Do you suffer from misaligned teeth, but fixed braces are absolutely not an option for you ? Good news, because the treatment portfolio for tooth corrections has been supplemented by an important form of therapy for a few years. We are talking about transparent Smile Direct aligners . The transparent aligners are not noticeable in everyday life, reliably correct tooth misalignments such as crowded teeth, gaps, crooked teeth and nesting and you can remove them at any time.
But what are the differences between adult aligners and braces ? And what is the best form of therapy for you? We compare the different treatment methods with each other and introduce you to both types of tooth correction below.
How long has the invisible aligner for adults been around?
The method, also known as “aligner therapy” , came onto the market in German-speaking countries for the first time in 2004 and is a form of therapy for tooth gaps, crooked and twisted teeth recognized by the Smile Direct aligners for Orthodontics. The method has been scientifically researched, has proven itself millions of times and corrects tooth misalignments in the anterior region more gently, precisely and inconspicuously. Toothed aligners can be easily integrated into your everyday life: simply take out the aligners to eat or brush your teeth. Since some patents expired in 2017, the technology has been further developed and is enjoying increasing popularity.
When does a tooth correction make sense?
Even if a tooth misalignment was corrected in adolescence, a further shift of the teeth, a so-called recurrence , cannot be ruled out. Grinding, tooth loss, gum disease or tooth migration to the middle of the jaw can cause new misalignments at any time, which, if left untreated, develop further in the course of life. As a result, those affected suffer from crooked, twisted and nested teeth or from tooth gaps.
To avoid further secondary diseases such as tooth decay, inflammation of the gums and degradation of the tooth substance due to the misaligned teeth and the associated difficult dental care , dentists usually recommend professional tooth correction . Different forms of therapy are used, depending on the patient’s age and further living conditions . The most popular are:
- Invisible aligners
- Fixed braces
- Special forms such as the Incognito braces
Effectiveness and personal suitability
1. The fixed braces
As the name suggests, the fixed braces are fixed on the teeth and cannot be removed by yourself for the duration of the treatment. The individual anchoring points, so-called brackets, are mostly glued or cemented to the outside of the teeth and provided with bands and arches. Fixed braces, the brackets of which are attached to the inside, are called lingual braces in dentistry. These are more discreet, but also a lot more expensive.
The teeth are moved into the desired end position by constant pressure and tension. The negative side effect is the pain that can occur every time the orthodontist tightens the archwires at regular intervals in order to maintain the pressure.
In addition, many patients perceive the wire frame in their mouth as a foreign body and feel restricted when speaking and chewing.
2. The transparent aligners
Transparent aligners correct slight to moderate tooth misalignments in the front teeth area and are in no way inferior to fixed braces in terms of their Smile Direct aligners effectiveness. Toothed aligners are suitable for straightening:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Nesting
- Protruding teeth
- a diastema mediales
- a cross bite in the anterior region and
- Tooth gaps
Similar to braces, the action of removable aligners is based on building up pressure on the teeth. However, no fixed multiband apparatus is required for this.
Straight teeth are easy
This scan is free of charge and is created by the dentist
Our medical team will then create your individual treatment plan, Including 3D simulation that shows you exactly what result you can achieve with the Smile Direct aligners. You can also see in advance how long the treatment will take and which level of complexity applies to your case. Based on the complexity (easy, medium or complex), we calculate the price package that we offer you at a transparent fixed price, with no hidden extra costs. If you decide to have your teeth straightened with and book your aligners via our website, we will create all your aligners (an average of 12 to 48 pieces) in our in-house dental laboratory and deliver them conveniently to your home.
From the gap to the crossbite: there are many reasons for crooked teeth. But even for complex misaligned teeth, the solution for a healthy and beautiful smile is simple and straightforward thanks to PlusDental. Because the invisible aligners correct your misaligned teeth reliably from 3 months of wearing time and can be easily integrated into your everyday life. But where are the limits and possibilities of invisible aligners?
In the following, we will tell you exactly how this revolutionary form of therapy works and which cases can be treated with the transparent braces.
Crooked teeth – a widespread disease?
With some it is the missing braces in childhood, with others the teeth moved into the current misalignment with advancing age for biological reasons. smile direct club aligners almost every second adult is dissatisfied with the position of their teeth. Even worse: for almost a third of those affected, the gaps and inconsistencies are no longer a purely aesthetic problem, but also have health consequences and disadvantages. These include, among others:
- Neck tension
- a headache
- Discomfort while eating
- TMJ disorders
- Teeth grinding and breakdown of the tooth substance
- Bacterial inflammation of the tooth bed (periodontitis)
- Caries
- Speech defects such as lisp etc.
What are the misaligned teeth?
You can find out everything about the most common misaligned teeth.
What are aligners?
Therapy with transparent aligners has proven itself to correct deficiencies in the anterior region due to the precise and above all quick results at a relatively low price. Patients who do not want to be restricted by their tooth correction in their everyday and professional life will find the dental splint treatment the ideal alternative to conventional methods such as fixed braces. The plastic splints, known as clear aligners, can be removed at any time, are almost invisible and promise clearly visible results after just a few weeks if they are worn for 22 hours a day.
Which misaligned teeth can be treated with aligners?
The first impression counts. Therefore, a personable appearance and a beautiful smile are of great importance to many people. We feel all the more insecure when our anterior teeth are shifted. Regardless of whether you are talking or laughing – showing your teeth is a torture for many and you can usually tell that those affected have their teeth misaligned by a lack of self-confidence.
But this is exactly where the transparent aligners from smile direct club aligners provide a remedy. These are the most common areas of application:
- Resolving crowds
- Gap closure
- Correction of crooked teeth
- Dissolve black triangles
- Transfer of crossbite in the anterior region
- Closing a diastema medial
Why are aligners superior to normal braces?
As the many positive comments in the social networks and the reviews on eKomi , Google and Trustpilot prove, the patients are completely satisfied with the dental splint treatment from PlusDental. In contrast to the fixed braces, the removable splints for the teeth offer the following advantages:
- Inconspicuous : Nobody notices your invisible braces
- Perfect fit : The toothed rails do not interfere with speaking
- Removable : remove the aligners for eating and drinking
- Pain-free : only gentle pressure is applied
- Fast : Your teeth are straight from 3 months
- Inexpensive : We correct slight misalignments from € 27.57 per month
- Transparent : You don’t expect any hidden extra costs
- Hygienic : Change to the next pair of aligners every 1-2 weeks
- Uncomplicated : The cleaning is done with cold water and a mild soap
- Smart : Your attending doctor monitors your treatment progress via the app
Where are the limits and possibilities of invisible aligners?
Even if the transparent aligners from Smile Direct Club have completely turned the market for tooth corrections inside out and revolutionized orthodontics, there are limits to the treatment spectrum (as with any treatment method). Whether your individual case is suitable for correction with PlusDental can be checked in just a few minutes, free of charge and without obligation, using our online pre-check . You will immediately receive feedback from our experts as to whether you are suitable for the modern form of treatment.
Our experienced dentists check every individual patient case according to the four-eyes principle and only accept patients for whom we can guarantee excellent results. If your misaligned teeth can be corrected with the transparent splint for the teeth, you will receive a free treatment plan from us. Here you can see every step of the planned therapy in detail. Only then do you decide whether you want to order the aligners via our website and start the invisible tooth correction.
The (almost) invisible splint is inconspicuous and quickly leads to good results. It is ideal for patients who decide to have their teeth straightened in adulthood.
Do you sometimes wish that you would be more quick-witted at work, and that you would be more open and self-confident in your private life? Straight and beautiful teeth give you this security. We will straighten crooked teeth in a few months. For this we use so-called aligners: (almost) invisible aligners for adults.
What are aligners?
The term “aligner” comes from English and means something like “to align”. When we speak of aligners in aesthetic dentistry, we mean transparent plastic candid aligners.
The Advantages Of Aligners:
- The plastic rails are almost invisible.
- The aligners can be removed at any time.
- The splints are created with the help of a computer and correct your teeth safely and precisely.
- Maybe you know treatments like Invisalign Go®, Clear Aligner® or Dr. Smile®. Sometimes there is also talk of “braces for adults”. The concept in our practice does not have a special name, but the same goal: beautiful and straight teeth for adults.
This is where the dental splint for adults helps, Basically, we use aligners to fix mild to moderate tooth misalignments in the upper and lower jaw. The splints are also used after orthodontic treatments to keep the teeth in the desired position.
Tooth Misalignments That We Fix With Aligners Are, For Example:
- Overbite
- Crowding
- turned teeth
- Tooth gaps
- tilted teeth
Straight teeth at last – your treatment with the dental splint for adults
First of all, we check whether a tooth correction with candid aligners is possible for you. In complicated cases, we will be happy to refer you to an orthodontist from our partner network. Can your desire for straight teeth be fulfilled with the invisible dental splint? Great, then we’ll start the treatment phase together.
The most important treatment steps:
- We make a picture of your teeth. Thanks to the data obtained, we know how high and wide the aligners have to be.
- You will receive a detailed therapy plan and your first splint from us. Does it fit perfectly? From now on you should wear the splint 18 hours a day.
- Change the splint about every 2 weeks. At regular appointments in the practice, we check the progress.
Transparent aligners
Correcting misaligned teeth almost invisibly with aligners
Misaligned teeth are not only unsightly, they are also uncomfortable when eating or biting. And they are often the cause of headaches and tension. The misalignments of your teeth can be corrected using modern aligners.
The nice thing about the aligners is that they are almost invisible . It is a very thin plastic splint . The transparent aligners are an alternative to fixed braces .
- Invisalign-Aligner-transparent-braces-Doctores-von-Landenberg
- Time-lapse tooth correction
- In the animation you can see in time lapse how the teeth move into a correct position over the course of the months due to the aligners.
Children, adolescents, but also adults who have shied away from other systems of malocclusion correction due to the aesthetics, candid get an attractive solution with the transparent aligners.
For many people, straight teeth are an indicator of beauty, attractiveness and success . Studies show that people who feel good about their teeth laugh more often and go through life more carefree. It does not seem surprising that teeth in particular also ensure a generally improved attitude to life .Better We use smile direct club aligners
Straight teeth mean better health?
However, straight teeth and good dental health are not only desirable for purely aesthetic reasons. Untreated misalignments can lead to consequential damage to health. For example, crowded teeth impairs oral hygiene as the toothbrush has more difficulty reaching the spaces between the teeth, which in turn promotes the development of tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. Anomalies when biting open usually lead to tension in the jaw and neck muscles at the beginning and can later be the cause of migraines and tinnitus. Even the apparently “healthy” teeth are severely affected, as it comes to grinding and a breakdown of the tooth substance when there is a pronounced smile direct club aligners misalignment of the teeth.
The bad news first: misaligned teeth require orthodontic treatment. If left untreated, they tend to get worse over the course of life. The good news is that there are now state-of-the-art treatment methods for correcting misaligned teeth that are more affordable and also more discreet than fixed braces.
Causes of misaligned teeth
Hardly anyone has naturally flawless teeth. Almost 70% of children and adolescents alone are now treated by an orthodontist . And even if you had to wear braces as a child, you are not immune to a renewed displacement of the teeth.
Incorrect jaws and crooked teeth can be inherited. But they can also arise from thumb sucking in childhood. In addition, poor oral hygiene, but also accidents, can lead to tooth loss and a tooth gap. Habits such as pressing the tongue against the dental arch can, in the long term, lead to misaligned teeth and require treatment by a speech therapist in addition to tooth correction.
What types of misaligned teeth are there?
In the following, we will show you the most common types of jaw and tooth misalignments . However, this is only a rough overview. Our experts will be happy to advise you if you have any further questions about the individual types of misalignment and how to correct the teeth. Call us free of charge or book a free consultation in a PlusDental practice near you .
1. Overbite
If the upper jaw is significantly larger than the lower jaw and there is a large gap between the two jaws, this is called an overbite. Distances of two to ten millimeters are harmless and completely “normal”. If you exceed this guideline smile direct club aligners value, we urgently recommend a tooth correction, as the following complications can arise:
- Difficult biting due to tilted front teeth
- Poor breathing through the mouth and consequent infection of the respiratory tract
- Increased risk of caries in the incisors
- Those affected complain of “buck teeth” and a “receding chin”
2. Deep and cover bite
Particularly pronounced overbites are also referred to as deep and cover bites in dental medicine. Here the incisors tilt so far inward that they are already touching the gums or the roof of the mouth. If left untreated, the affected areas become inflamed and the gums recede. The consequences are periodontitis and tooth loss. In addition, the temporomandibular joint is heavily stressed and wears out faster.
3. Underbite or undershot
Visually, the undershot is the opposite of an overbite. Purely anatomically, the cause lies in the lower jaw, which is much too long compared to the upper dental arch, which is why the lower incisors cover the upper ones. This is often referred to as an underbite. Here, too, there can be secondary diseases such as overbites and deep and cover bites.
4. Crowded teeth
As the name suggests, patients with crowded teeth suffer from a lack of space in the jaw. This occurs either because the teeth are genetically designed to be too large or the jaw is too small. This leads to ingrown teeth, but also often crooked and twisted teeth. As a result, the teeth are usually so close together that correct oral hygiene is difficult. Affected patients therefore often suffer from:
- Caries
- Inflammation of the gums
- Damage to the gums and periodontitis
- Toothache from increased pressure
- Damage to the tooth root
Our tip:
Did you know that crowded teeth in particular, but also tooth gaps and twisted teeth can be corrected with the invisible aligners from smile direct club aligners? The comparison to fixed braces is not only worthwhile financially, because aligners are much less noticeable, gentler and you will see the first results after just a few weeks . More than 40,000 patients are already showing their most beautiful smiles. When do you smile?
5. Open bite
With an open bite, teeth are not missing due to a tooth gap, as one might suspect. Rather, it is called an open bite when there is a horizontal gap between the upper and lower incisors, even though the affected person is biting their teeth together. As a result, the ability to chew and bite is severely impaired. In addition, the tongue pushes into the gap that has arisen, which is why patients often lisp. The constant air flow dries out the oral cavity, which leads to changes in breathing and respiratory tract infections as well as increased caries formation because not enough saliva can reach the teeth.
6. Displaced teeth
The best known form of retained or displaced teeth are ingrown wisdom teeth. However, all other incisors, molars and canines can also be affected by this type of tooth misalignment. These are no longer functional due to the incorrect position when chewing and biting. Untreated displaced teeth exert pressure on the neighboring teeth, which can shift them and result in tooth nesting. The root of the tooth can also become inflamed.
7. Cross bite
With a crossbite, the teeth literally bite each other. As a result, the chewing surfaces of the teeth no longer meet properly. The affected person has to make unnatural movements while eating, which leads to increased wear and tear on the teeth and overloading of the jaw. Pain and tension arise.
8. Tooth gaps and missing teeth
If teeth need to be extracted or if you lose teeth due to an accident, a gap remains. However, gaps also arise when the teeth are simply too small so that large gaps form between them. It can also be congenital that certain teeth are missing in the genetic make-up.
Teeth give each other support. If the dental arch is intact, the pressure that arises from chewing, for example, is evenly distributed. If the dental arch is broken, teeth can become loose. In addition, certain phonetic sounds can be formed more poorly and one often hears the affected person’s gap between their teeth.
9. Medial diastema
The diastema mediale is a special form of the tooth gap and describes an extended distance between the central incisors. This misalignment of teeth has become known primarily through well-known actors and singers such as Vannessa Paradis and Madonna. It is precisely in these cases that the void has become so iconic that many patients choose not to have their diastema closed.
10. Too many teeth
So-called hyperdontia is much rarer than missing teeth, as too many teeth must be genetically created for this. The excess number of teeth is usually accompanied by crowding, which leads to crooked teeth and tooth nesting.
Inconspicuous tooth correction with invisible aligners
The top rule of any tooth correction is that it is never too late for it. Tooth regulation or straightening is also possible as an adult. Thanks to the latest medical technology, fixed braces are not the only option. Often the invisible smile direct club aligners aligners are already a promising alternative that is on a par with fixed braces. Of course, there are cases of hardship in which you have to have your teeth set surgically and a visit to the oral surgeon is inevitable.
Visibly straight teeth thanks to invisible aligners from PlusDental
Whether for crowded teeth or to close a tooth gap, many misaligned teeth can be corrected with the invisible aligners from PlusDental. During a free consultation, our experienced dentists will create an intraoral 3D scan of your teeth. In our Berlin dental laboratory, we will then create your individual treatment plan , which we will send you by email. You can already see how your teeth will move with the removable aligners and what the treatment result will look like.
Tooth correction with transparent aligners is gentle, safe and inexpensive . Whether crooked teeth, closely spaced teeth or tooth gaps – mild to moderate cases can be corrected after four to ten months.
Adults should think carefully about which type of tooth correction they choose, as the costs are often not covered by health insurances. The invisible aligners are the more cost-effective treatment method compared to fixed braces and are in no way inferior to other forms of therapy in terms of efficiency, safety and medical level.
According to the dictionary, the meaning of orthodontics is: dentistry aimed at the development of regular teeth. With knowledge of the classical languages the word orthodontics can be traced back: “ortho” is the Greek word for law and “odontos” is Greek for tooth. The goal of orthodontics (dental regulation) is to obtain well-functioning and regular teeth that look beautiful and can be kept clean. But that’s only half the story. The official name for an orthodontist is ‘secialist in dentomaxillary orthopedics’. That name shows that orthodontics is not only concerned with the regulation of teeth, but also with growth and growth modification of the jaws. Below is a number of animations shown what can be achieved by orthodontic treatment
Lack of space for the incisors.
Two small molars had to be removed for the correction
Irregular stance with a large gap between the upper incisors that prevents the canines from breaking through properly
Large overbite due to a recessed lower jaw
Reverse bite of an upper incisor with a shift from the center of the dental arch to the leftWhat is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who, after studying dentistry, has followed a four-year full-time specialist training at the university to become a specialist in Dento-Maxillary Orthopedics (Orthodontics). Abroad there are also specialist training courses for orthodontists lasting three years after the dental study.
The dental training and the orthodontic specialization therefore last at least 9 years and earlier even 10 years. After being registered in the Specialists Register, the orthodontist no longer works as a dentist, but only deals with orthodontics.
Orthodontic practices are quite different from each other. Some practices are very large and many people work there. But there are also small practices where the orthodontist has one or two employees.
The orthodontic practice mainly treats children.
The treatment process begins with your orthodontist taking molds of your teeth and carefully creating your clear aligners similar to the way an artist creates a masterpiece.
Orthodontics is a recognized specialization in dentistry. Orthodontists are concerned with the position of the teeth and the relationship between the upper jaw and lower jaw. The most well-known form of orthodontics are ‘blocks’ . Besides cubes, there are many other ways to improve the tooth position or influence the jaw relationship and the growth of the jaws. In adulthood, surgery may also be necessary to obtain a beautiful and functional result.
When and why orthodontics?It is often thought that orthodontics is only about aesthetics , about making the row of teeth more beautiful. This is one – and certainly not an unimportant – aspect of orthodontics. Who doesn’t want a beautiful, radiant smile? Yet orthodontics is also about functionality . A ‘wrong bite’ can cause problems at a young and old age. For example, the lower teeth bite the palate and cause wounds or the teeth do not touch each other when trying to put them together (an open bite that prevents you from chewing enough). Also temporomandibular joint problems can be caused by an incorrect or forced bite. Such problems can be solved with the help of orthodontics. In addition, a straight row of teeth is much easier to brush, which will prevent cavities in the long run
However, nowadays it is very difficult for patients to tell the difference between a bracket dentist and an orthodontist. Orthodontist is a protected title. This means that you may only call yourself an orthodontist if you have completed the four-year specialization as an orthodontist and have subsequently registered in the specialist register. Bracket dentists often call themselves: bracket dentist, ortho specialist, orthodontic specialist, orthodontic specialist. These names make it very difficult for patients to find out whether they are an orthodontist or a bracket dentist.
What are the benefits of orthodontics?
- The reason for starting a brace treatment can be aesthetic or functional.
- Often it is not so black and white, but the reason for treatment is a bit of both.
- Functional:
- better functioning of your chewing function,
- promoting your oral hygiene,
- better distribution of chewing force (resulting in less wear of the teeth),
- improving the position of teeth and molars before the dentist makes corrections to the teeth (for example in preparation before placing crowns, bridges or implants),
- Prevent or resolve gum trauma when the teeth overlap very far when biting close (deep bite),
- solve limited freedom of movement of the lower jaw.
- Aesthetic: creating a beautiful smile and enhancing your self-esteem.
- It is true that not every abnormality requires treatment. In adulthood, however, overbite correction with the help of growth is no longer possible, and insurance often no longer pays after 18 years. This does not matter if there is no treatment, but it does if it is delayed. We are happy to inform you about this during the first consultation.Does it hurt?
- Placing a brace does not hurt. Once the brace is worn, it does take time to get used to it. During the first days, teeth and molars can be sensitive while eating. Furthermore, especially in the beginning, the braces can cause irritation spots on the cheeks and lips, which generally disappear by themselves: the inside of the mouth adapts to the orthodontic appliances. If necessary, wax can be used to soften this somewhat. If the braces are adjusted, the teeth may feel more sensitive or different again. Braces don’t hurt, sometimes it’s just a bit difficult.an I function and / or exercise normally?
Fixed bracket:
Yes, with a fixed bracket you can function normally and play sports.
Removable braces:
It is recommended not to wear removable braces during sports.
Removable braces can affect speech; the extent to which this happens depends on the type of braces and the intensity with which they are worn (in general: the more / better worn, the better the speech).Can it affect the use of musical instruments?
No, but there is an adaptation period of approximately 2-3 weeks. Exception: wind instruments that are played exceptionally intensively (2 to 3 hours a day) and where the mouthpiece rests against the teeth can have an effect. Discuss this with the orthodontist.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
In any case, shorter than before. Because we use new techniques in our practice and pay a lot of attention to efficiency in the treatment, the treatment time is considerably shortened, without making concessions to the result or stability: many treatments last less than 1 year to 2 years. Read more about the technology we use.(In general, it can be said that an orthodontic treatment of 2 to 2.5 years can be seen as normal; if it takes less than 2 years, this is considered a quickly expired treatment; a treatment that lasts longer than 3 years is almost never before.) It is never possible to estimate exactly how long a treatment will take. It depends very much on the severity of the problem, the time of the start of the treatment, the possible growth, the adaptability, but also the perseverance and cooperation of the patient influence the duration of the treatment. Other factors such as the biological response of the teeth, jaws and mouth muscles are also sometimes difficult to estimate.
There are various reasons for going to an orthodontist. You go to an orthodontist when the teeth are far forward or crooked, there is too little or too much space in the teeth or when your teeth do not fit together properly and you cannot chew optimally. Especially the aesthetics of regular teeth and a beautiful smile ensure that many find their way to the orthodontist.
No more problems with crooked teeth and molars.
No longer suffer from incorrect stress on the jaw muscles.
No longer suffer from a wrong position of the jaws.
The costs for dental treatment are determined each year by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). However, that does not mean that you pay the same rates everywhere. The costs per treatment can also differ. Consult the table below for an overview of the rates.
Dental treatment for orthodontics
AirSmile
One of the invisible braces. An AirSmile brace is a transparent cover that we place over your teeth. You will receive a new AirSmile braces twice a month, because the position of your teeth is constantly changing. The Airsmile is also suitable for nighttime teeth grinding.
Invisalign
The Invisalign is a different kind of invisible brace. This variant is suitable for children and adults. You will regularly receive a new aligner to support the changes in your teeth. The Invisalign is also suitable for multiple dental problems.
Lock shackle
The most famous of the brackets: the clasp shackle. The dentist for orthodontics sticks a so-called lock on each tooth and selects and places a thread in it. At the molars we pull this wire taut, so that we can change the position of your teeth.
Outboard bracket
Do you suffer from an overbite or is there not enough space in the back of your mouth? With an outboard bracket we inhibit the growth of the upper jaw and provide more space. With an outboard bracket you wear a hat.
When to the ortho?
Below are some situations where it is wise to schedule an appointment with a dentist for orthodontics:
Your upper front teeth protrude and this causes complaints. These teeth are more likely to be damaged.
Your lower and upper jaw do not fit together properly, which can lead to the wrong bite.
Your teeth don’t fit together properly, putting the wrong strain on your jaw muscles.
Orthodontics results
With orthodontics we can adjust the position of your teeth so that you:
No longer suffer from an overbite.Orthodontics is a part of dentistry that focuses on the examination and treatment of problems with the jaw and dental position. Many patients have a combination of an incorrect position of the jaw and teeth. These problems are treated by the use of orthodontic appliances (braces).
Orthodontic treatment can, by straightening teeth, reduce the risk of caries and gum disease and improve chewing function. The word orthodontist comes from two ancient Greek words. Orthos, which means “straight” and Odontos, which means “tooth”.
To become an orthodontist, you have to follow a 4-year full-time specialist course in Dento Maxillary Orthopedics after your (now) 6-year study in dentistry. As a result, orthodontists have the most knowledge and skills for correcting abnormalities in the position of teeth and molars and growth abnormalities of the jaws. This is in contrast to dentists who have only followed orthodontic training.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry responsible for the treatment of malocclusion in children and adults. Properly performed orthodontic treatment guarantees not only a nice and aesthetic smile, but also prevents the development of speech defects, bite, caries, periodontal diseases and disorders in the temporomandibular joint.
The most common indications for orthodontic treatment are:
- crowding of teeth
- horizontal displacements of the maxilla relative to the mandible
- deep bite
- open bite
- defects of the temporo mandibular joint
Age And Orthodontics
Braces can be worn at any age – there are no age restrictions for orthodontic treatment! It is true that orthodontists are most often visited by children aged 8-12, who are referred by a pediatrician, dentist, ENT specialist or speech therapist, and then treatment of detected malocclusion can be started. However, nothing stands in the way of effective orthodontic treatment in an adult, regardless of age, because modern methods of orthodontic treatment make it possible.
How Is Orthodontic Treatment Going?
Orthodontic treatment begins with a consultation. An orthodontic treatment plan is developed based on the collected information, performed X-ray diagnostics and the patient’s expectations.
At a later stage, the patient is fitted with an orthodontic appliance. During treatment, the patient must regularly come to check-ups – usually every 4-8 weeks. After removing the fixed braces, the patient receives retention splints, which are to preserve the treatment effect.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion can be divided into:
- Overshot bite
- Deep bite
- Undershot
- Cross bite
- Open bite
- Crowding
- Teeth separated
- Depending on the diagnosis, appropriate orthodontic treatment is implemented.
Orthodontic Appliances
An orthodontic appliance is designed to heal a malocclusion, restore a physiological short circuit between the maxilla and the mandible, align and properly position the teeth in the dental arches. Fixed orthodontic appliances are divided into: standard – metal, antiallergic – titanium, aesthetic, self ligating, lingual and transparent. Fixed appliances, unlike removable appliances, which are worn at night, are worn around the clock.
Modern orthodontics – the DAMON System
The Cichoń Implantology and Aesthetic Dentistry Center recommends DAMON ligature-free appliances that ensure effective and efficient orthodontic therapy. The ligature-free technique is a seven-mile step in the development of orthodontics and consists in closing the arch in the bracket’s slit with a special flap, instead of tying it with a ligature (elastic band). The arc moves freely, significantly eliminating friction, especially in the initial phase of treatment. For the patient, this means a shorter time of wearing the braces, fewer follow-up visits, minimal pain and most importantly: the arch is extended transversely, therefore, most often there is no need to remove premolars (four). Hygiene is also easier because there are no elastic ligatures that make it difficult to remove the accumulated sediment.DAMON system vs. traditional systems:
shorter treatment time and fewer follow-up visits
pain reduction to a minimum
faster improvement of the position of the teeth – the effects are visible after the first month
easier maintenance of proper hygiene – no ligatures
usually without tooth extraction
more effective treatments for both children and adults.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry dealing with the treatment of malocclusion, maxillofacial defects and the correction of dental defects.
Orthodontic treatment consists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all dental and occlusal defects. The braces can be worn from the age of 8, and there is no upper age limit. There are different types of orthodontic appliances, which can be broadly divided into removable and fixed appliances. Orthodontic appliances from the first group bring results a little slower, the second ones a bit faster, but both lead to straight teeth.
Patients are afraid of the pain associated with orthodontic treatment and find it long and monotonous to wait for the results. Modern treatment methods used with the use of innovative solutions allow you to quickly achieve the desired effect, reducing pain to a minimum.
Before Treatment
The treatment we were to undertake together was to shift the teeth to the right again and restore the area after the four removed. Usually, this is done with the help of additional devices placed on the palate, which are designed to widen the arches and distalize the lateral teeth in this patient’s right. However, the patient was not willing to wear them. So we decided to try to correct the asymmetry with the self-ligating fixed apparatus in the Damon system with the support of carrying the lifts.
It is a modern type of fixed appliance, the brackets of which have a unique structure and allow to act on the patient’s teeth in a faster and more comfortable way than in the case of a traditional ligated appliance. With its help, I expanded my patient’s upper dental arch, and I also created a place for the missing tooth. As a result, the centerline of the upper arch was reconstructed, i.e. all the teeth moved to where they should be. The symmetry of the arch has also been restored, and an implant will be inserted into the resulting gap. It was also possible to widen the jaw and get out of a cross bite on the right side. The therapy is still ongoing because the patient’s teeth are still deflected.
During treatment
The second treatment course that could be considered is to remove the right top four. Then also the centerline would be recreated and the arch symmetry restored. Such treatment would even be simpler to perform. It would also be easier to fight tooth deflection. On the other hand, the patient would lose another healthy tooth, which is certainly not beneficial. There was also the question of whether the bottom two fours would not need to be removed then as well. Both arches would thus become significantly narrower. Together with the patient, we gave up on additional extractions – the patient did not consent to her.
Of course, the patient is aware that despite the treatment, the teeth may remain slightly raised. This was clearly stated to her at the very beginning, before we moved on to putting on the camera. In adulthood, orthodontic treatment with the use of braces alone has limited possibilities of obtaining effects, due to the insight into the completed stage of growth and the difficult possibility of modeling the bones of the maxilla and mandible. Therefore, such defects are best treated in childhood, possibly in adolescence – then rather without carrying out asymmetric extractions. If the patient came to me at the age of 15, we would most likely recreate the space for a crowded three by extending and distalizing, that is, shifting the lateral left teeth backwards, which would be the most optimal.
Of course, tooth extraction is sometimes unavoidable, for example, it should be considered in very crowded conditions, especially if we consider treatment in the period after the end of growth. The teeth set in such a way can also be set evenly in the full set, but it can be achieved at the cost of their large deflection and unfavorable changes in facial features. Then treatment with tooth extraction can be considered.
The non-sectional treatment that we have carried out is also somewhat of a compromise, but the effect we managed to achieve is still good and more natural and aesthetic than if we were to remove the next fours. It satisfies the patient and it coincides with the goal we have set in the treatment plan
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