Why should I undergo orthodontic treatment?
The objective of orthodontic treatment is to improve the occlusion and the aesthetic
look of the teeth, resulting in a nice smile and harmonious face.
Improved well-being and increased self-assurance is an often, wonderful side effect!
A more even arrangement of the teeth facilitates hygiene, lowers the risk of caries and even improves the functionality of the occlusion, decreasing the tension of muscles and joints at the same time. Proper occlusion is the best protection against dental deposits and, as a consequence, against conditions of the paradontium (paradentosis). Properly set teeth can also improve the speech.
We can say that thanks to orthodontic treatment we can have a healthy and beautiful smile!
What is Orthodontics?
It is a branch of dentistry related to diagnostics, treatment and prevention of irregularities in the location of teeth, occlusion and face features.
Therefore, orthodontics deals with the treatment of:
- Apertognathia or open bite (i.e. when we can see a gap between upper and lower teeth, which means that upper teeth do not contact lower teeth)
- Supraclusion (i.e. when upper teeth cover lower teeth above the standard. In the frontal segment, upper teeth should normally cover lower teeth from 1/3 to 2/3 of their height.)
- Distoclusion (i.e. when upper teeth are located significantly in front of lower teeth or the contract of the first upper molar tooth is moved forward. Normally, the first cusp of the upper six should touch the middle of the lower six, in such a way the upper six contacts the lower six and seven in the normal bite forming the so-called triad which occurs in the whole of the occlusion - upper one contacts lower one and two and, e.g. upper three contracts lower three and four. Normally, it happens in the case of all teeth on both sides "upper 2 - lower 2 and 3, upper 5 - lower 5 and 6". A moved triad, e.g. upper three - lower four and five or lower one and two and upper three and lower three shows a malocclusion. Sometimes, abnormal triads remain after the treatment has been finished - especially in the case upper six and lower five).
- Mesiclusion (i.e. lower front teeth are located in front of upper teeth or the contact of the first upper molar tooth is moved backwards)
- Buccal occlusion or cross bite (i.e. when any of the lower teeth is located outside the upper teeth. Normally, all upper teeth should be outside the lower ones)
- Crowding (i.e. when, due to lack of space, teeth are turned or located outside or inside other teeth)
- Secluded teeth (i.e. when, due to excess space, teeth do not contact one another and gaps are visible between them)
- Supernumerary teeth
- Dental defects (lack of tooth buds or, after tooth extraction, a gap between teeth after the tooth has been removed or, due to its lack, movement of neighbouring teeth in the maxilla and mandible which causes abnormalities in the occlusion)
- Cleft palates
- Abnormalities in the development of the maxilla or the mandible
- A number of pathologies related to the temporomandibular joint articulation
If you notice at least one of such symptoms in yourself or in your child, you should consult an orthodontist.
Who Can Undergo Orthodontic Treatment?
Almost anyone can undergo orthodontic treatment. It doesn't matter whether you're 5 or 55,
if you have teeth orthodontic treatment is always a change for the better! Usually,
approximately 30% of the patients are over 20! The biological mechanism of tooth movement
is identical regardless of whether you're a child or an adult. Good health of teeth,
gums as well as the condition of the bones in which teeth are located are the most
important factors which decide on the possibilities of smile improvement and bettering
of the health of teeth. Since, in adults the growth stage of face bones is already
finished, in some cases the treatment may be more complicated, whereas in children
additional techniques allow to direct the movement of teeth as well as the growth
of the maxilla and mandible. Many adults do not want to consult an orthodontist,
thinking that their treatment is impossible, expensive, long or uncomfortable.
It is not always the truth. With the latest technology, it is often possible to achieve what was once impossible, shorten the period of treatment, diminish the discomfort and make it for a price lower than before. Thanks to that, you can have straight teeth and a pretty smile faster and easier than ever!
When to Begin Orthodontic Treatment?
It is one of the most frequently asked questions. The simplest answer is "as soon as
possible regardless of your age". Despite the fact that the above sentence is true,
the majority of cases do not require active treatment until the full cutting of the
first upper incisors around the 7th and 8th year of age. It sometimes happens that
treatment is not necessary until milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. It is
thought that the time of teeth replacement is the best period for orthodontic treatment.
In some cases, when a patient consults a doctor after his milk teeth have been replaced
with permanent teeth, it may mean a worse final result of the treatment, higher costs,
longer and more complex treatment as well as a higher probability of extraction of healthy
permanent teeth.
Different abnormalities and different patients require individual treatment, and often the same problem can be solved in several ways. The patient cannot get to know the options of the treatment until the doctor has not defined the treatment plan, which might require X-raying and several visits.
Many occlusion abnormalities are related to childhood habits such as sucking the thumb or the lip, pushing the tongue, etc. If it is possible to eliminate such a habit before the second year of primary education, a spontaneous correction of the occlusion is often observed. If the abnormality does not recede after that time, it usually remains permanent without orthodontic treatment. That is why it is important to fight the habits early, before the child starts school education. Many orthodontic problems are related to the underdevelopment of the width of the maxilla in relation to the mandible. It can be connected (though not always) with the increased frequency of inflammations, infections, allergies or obstructions of upper airways or the middle ear. Such patients often breathe through their mouths in the night as well as in the day because they cannot breathe through their noses. While they do so, their tongues must lay at the bottom of the oral cavity.
In such a position, the tongue of children who breathe though their noses might influence the growth of the maxilla by stretching it. On the other hand, it can stimulate the growth of the mandible or lean the teeth in the mandible, which worsens the already bad relation of the maxilla against the mandible connected with the width underdevelopment of the maxilla.
The effect is a wrong and unattractive placement of teeth in a malocclusion, if the joints are in their physiological location. Because of the adjustment of cheek muscles to the narrow maxilla, the muscle tension disables better positioning of teeth. As a result, unfortunately, the abnormality worsens with the growth of the patient. If such a malformation is left untreated until the patent is 10 or more, it is more probable that fully satisfactory results of the treatment will never be achieved.
On the other hand, before they reach the age of 10, the treatment of such patients may be easier and more effective. Since the underdevelopment of the width of the maxilla in relation to the mandible may be connected with obstruction of upper airways, a young patient is often sent by his dentist to consult an ENT specialist in order to prevent the reoccurrence of upper airways' infections and tonsil hypertrophy.
What is Connected with Orthodontic Treatment?
The satisfaction of the patient is the most important thing in orthodontic treatment.
In order to achieve this effect, the patient must thoroughly and accurately comply with
the doctor's instructions. The patient must wear, put on and take off his braces in
accordance with the instruction (the same regards all elastic rubbers and moveable parts
in permanent braces) and unscrew the bolts in accordance with the regulations.
The above refers to all types of retention after orthodontic treatment; the patient
must also strictly comply with teeth and braces hygiene. In the case of permanent braces,
the patient is obliged to avoid hard, sticky as well as "chewing-gum-like" foods.
The first stage of the treatment is the plan of the treatment. As mentioned above, different abnormalities and different patients require individual treatment, but often the same problem can be solved in several ways. The patient gets to know what braces he will be wearing during the treatment, which teeth must be extracted (if necessary), what the anticipated result will be and the method of retention of the treatment result.
How Long Does the Orthodontic Treatment Take?
Although every case is different, permanent braces are usually worn from 1 to 3 years,
removable braces are often worn much longer, and it often happens that after treatment
with removable braces, the patient is later treated with permanent braces. The period
of treatment and braces used during its course depend on the severity of the abnormality
and the degree of co-operation with the patient. Patients who wash their teeth correctly,
avoid sticky and hard foods and wear, put on and take off the elastic rubbers, (headgear),
facial arches and facemasks correctly and regularly consult their doctors, finish their
treatment in time and with good results.
After the treatment (mostly with permanent braces), most of the patients wear a retention apparatus in order to maintain the result. The doctor estimates how long it should be worn. During retention, the patient consults the doctor on monitoring visits so the doctor could assess whether the teeth are in a correct position.