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Orthodontics
Dental orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and prevention of malocclusion. The overlay method is the most advanced method of orthodontic treatment. It provides the greatest possible discretion, combining it with excellent precision and effectiveness of treatment.
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Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that diagnoses and treats malocclusion and examines the development of the oral cavity. Misaligned teeth can lead to health problems and headaches. Orthodontics also offers aesthetic benefits by improving your appearance and confidence.
Orthodontic appliances
Orthodontic treatment requires a good fit of the appliance to the patient. We select the appliance individually, taking into account the patient’s needs and the state of his bite. Before putting on the braces, we discuss the treatment plan, and the patient can choose from the proposed types of braces. It is important to choose the right type of braces because not everyone is suitable for all types of defects. There are types of braces that differ in application, appearance, use and length of treatment.
Fixed appliances
In orthodontics, we use fixed appliances, consisting of brackets, arches, rings and other additional elements. The brackets are glued to each tooth, which allows the entire appliance to be immobilized, and the archwire passes through the slots of the brackets and transfers the force to the teeth through the brackets. Fixed appliances are usually adjusted at monthly visits and are now smaller and lighter than their former counterparts. There are many other types of fixed appliances, e.g. space maintainers , adapted to different types of defects.
Movable appliances
Mobile braces can be divided into several types. The most important of them include:
- removable space maintainers that have the same function as fixed appliances,
- mandibular repositioning appliances that help the mandible close properly,
- lip and cheek protectors, keeping the lips/cheeks at the right distance from the teeth,
- palate expanders, used to expand the arch of the upper jaw,
- movable retainer, preventing the teeth from moving.
Overlay cameras
Aligners , or overlay braces, are removable orthodontic devices that are gaining more and more popularity. They work in a similar way to fixed braces, but clear overlays are used instead of metal brackets and wires. They are perfect for people who care about aesthetics and do not want to have a visible camera. The aligners are removed before eating and brushing your teeth. They often shorten treatment time, but are not suitable for all types of malocclusion.
Orthodontic treatment step by step
Orthodontic treatment consists of several stages, starting with the treatment of teeth and hygienization. We assess the state of the bite, and then put the braces on the teeth. Follow-up visits take place every month, then we change the wires and rubber bands and check the oral hygiene. The treatment lasts about 2 years, and the removal of the braces requires thorough cleaning of the teeth and the taking of an impression for the retention overlays. The last stage is the consolidation of the effect by wearing retention overlays.
How to prepare for orthodontic treatment?
Before putting on braces, you should take care of the condition of your teeth by performing dental treatment and hygienic procedures, such as sandblasting and scaling . It is also important to take a radiological picture, which will help in establishing a treatment plan and monitoring progress.
Orthodontic lifts
Orthodontic traction devices are active elements of the appliance that help to compensate for malocclusion by wearing and replacing them appropriately. Their placement in the mouth causes the teeth to move with force, which leads to the alignment of the upper and lower arches. We use orthodontic appliances to correct malocclusion and it is important to wear them as recommended, because it is a long-term process, the omission of which may negatively affect the effects of treatment.
What are aligners?
These are transparent, individually designed overlays that the patient changes himself every few days so that the teeth gradually move. The material of the overlays is practically invisible, but for important social occasions they can be removed. In order to achieve the planned treatment effects, the overlays should be worn at least 22 hours a day.
How is the treatment going?
First, we make a treatment plan. Specialized computer software helps design a plan to move teeth from their current location to the best possible alignment. This movement is divided into several dozen stages. A separate set of overlays for the upper and lower dental arch is prepared for each stage.
We perform periodic check-ups, the frequency of which is decided by the orthodontist. During the control, the doctor assesses whether the teeth move in accordance with the selected concept and gives the patient another set of overlays.
What are the advantages of overlay treatment?
- Take off and put on – you take off the trays for eating and brushing your teeth, so there is no need to change your diet and there are no difficulties in maintaining proper oral hygiene.
- Comfort – the soft, flexible material from which the trays are made does not irritate the soft tissues of the oral cavity as metal wires and locks can.
- Shorter treatment time – overlay treatment is a completely personalized method. The treatment time varies depending on the severity of the orthodontic problem, but it is always shorter than when using conventional appliances.
- Discreet appearance – due to the transparent material, the overlays are practically invisible. They do not disturb the aesthetics of the smile, and their minimum thickness does not affect the profile of the lips and phonetics.
