- The fixed orthodontic appliance consists of braces on the teeth and a wire that transmits the force to the braces
- The mobile device is made in the dental laboratory and it can be removed by patient himself.
The latest hit in orthodontics are Aligneri – invisible / transparent braces, transparent splints for tooth correction. There are no locks, no wires or rubber bands but the patient gets 10 to 20 splints, which he changes every two weeks. He wears them constantly, except when he eats and drinks, and straightening takes 9 to 15 months – which is twice as long as with fixed appliances.
However, the therapeutic possibilities of these systems are very limited and are applicable only in certain, simpler cases. Therapy is usually carried out in adolescence, but is possible at any age. There is no age limit for orthodontic therapy.
TYPES OF DENTAL APPLIANCES
FIXED APPLIANCES
- with metal locks -this is the oldest generation of fixed braces but very effective. It consists of metal locks that are glued to the teeth and connected with wire, which then work together to move the teeth. Although they do the orthodontic part of the job very well, some patients are not in favor of it because it is quite visible on the teeth as an aid.
- On the other hand, for some it can serve as a fashion accessory
- with ceramic locks / aesthetic braces – almost invisible because they are either tooth-colored or completely transparent, and patients are happy to wear them For a simple reason – such aesthetic locks work on the same or similar principle as metal, and also serve as a cosmetic purposes, are not visible as metal.
MOBILE DENTAL APPLIANCES
- classic mobile device – which can be removed when the patient does not want to wear it, usually at school, at work, during socializing. Such a brace consists of an acrylic base from which come out wires that will force forces on the teeth to be moved.
- Medikadent aligner – transparent or invisible brace – is a set of transparent splints that are made according to precise jaw impressions with special CAD / CAM technology. Under the guidance of an expert, a therapy simulation is created, with one splint made for each phase of tooth movement. According to predetermined parameters for individual cases, the software determines how many phases or splints are needed for each patient.
First visit to an orthodontist
The first visit to the orthodontist should be in the 7th year of the child’s life as a preventive examination if some irregularities need to be treated earlier, so as not to develop into a more serious problem that is more difficult to solve, and most anomalies are best treated between 8 and 14 . years.
Is it too late for braces in your twenties?
Orthodontic braces are also very topical in the twenties although dental correction is possible at any age. Twenty-year-olds are mostly motivated by the desire to achieve a flawless smile, but there are also much more “serious” and justified reasons, for example, when the loss of certain back teeth leads to a disturbance of statics in the mouth. The highest quality and most efficient are fixed appliances, and those that are attached to the front part of the tooth. The dental braces available at the Medikadent polyclinic are elegant, with thin titanium and nickel wires and locks that have become a kind of fashion accessory.
Orthodontic therapy in adults
An increasing number of adult patients are opting for orthodontic therapy in order to, among other things, create a good foundation for further prosthetic or implant reconstruction.
Orthodontic therapy can be successful at any age, and the experiences of experts from the Medikadent polyclinic show that adults especially appreciate the therapy for creating a beautiful smile. Orthodontic therapy in adulthood can improve self-confidence and appearance, but improving the health of the gums and teeth is equally important.
Benefits of orthodontic therapy in adults:
- a beautiful smile that will result in self-confidence in the patient
- improved ability to clean and maintain hygiene thus reducing the possibility of caries and tooth loss
- reduces the possibility of other orthodontic problems such as improper wear of the tooth surface, irregularities in the joint (which can lead to headaches and neck pain)
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corrects bad habits such as gnashing teeth
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improves speech, facial harmony and mouth closing
The importance of oral hygiene
During the entire duration of orthodontic therapy, special attention should be paid to maintaining oral hygiene. Various elements attached to the teeth (rings, braces, wires) make it much more difficult to access all surfaces of the teeth, which leads to increased accumulation of plaque.
Measures to maintain oral hygiene in wearers of orthodontic appliances are somewhat different from the usual ones. The area around the locks and under the wires should be thoroughly cleaned with a brush. This is achieved by patiently brushing in different directions whereby the brush is placed at different inclinations so that the bristles can break through between the wires and brackets to all tooth surfaces.
Ordinary brushes or special brushes intended for brushing teeth under orthodontic appliances can be used for brushing. They are adapted to the dimensions and shape of the head so that they allow easier access to the areas under the wires and locks. Interdental brushes can also help a lot in maintaining hygiene, since it is almost impossible to thoroughly clean the interdental areas in the presence of a fixed device with an ordinary brush.
What when orthodontic therapy is over?
After the active part of the therapy in which the fixed appliance is worn on the teeth, retention follows. Retainers are mobile and fixed, and depending on your wishes and the orthodontist’s recommendations, you can wear a mobile or fixed retainer.
Mobile retainer that are worn after removing the fixed appliance, and serve to keep the teeth in their correct position until the bones, gums, lips and cheeks adapt to the new situation. Retainers must be worn exactly following the instructions, otherwise the teeth may return to their original position. It is usually necessary to wear the retainer 24 hours a day for the first 4 months after removing the braces. Gradually, the wearing time will be reduced to only 1-2 hours of day and night wear. As in all medical procedures, it is important to listen to the expert advice of an orthodontist who will recommend wearing braces based on previous stages of therapy and best practices of orthodontics.
The fixed retainer is glued to the inside of the teeth. It is not visible, does not interfere with eating and speaking, and guarantees the stability of the achieved results. A fixed retainer is glued to your teeth for a certain amount of time and thus keeps them in a certain position. The length of wearing is prescribed by the orthodontist, depending on the severity of the corrected anomaly.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF A MOBILE RETAINER
With your retainer, you will also receive a special box in which you will store it until you carry it. Don’t keep it in water until you carry it – it can build up limescale. You can wash it in cold water with a toothbrush, preferably without toothpaste. For even easier cleaning, it is best to use tablets for cleaning mobile appliances.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION
There are a few simple rules to follow to use the mobile retainer in the best possible way and protect it from structural and aesthetic damage:
- Be sure to remove the retainer before eating
- While wearing the retainer, you should only drink still water
- Be sure to remove the retainer when drinking colored beverages (coffee, juices, teas)
- If you smoke, be sure to remove the retainer.
- Remove the retainer when brushing your teeth.
- Always put a retainer on freshly brushed teeth. Retainer is made of plastic – so don’t expose it to hot liquids and high temperatures – it could change shape and lose its function.
Beautiful, healthy and correct teeth contribute to self-confidence, and thus success and satisfaction in everyday life, but the goal of orthodontics is not exclusively aesthetics, because properly placed teeth are important for the health of the entire masticatory system, jaw and muscles and surrounding tooth tissue.