Orthodontic treatment is an area of dentistry that diagnoses and corrects misalignment problems of the teeth and jaw. These can result in a number of health problems, including difficulty chewing, mouth breathing or drooling.
Common orthodontic problems include crooked, overcrowded or impacted teeth, as well as anteroposterior discrepancies (such as an overbite or underbite). These can interfere with bite formation, speech development, and a person’s ability to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Removable appliances
Removable appliances are a great way to make orthodontic treatment more convenient for you. They can be easily cleaned, don’t cause discomfort and are a lot cheaper than fixed appliances.
There are several types of removable appliances in use in modern orthodontics, each designed to address a specific need. These include headgear, lingual braces and clear aligners.
Invisalign is a type of removable appliance that is used for mild to moderate problems like overbites and misaligned teeth. The clear aligners are customized for your bite using computer imaging technology, and they straighten teeth without the need for metal wires or brackets.
These clear appliances are typically worn for about 2 weeks, and they can be removed at any time to eat or drink. They are not as strong as fixed braces, so they are not recommended for complex problems, but they can be a good option for mild cases.
Another type of appliance is the Cetlin expander, which helps create space when there is insufficient room for a child’s upper permanent teeth to erupt. The device uses gradual outward pressure on the connective tissue between the left and right halves of the jaw to stimulate bone growth, resulting in an increased width.
This is especially helpful for children and adolescents who have had their teeth removed prematurely due to caries or other reasons. It also works well for those who are at risk of developing cavities, such as those with a high sugar diet or who smoke.
If you are thinking about getting a removable appliance, be sure to talk with your dentist to see if this is the best option for you. They will be able to recommend the right appliances for you based on your needs and your budget.
A removable appliance can be made of many different materials. Acrylic is an excellent choice because it is more durable and less likely to break than plastic.
However, it must be kept clean to prevent buildup of bacteria and tartar that can lead to infections. It is also important to keep the appliance in its original box or case when it isn’t in use, so that it doesn’t get lost.
Fixed appliances
Fixed appliances are devices that cannot be removed from the mouth. They are used to correct skeletal and jaw discrepancies as well as dental irregularities. They can be made from a variety of materials, including metal and ceramic, but are often referred to as “braces.”
Fixed orthodontic appliances are designed to move teeth and stabilize jaws, and include braces, palate expanders, pendulum appliances, permanent retainers and other appliances. Some are active appliances, which use force to change the relationship of the teeth and others are passive appliances, which stimulate muscle responses that lead to a change in the relationship between the teeth.
The most common type of fixed appliance is traditional metal braces. They are a reliable, effective and economical form of treatment, and today’s versions have become smaller and less visible than in the past.
They also come in a clear, ceramic material that blends in with your teeth and are much more aesthetically pleasing. They are usually recommended for the upper teeth only, but can be used on lower teeth if necessary.
Other types of fixed appliances include lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth instead of on the surface of the tongue. These are not as comfortable to wear and can sometimes take longer to treat.
These types of appliances are more expensive than other types, and they can also be less durable. However, they are more aesthetically pleasing and can help to improve your smile.
Despite the improvements in fixed appliances over the years, some problems remain. For example, they have been shown to be associated with discomfort in adolescents undergoing treatment.
Some patients experience pain due to their braces, and some have other symptoms as well, such as sores or irritations in the gums or cheeks. These symptoms can interfere with daily activities and have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life.
A recent study examined the influence of discomfort due to the use of fixed orthodontic appliances on adolescents’ quality of life. Researchers collected data from 62,496 adolescents in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. They found that the prevalence of discomfort was 15%. They also found that age, speech impairment, poor oral hygiene and tooth mobility were correlated with discomfort attributed to the use of fixed appliances.
Plates
Plates are a type of removable appliance which are used to correct small orthodontic problems, often where only one or two teeth are involved. They are a good choice for early orthodontic treatment when a child is still growing, and can help to prevent more severe dental problems in their teenage years.
They can be made in a variety of ways, including with colours and sparkles to suit your child’s personality. They can also be personalised with images, such as photos or artwork, which are placed inside the plate.
A plate can move one or more teeth and may also hold them in place as the jaws develop and adult teeth erupt. They can be worn during sleep or during the day. They are not as comfortable as braces but they can be a useful tool for early orthodontics and can help to shape your child’s smile before more extensive treatment is required later in life.
The use of plates is increasing in orthodontics, as they allow more accurate and predictable tooth movements. However, placement of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in areas where the bone quality is poor can jeopardise their stability and impede usage of these types of appliances for treatment.
To improve the success rate of this type of temporary anchorage device, a new study examined the outcomes for patients who had miniplates as part of their orthodontic treatment. Clinical records were reviewed in private practice practices that specialized in placing skeletal anchorage systems miniplates.
Overall, the results indicated that these TSADs were a highly successful and predictable tool in addressing a wide range of complex orthodontic movements. A high percentage of cases achieved desired tooth movements. A moderate percentage of patients experienced mild complications. Despite this, the overall success rate of these TSADs was high (98.6%).
The most common complication of the skeletal anchorage system miniplates was soft tissue inflammation that was amenable to focused oral hygiene and antiseptic rinses. However, it is important to note that patients who experience complications need to be treated as soon as possible. In order to prevent these complications, patients should wear their TSADs as prescribed and should follow all instructions.
Surgery
While many people think of orthodontics as the process of using braces to straighten teeth, surgical orthodontics can be a very effective way to address severe cases of bite irregularities that are not corrected by conventional orthodontics. Jaw surgery is a type of dental surgery that can correct problems such as misaligned jaws or facial bones, which can cause speech disorders, chewing and breathing issues and self-esteem problems.
Surgical orthognathic (jaw) surgery is performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. During the procedure, cuts are made inside of the mouth to reposition and reinforce bone that has become displaced. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, and it may or may not be in a hospital setting.
There are several different types of orthognathic surgeries, but all involve repositioning the jaws. They can be a life-changing event for patients who have suffered from malocclusions and bite problems.
In most cases, a person with severe bite problems will need surgical treatment as part of their orthodontic care. This treatment can only be recommended after a thorough evaluation by the orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The goal of surgical orthodontics is to bring the jaws into proper alignment so that a person can have a healthy and attractive smile. This is important for chewing and speaking, as well as protecting the jaw joints and relieving pain caused by chronic temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Most of the time, a patient who needs surgical orthodontics will have a severe malocclusion that has caused functional problems. These problems include a bad bite, an underbite or overbite, and crooked teeth.
These issues can also lead to problems with the jaw joint, such as TMJ or bruxism. This can cause headaches, jaw pain and problems with chewing and speaking.
Typically, a person with malocclusion will need to wear braces for 6-12 months after the surgery. After this time, a retainer is worn to keep the jaw in its new position. During this time, the orthodontist will continue to “fine-tune” the patient’s bite.