Orthodontic treatment

What is orthodontics all about?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention and treatment of occlusal and maxillo-facial defects in children, adolescents and adults.

Abnormal alignment of teeth can already be noticed when the first permanent teeth appear, i.e. at the age of 6-8 years. It is the best moment to schedule an orthodontic check-up as it may help us avoid caries and speech impediments in our children. The best time to begin orthodontic treatment with permanent braces is the growth phase, namely the age of 12 years. Such timing will guarantee quick, effective and long-lasting results and effects of the treatment. It is becoming increasingly common for adults to discover the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Apparently, age is not a barrier to commencing orthodontic treatment and enjoying a beautiful smile.

Medicover Stomatologia offers a wide range of treatment options tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Methods of orthodontic treatment

One of them is the self-ligating system which does not employ elastic “rubber” ligatures. The arches are supported by means of special flaps fitted into the brackets. This helps to minimise friction which is a common side effect in the traditional method where it is generated by the teeth shifting along the arch of the permanent appliance. As a result, this treatment method allows for generating lower forces and, consequently, guarantees a significant reduction in pain symptoms and discomfort which usually accompany orthodontic treatment. Moreover, this method makes it possible to maintain and is conducive to ideal oral hygiene, where the build-up of dental plaque (which is known to cause caries and gingivitis) is reduced by 40% compared with traditional orthodontic methods using elastic ligatures. The aesthetic aspect is not without significance either. The brackets of self-ligating braces are smaller in size and hence less visible in the patient’s mouth.

What is the course of an orthodontic appointment?

First appointment

During the first appointment, the dental practitioner takes the impressions of the patient’s mouth, which are then transferred to a prosthetist who prepares gypsum moulds of the maxilla and mandible. The dental professional also takes colour scans of the teeth and face. They are needed to determine a treatment plan and, at the same time, they constitute a pleasant surprise when the patient is shown a picture from before the treatment once the orthodontic appliance has been removed. Before the next appointment, the dental practitioner makes an insightful analysis of the photographs, models and X-ray, panoramic and cephalometric scans. They are used to prepare a treatment plan and make a decision on any potential extractions.

Second appointment

The treatment plan is presented at the next meeting and, when accepted by the patient, the process of separation begins. It is performed by means of tiny elastic rubbers which, if placed between the teeth, find a little space necessary for applying the rings.

Third appointment

The next appointment is held after 5-7 days and it involves the application of a metal, transparent or lingual appliance (no rings are used for lingual braces). This appointment lasts from 1 to 2 hours.

Further treatment

The subsequent appointments are scheduled at intervals of 4-6 weeks. Extending the time between the appointments without consulting your attending dental professional results in the extension of the overall treatment time. This time depends on the type of orthodontic defect and is, on average, 2 years.

At what patient’s age can we start to treat malocclusion?

The Polish Orthodontic Society recommends that children receive an orthodontic check-up as soon as possible. The first orthodontic visit can be as early as at the age of 2-3, but it should definitely occur before the age of seven.

How should I prepare for orthodontic treatment?

Before the start of orthodontic treatment, and especially prior to fitting fixed braces, all teeth must:

• undergo hygienisation;
• be healthy;
• have gums without any signs of inflammation (loosening, redness, bleeding, pain).

Are there age limits to receiving orthodontic treatment?

The commonly held view that orthodontic correction is not possible in mature persons is a myth that still lingers among many Poles. Meanwhile, the opposite is true. Age is not a contraindication for treatment of malocclusion, also in adulthood. You can (and should) undergo the teeth straightening process, and it will benefit not only your beauty and well-being, but also your health.

Can fixed braces be fitted only either on the upper jaw or the lower jaw?

In the majority of cases – no. Teeth function properly if the contact between the upper and lower dental arch is correct, and the interdental triad is maintained properly (i.e. contact of opposing teeth between the maxilla and the mandible). Changing the position of the teeth in one jaw automatically affects the position of the neighbouring teeth, and the teeth in the opposite jaw. Very rarely it happens that the patient is treated with braces on just one jaw. This applies to minor adjustments in adults, for whom it sometimes is possible to fit only one orthodontic brace, or just part of it.

Is the process of fitting braces painful?

The process of fitting braces is not painful. The only inconvenience is that for about an hour you have to stay in a chair in the orthodontist office with your mouth open. However, after several hours, your teeth may become slightly tender and sensitive to biting. At that time we recommend eating only soft foods and drinking cool drinks. After a few days all symptoms disappear.