Orthodontic treatment is mainly used to correct and prevent anatomical problems of the jaw and teeth for either functional or aesthetic reasons. Many factors can contribute to their creation. Among these are genetic predisposition, early or late loss of baby teeth and certain habits of children, such as thumb sucking.
Orthodontic problems may be present from birth or develop during infancy or early childhood. Crooked teeth affect children’s articulation and speech as well as chewing. They make proper oral hygiene very difficult while they significantly affect the self-esteem and self-confidence of children during their teenage and adult lives.
Orthodontic treatment for functional reasons is necessary and must be done at the right time to facilitate the child’s daily life. On the contrary, orthodontic treatment for aesthetic reasons is optional and could be characterized as an “investment for the future”, since a beautiful and healthy smile contributes decisively to the external appearance, and therefore to the psychology of people of any age.
The child’s first orthodontic visit should be done by the age of 7.
Restorative orthodontic treatment is the standard orthodontic treatment required to correct an existing orthodontic problem. An example is the treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances (braces) of an occlusal abnormality where the upper teeth are too far forward compared to the lower teeth (thrown upper teeth).
Preventive orthodontic treatment is carried out with mild, targeted interventions, which are intended to prevent the occurrence of significant problems that would require more extensive interventions in the future.
A simple example is the placement of a space-maintaining device in case of premature loss of a baby (child) tooth due to caries. Maintaining space is necessary so that the successor permanent tooth can later emerge in this space.
Suppressive orthodontic treatment is carried out with targeted interventions in the event of the existence of a problem, with the aim of correcting it before the creation of more serious problems. It is usually performed on children before they change all their baby (baby) teeth. For example, if the required space for the eruption of a permanent tooth has been lost, as happens after the premature loss of a baby, in some cases it is necessary to immediately recover the space before the child changes all his teeth.
Orthodontic treatment in the context of restoring oral health in collaboration with other specialties (supportive). This type of orthodontic treatment aims to prepare the mouth and the position of the teeth so that the restoration of the patient’s oral health, aesthetics and function can be carried out successfully and on a proper basis, in collaboration with other specialties of dentistry, such as prosthetics, periodontology and implantology. A common example is the proper spacing and placement of teeth in order to successfully place a prosthetic restoration on natural teeth or implants.
Orthodontic treatment with mobile appliances usually has limited capabilities and is therefore suitable for specific problem cases. The main advantage of this treatment is the possibility it gives the patient for easy removal of the mechanism and comfortable cleaning of the mouth.
Orthodontic treatment with transparent braces has the advantage that the mechanisms are essentially invisible. However, it requires excellent cooperation from the patient and has specific limitations that make it unsuitable for treating the full range of orthodontic problems.
Classic orthodontic treatment is performed with fixed orthodontic mechanisms (braces) that are welded to the outer surface of the teeth and cannot be removed by the patient. These mechanisms can be metal or made of various aesthetic/transparent materials, such as porcelain. Each material has specific indications and contraindications and therefore there is no one material which is the most suitable for all cases. In adult patients aesthetic materials are always chosen. The advantage of this treatment is the great precision, the relatively little dependence on the patient’s cooperation and ultimately the high efficiency of the method. A disadvantage is the slightly longer time needed to clean the teeth during the treatment.
Orthodontic treatment with internal stationary mechanisms (lingual braces). Orthodontic treatment with lingual braces is essentially the same as classic orthodontic treatment with the difference that the mechanisms are placed on the inner/lingual surface of the teeth and are therefore not visible during treatment. This is also the main advantage of the method. Disadvantages of the method are the increased discomfort that patients feel in the language during the first weeks of treatment, as well as any speech disorders that may appear initially or remain throughout the treatment in a small percentage of patients.
Periodontitis is a disease of the periodontal tissues (gum and supporting bone of the tooth). In its initial stages, it is characterized by intense inflammation of the gums, which then spreads to the underlying bone, which it destroys (osteolysis).
The causes of orthodontic problems are individual for each patient. However, in general, the following factors are responsible for their manifestation:
- Hereditary factors: it is common for a child to inherit small jaws from one parent and large teeth from the other. Thus, there is not the necessary space for the development of the teeth, causing them to be crooked.
- Premature loss of baby teeth: if a baby tooth needs extraction long before the appearance of the permanent tooth, the space can be filled by the neighboring teeth causing orthodontic problems.
- Various “bad” childhood habits: prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle and finger sucking are among the most common causes of tooth disharmony.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has specialized in aligning teeth by attending an additional three years of training beyond dental school at a university with an orthodontic specialty program. While some general dentists offer orthodontic treatment to patients, an orthodontist is the specialist in identifying and treating tooth alignment and occlusal problems.
The duration of orthodontic treatment is usually from 6 to 30 months and depends on the parameters below:
- Age of patient
- Severity of alignment issues
- Method of treatment used
Removable devices should be worn by the patient as much as possible during the day. In this way the goal is achieved in a shorter period of time.
Some of the most common problems that can be corrected with orthodontic appliances are as follows:
- maxillary or mandibular prostheses
- overbites
- openbites
- crowded teeth
- spaces between teeth
Orthodontic problems, which often result from genetic factors but can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as thumb-sucking, must be diagnosed before treatment begins.
The correct diagnosis includes taking photographs, X-rays and dental casts. These painless diagnostic procedures allow us to make informed decisions about which treatment is right for you.
We know that successful results depend on maximizing our practice’s coordination with you. We are committed to providing the best possible service to help you achieve your orthodontic goals.
Modern understanding of orthodontic treatment limits tooth extractions to very specific cases. In adult patients, if there is a serious lack of space in the jaws to move the teeth into harmonious positions and since we cannot take advantage of the bone growth that we use in children, there are cases in which we recommend the extraction of a specific tooth. In such cases we prefer the extraction of teeth that are already burdened by previous dental interventions. In any case we recommend tooth extraction after we have truly exhausted every other solution. Now with the digital impression of the mouth and the special design programs, we know precisely the final result and act based on a plan.
In the orthodontic treatment of adults, we avoid the use of complex orthodontic devices that may affect speech or make adaptation difficult. We know that the aesthetic demands are greater, the professional obligations are continuous and the patience of our adult patients is shorter. The method of choice is usually the original Invisalign treatment. After the first days of using the transparent splints, our mouth adapts and we have no effects on articulation and speech.
The movement of teeth that occurs during orthodontic treatment occurs regardless of age, the same biological principles apply. Nowadays there are orthodontic tooth movement devices that match the demands and needs of adults. Adult orthodontics is predictable and generally improves oral health.
There is no medical contraindication for orthodontic treatment during pregnancy. X-ray examinations and invasive treatments should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. Usually during the period of pregnancy, especially good oral hygiene is required to maintain perfect gum health, since for various reasons, pregnancy gingivitis needs extra vigilance to control.
Orthodontic treatment for adults is not just about improving the aesthetics of the smile, although this is the initial reason our patients seek treatment who have not been properly informed by their dentist. The harmonious arrangement of the teeth in the jaws achieves:
- The function of chewing and speaking is improved
- Oral hygiene is facilitated, especially in anterior teeth with intense crowding. This reduces the progression of gum disease and tooth decay.
- Makes it possible to restore missing teeth. In the areas where we have tooth loss many times the neighboring teeth have moved towards the gap and it is difficult or impossible to restore them with prosthetic teeth or implants. Orthodontic restoration facilitates the treatment of these frequent situations.
- The possibility of developing problems in the lower jaw joint (temporomandibular structure) is reduced. In cases where there are problems in the way the upper and lower teeth come into contact over time, the joints in the area are burdened and autonomous and intractable problems are created.
The smile is improved with a significant effect on our psychology and self-confidence. Many adult patients tell us that they “never smile” in photographs and social contacts. Even when we correct the orthodontic problems, the facial muscles need enough time to adapt to have a harmonious smile again without “tight lips”
When traditional “sticky” braces are used, whether metal, transparent or lingual, it is necessary to adjust the diet during the treatment period, as many foods can “unstick” them.
Sticky foods such as candies and chewing gum, hard foods such as nuts, whole apples, carrots, etc. cannot be eaten safely. When the braces come off, wires protrude into the mouth and injure, making a visit to the orthodontist urgent.
We do not have such issues with the use of the transparent, elastic braces of Invisalign since we easily remove the braces from the mouth and can consume any food. Also, maintaining oral hygiene is simple.
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