Orthodontics – Braces
Straight teeth represent a standard of beauty for many people. However, correctly aligned teeth have not only an aesthetic role, but also influence our health. Overlapping teeth, incorrect bite, but also other abnormalities developed in childhood or genetically inherited can affect the health of the entire dentition. The orthodontist can provide diagnosis and treatment for children as well as adults with problems related to the positioning and alignment of teeth.
What is orthodontics? What does an orthodontist do?
Orthodontics is a subclass of dental medicine that deals with the treatment of teeth that have an incorrect shape and position. This is a common issue among children and adolescents, and the lack of orthodontic treatment can affect the health of the teeth, gums, temporomandibular joints and even the digestive tract. The person who assesses the position and shape of the teeth on the arches, who applies the treatment and monitors its effects is called an orthodontist.
At what age is the first visit to the orthodontist recommended?
The time of the first visit to the orthodontist is different from that of the visit to the dentist. The first visit to the dentist may be schedule as soon as the child is one year old or when the first milk tooth appears. Instead, the orthodontist can evaluate patients starting at the age of seven – a good time to start orthodontic treatment. Of course, the treatment can start even later, but the young age outlines many advantages, such as effectiveness and the long-lasting effect provided by the treatment.
When is orthodontic treatment necessary?
Visits to the dentist should be made periodically, approximately six months apart. Thus, possible dental problems can be detected in time. In other words, the need for orthodontic treatment can be assessed by the dentist at the right time.
The situations that the doctor can observe are:
- Crowded teeth – when the teeth do not have enough space on the dental arch;
- Spaced teeth – when the teeth do not complete the dental arch or when a tooth has fallen or been removed;
- Incorrect dental occlusion (incorrect bite):
- vertical overocclusion – when the upper teeth considerably exceed the level of the lower teeth, covering them completely;
- reverse occlusion – when the upper teeth are far too far back or when the lower teeth are far forward;
- open occlusion – when a space is formed between the front or side teeth;
- midline malocclusion – when the center of the lower front teeth is not aligned with the center of the upper front teeth.
Therefore, orthodontic treatment is indicated when there is a need to align the physiognomy, straighten and correct the teeth, as well as when the bite .
There are also obvious signs that indicate the need for orthodontic treatment – signs that can also be noticed by the patient.
The signs may be:
- Thumb sucking;
- visibly narrow of crooked teeth;
- difficulty in chewing or biting;
- unusual noise from the jaw;
- when the jaw or teeth are not in harmony with the physiognomy of the face
What types of braces are there?
Orthodontic treatment includes several types of braces, chosen according to
the particular needs of the patient and, in certain situations, his wishes:
- metal ceramic braces;
- sapphire metal braces;
- highly aesthetic braces - transparent mouth guard;
- braces applied to the back of the teeth.
Fixed orthodontic braces versus mobile orthodontic braces
The main difference between fixed and removable braces relates to the complexity of the case. Thus, the fixed dental brace is used in the correction of severe malpositions, given the fact that it has the ability to work on the teeth permanently. In contrast, removable braces only work when worn, and treatment can take longer. This is recommended for children between the ages of seven and eleven to allow space for the teeth to erupt and help the jaw and mandible to grow.
The cleaning of the two dental braces, fixed and mobile, is carried out in different ways, but they have a common denominator: failure to do so can lead to dental disease, the accumulation of bacterial plaque and the formation of tartar. As for the fixed braces, they must be cleaned after every meal, with the help of a special brush, dedicated to the interdental spaces, as well as with mouthwash and dental floss. And the mobile braces must be cleaned after every meal, but the procedure is much simpler, considering that it can be removed. The patient cleans the teeth normally, following all the steps, and then cleans the braces with a different toothbrush than the one used inside the oral cavity.
Many people ask themselves this question. The truth is that – none of the devices cause pain, but discomfort, weaker or more intense, from case to case. This unpleasant sensation is normal, given that both braces work through pressure to change the position of the tooth structures. Conversely, if there is long-lasting unbearable pain, a visit to the orthodontist is necessary.
