive system. From an even broader perspective, proper nutrition means a healthy body as a whole. Hence, the repair of dento-maxillary anomalies has not only an aesthetic function, but also a functional one, with profound implications for the health of the whole body. This is where orthodontics comes into play: the specialization of dentistry, which aims to study and treat dento-maxillary anomalies.
Dento-maxillary abnormalities are disorders of growth and development of the dento-maxillary apparatus and may occur as an expression of genetic inheritance or due to environmental factors (functional factors – oral respiration, swallowing, vicious habits) or dysmetabolic factors (such as rickets).
The orthodontic appliance can also be applied in order to correct the position of the teeth in order to perform prosthetic works (when the teeth are tilted) or to create space for the insertion of implants.
Of course, depending on the patient’s clinical situation and x-rays, the orthodontist will decide if it is necessary to perform dental extractions (temporary, permanent or supernumerary teeth) or if other therapeutic means should be used to help orthodontic treatment (dental sanding, periodontal treatment, surgical treatment).
The most suitable age for orthodontic treatments
Any age is suitable in principle, which is why more and more adults opt for treatment – especially since there are a lot of options, from the classic to the ”invisible” (Incognito, Invisalign).
For children, depending on the type of abnormality, most treatments are good to start at the age of 9-10 years. In severe abnormalities (such as mandibular prognathism) we should start treatment even earlier.
The frequency of anomalies is constantly increasing, there are data according to which about 90% of the population has various anomalies, but fortunately they can be corrected by orthodontic treatment.
The orthodontic operations we perform within our clinic:
Prophylaxis and treatment of abnormalities
Prophylactic treatment applied in time for temporary teeth aims to prevent the installation of future abnormalities in the final dentition. Dento-maxillary abnormalities occur as a result of local and / or environmental factors (caries that led to early loss of temporary teeth, vicious habits (such as finger sucking, oral respiration) – to name a few. That is why it is important to observe the children and the cooperation of the parents with the doctor and the nurse, in order to understand the habits and particularities of the patient.
Orthodontic treatment in children and adolescents.
In mixed dentition (8-12 years), taking advantage of the period of growth of the maxillary bones, orthodontic treatment can be instituted in case of functional disorders.
For example, in the case of mandibular prognathism (enlarged chin) preventive treatment is instituted to stimulate the development of the upper jaw and inhibit the growth of the mandible. In the case of mandibular retrognathism / maxillary prognathism (i.e. when the mandible is located far behind the jaw) a functional activator device can be applied.
Adult orthodontic treatment.
In the case of permanent dentition, fixed braces are applied for the alignment of the teeth, depending on the desired aesthetic result.
If we are dealing with a crowd in the frontal area, the application of an orthodontic appliance improves the aesthetics, but also the possibilities of hygiene and thus reduces the risk of caries. The long-term effect is to extend the life of the teeth on the arch.
How long does an orthodontic treatment last
The duration of treatment will never be the same in two patients. We must always take into account the particularities of each – starting with the age of the patient, the type of abnormality and how the treatment plan is followed.
The average duration is 2 years, ie the ”active” treatment. Any active treatment is followed by a period of restraint (or ”passive” treatment), during which the result is stabilized and lasts from 2-3 years, indefinitely. That is, in some cases it can be kept throughout life to maintain results.
Of course, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the corrected anomaly. during this period the patient must wear certain devices (fixed – retainers or mobile – restraints, positioner, mobile device) to stabilize the result.
Types of orthodontic treatments (or appliances) that we apply in Dental Implant offices:
- Mobile braces – addresses to children in the period of mixed dentition 7-10 years (permanent teeth and milk) influencing the growth of jaw bones and helps eliminate vicious habits (finger sucking, infant swallowing). The device can be removed by the patient, which is why the outcome of treatment depends on his motivation.
- Fixed braces (vestibular) – the most commonly used type of treatment, with the best results.
- Fixed braces with metal brackets – one of the most common methods of treatment, due to fast results and affordable price. The disadvantage of this type of device is its appearance.
- Fixed dental appliance with sapphire brackets – the least visible variant of the vestibular technique (with the brackets on the outside of the teeth) due to the fact that the brackets are made of sapphire, having a translucent appearance similar to tooth enamel. They have a high hardness and strength and at the same time are very comfortable.
- Fixed dental appliance with self-ligating brackets SPEED / DAMON – a special type of metal brackets with multiple advantages over the classic ones. They have a smaller size, ensure much better comfort and hygiene, controls are rarer, the duration of treatment is shorter, and – most importantly – the forces applied to the teeth are smaller, similar to physiological ones.
- INCOGNITO Lingual/palatal dental appliances
- It is applied on the lingual and palatal faces of the teeth (inner), it is customized for each patient. Due to the application of brackets on the inside of the teeth, it will not be visible, giving the patient more comfort when smiling.
- INVISALIGN dental appliance – a modern treatment method, which consists in wearing alignments (splints) obtained through a computer technology.
