M ost people agree that nicely arranged straight teeth look beautiful and offer you a smile that gives you the confidence to look and feel well. If your teeth are crooked, orthodontic treatment might be what you need to obtain a smile that will give you confidence. Apart from boosting your confidence and the fact that it helps you feel better for yourself, a proper occlusion of the teeth also helps the improvement of your oral health that can affect your overall health and well-being.
It is a fact that crooked teeth, apart from the fact they cause lack of confidence, are more difficult to clean increasing the risk for tooth decay and periodontal diseases. People with crooked teeth sometimes find it hard to chew healthy foods that are rich in fiber, thus presenting digestive disorders or being urged to avoid them. Others might feel discomfort in the joints of the jaws from the incorrect arrangement of the teeth and the gums. If your teeth are protruding they might be at a higher risk of cracking or breaking. One wrong bite can cause uneven or faster wear of the teeth.
Orthodontic treatment is carried out using removable and/or fixed appliances that generally, depending on the type of the orthodontic problem, include: braces, retainers, headgear and aligners.
What stages are involved in orthodontic treatment?
The assesment stage includes:
● Taking of medical and dental history
● Diagnosis of the orthodontic problems through clinical examination
● Creation of study plaster casts of the teeth
● Taking photographs of the face and teeth
● Taking x-rays of the mouth and head
The treatment stage includes:
● Placement of the orthodontic mechanisms on the teeth or using other orthodontic methods (anything that is placed inside the mouth, such as braces or headgear) in order to gradually reposition the teeth, jaws and mastication muscles
● Adjusting the wires to apply new pressure on the teeth (usually every two to six weeks)
● Use of extraoral headgear on the head or the neck (or straps) and other orthodontic appliances as determined by your orthodontist.
The monitoring stage includes:
● In many cases a retaining appliance is used to retain the teeth in their new position and will allow the muscles to stabilise.
● Maintaining the monitoring by the orthodontist.
The length of the treatment is determined by a number of factors: the severity of the occlusion disorder, the overall health of your teeth, gums and supporting tissue, your age and how strictly you follow the instructions. In general, the length of the treatment ranges from one to three years.
Orthodontics using braces
Braces are a system of brackets that are adhered on your teeth and hold wires that connect them. The wires used are made of a nickel-titanium alloy, are thiner and stronger than those used in the past, thereby reducing the length of treatment and generally improving the comfort of the patient. Over time, the constant, low intensity force that is applied on the teeth, helps move them to their correct position.
Orthodontics without braces with transparent aligners
The aligners system is quite effecive in many cases of orthodontic treatment. Transparent, thin, invisible aligners for the upper and lower teeth set new standards in orthodontics. This is a computationally guided treatment. They are manufactured in a specialised laboratory, especially for your teeth and gradually straighten your teeth. The specialised dentist-orthodontist, based on his knowledge and experience of this particular method will recommend the ideal treatment for you.
Advantages
● This method is suitable for adults, especially those that do not want to wear braces.
● It gives you the ability to smile fearlessly
● It is a completely painless procedure
● The aligners are made of hypoallergenic material, they are flexible and can be removed from the mouth by the patient himself
● They allow the easy brushing of the teeth and gums, thus effectively maintaining oral hygiene
● It is suitable treatment for pregnant women
In conclusion, orthodontic treatment is a great investment in yourself. The effort that you put in in collaboration with your orthodontist to follow their instructions on how to look after your orthodontic appliances and your teeth will help you achieve results you will appreciate for many years to come.