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Putting on an orthodontic appliance is usually the only way to cure a malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment is a complex process that takes several years and does not end with removing the braces. After the treatment period, there is a retention period which is as important as the wearing time of the braces. When should orthodontic treatment begin and can all patients wear an orthodontic appliance?
When should you visit an orthodontist for the first time?
The first visit to the orthodontist should take place during childhood. If the child is developing properly, the best time for an orthodontic consultation is when the child is 6 years old or when the first permanent teeth begin to erupt. The eruption of permanent teeth in each child begins at a different point in life, but if this period is late, it should also be consulted with an orthodontist.
Uneven falling out of deciduous teeth and too late eruption of permanent teeth may also contribute to the deepening of the malocclusion. In the case of a child over 6 years of age, the orthodontist can determine whether there are or do not develop any defects in the shape of the jaw. Depending on the situation and the type of defect, the orthodontist may immediately correct the curves of the teeth or, if there is no defect, schedule the next visit. The next orthodontic consultation date may be in two years, until the front teeth are replaced.
It is worth noting that until 11-12. After the age of XNUMX, an orthodontic specialist works to equalize the proportions of the jaws, for example by stimulating their growth. Straightening and correcting malocclusions are usually left for later, when the child has all the permanent teeth. It is also worth remembering that in the case of straightening malocclusions in deciduous teeth, treatment is based on the regular application of a removable orthodontic appliance.
What is worth knowing about orthodontic treatment? Check: How is orthodontic treatment going? Step by step teeth straightening
Child or adult? Who can wear braces?
Orthodontic appliances are recommended for anyone diagnosed with a malocclusion. If there are any doubts, it is worth contacting the orthodontist immediately, who will professionally assess the condition of the dentition. Basically, the age of the patient does not matter and you can choose orthodontic treatment at any time in your life. The belief that malocclusions left untreated in childhood are impossible to cure in adulthood are untrue.
Orthodontic appliances are intended for both children and adults. It is worth mentioning, however, that in the case of older patients, orthodontic treatment may take longer than in children or adolescents. This is due to the advancement of the malocclusion and the final shape of the structure of the maxilla or mandible. In adults, the bone is more calcified and difficult to form. Sometimes the effects of treatment in adults are affected by the presence of crowns and bridges. However, if an adult patient during orthodontic treatment complies with the doctor’s recommendations and takes care of his teeth during the retention period, he can count on a complete healing of the malocclusion.
The difference between the treatment of malocclusion in children and adults is the type of apparatus used. In the case of adults, permanent braces are used, which are worn for a period of about two years. After this time, the orthodontist proposes a retention apparatus, which may be removable or permanently attached to the teeth. Importantly, in some cases, retention lasts from several months to several years. However, there are cases where retention lasts for life. In children, on the other hand, removable appliances are usually used, which are put on for several hours a day, especially in the straightening of breast milk.
If you want to know more about when to put in an orthodontic appliance read: When to get an orthodontic appliance? Indications and contraindications
Why should you correct malocclusion?
Treatment of malocclusion is extremely important for the health and well-being of the patient. Often, the decision to treat malocclusion is dictated by aesthetic reasons, and this is only the tip of the iceberg of the whole problem. In fact, braces should be put on mainly for health reasons. Straight teeth are less prone to the accumulation of food debris, and thus tartar, plaque and caries. In the case of crooked teeth, patients much more often deal with periodontal diseases, such as inflammation or gingival abscesses. In addition, if the teeth are incorrectly positioned in the maxilla and mandible, their surfaces wear excessively during eating, which at the same time aggravates the malocclusion even more.
A frequent consequence of untreated malocclusions are degenerative diseases of the temporomandibular joints. The owners of crooked teeth also have a problem with proper chewing of food, which in turn has a negative impact on the functioning of the digestive and digestive systems. Malocclusion is also responsible for speech defects. Crooked teeth cause lisp or unclear pronunciation of some sounds. People with crooked teeth are often ashamed of their defect, which means that they do not open their mouths too wide, which additionally causes difficulties in understanding their statements.
More information about malocclusion can be found here: Malocclusion and orthodontic prophylaxis
Types of orthodontic appliances
As already indicated, an orthodontic appliance can be inserted at any age. There are three basic types of orthodontic appliances:
- Removable orthodontic appliances – these are appliances that the patient puts on their teeth and removes them after a certain time of wearing. Removable appliances are proposed by an orthodontist in the treatment of malocclusion in primary teeth. Such braces must be used in accordance with the orthodontist’s recommendations. The task of a removable orthodontic appliance is to remove defects in the area of the maxilla and mandible. It has little effect on the correction of the malocclusion. If, after the end of treatment with removable appliances, the child still has crooked teeth, treatment with a fixed appliance is started;
- Fixed orthodontic appliances – this is an appliance that is put on the teeth for a period of about two years. It consists of several elements that the orthodontist puts on the teeth and only he can remove them from the teeth after treatment. Fixed braces consist of brackets, ligatures and an arch, which increases the strength of the braces on the teeth. Orthodontic appliances can be applied to the outer and inner parts of the teeth. Locks can be made of metal alloys or porcelain. The choice of fixed orthodontic appliances is very rich and therefore the prices of appliances also vary greatly;
- orthodontic retention braces – the retention braces are placed on the teeth right after the treatment with fixed braces is completed. Retention appliances are not placed on deciduous teeth after treatment with removable appliances. Retention devices can be removable and fixed. Removable retainers are inserted according to the orthodontist’s recommendations, and the frequency of their wearing decreases as the duration of treatment progresses. Permanent retainers are glued to the teeth for a specified period of time and are worn until the malocclusion is completely cured. The decision to end treatment is always made by the orthodontist. Keep in mind that in some cases, retention can last for the life of the patient.
Detailed information about fixed braces can be found in this article: Fixed braces – types, prices, rules of use and hygiene
To properly care for the braces and teeth, order the Vitammy SMILS Sonic Toothbrush with 5 brushing programs, one of which is designed for cleaning orthodontic appliances.
Indications for the installation of an orthodontic appliance
A diagnosed malocclusion is the most important and common indication for the installation of an orthodontic appliance. The following indications for orthodontic appliances most often mentioned by orthodontists include:
- visible malocclusion, including: overshot bite, undershot bite, open bite, deep bite, tooth gaps, tooth crowding, retained tooth;
- family complications that are related to malocclusion. Research conducted by orthodontists shows that many of the complications of malocclusion are genetically determined;
- periodontitis – orthodontists indicate that malocclusion is the cause of low tooth resistance, loosening or thinner and weaker tooth tips;
- a speech impediment that negatively affects the patient’s daily functioning at school, at work or in social contacts. Malocclusion also affects the lack of symmetry in facial features;
- headaches and jaw pain – malocclusion is often the cause of troublesome and chronic headaches or jaw pain. After the malocclusion was healed, many patients stopped complaining of prolonged pain;
- cracking teeth, crumbling fillings and also the fillings falling out of the teeth may indicate that the teeth are too crowded in the jaws;
- in the case of the youngest patients, i.e. children, the indication for orthodontic treatment is lisp, retracted or protruding chin, any speech therapy problems. The lack of orthodontic treatment in children can make permanent teeth difficult to appear.
Find out which malocclusion can be treated by putting on an orthodontic appliance. Read: Malocclusions that can be corrected by braces
What are the contraindications for installing an orthodontic appliance?
Although orthodontic treatment is considered very important for human health, unfortunately not every patient can wear an orthodontic appliance. Contraindications to the use of an orthodontic appliance are rarely mentioned, but the following can be mentioned:
- diseases associated with the low immunity of the patient;
- inflammation in the mouth;
- periodontal disease;
- dental pulp diseases;
- diabetes;
- hormonal disorders;
- untreated teeth – to start orthodontic treatment, you should have your teeth completely healed. The orthodontist will not start treatment if the patient is struggling with caries and cavities. Often a contraindication to the installation of an orthodontic appliance is plaque and tartar.
How to take care of beautiful teeth without wearing braces? Read: Simple and beautiful teeth without braces!
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