Description of the procedure

With the development of dental medicine, nowadays there are no more obstacles to correct irregularities of teeth and jaws at any age, so that everyone can have beautiful and correct teeth.

The goal of orthodontics is not only aesthetics, as is common opinion, but also the functionality of the entire oral system.

The correct position of the teeth in the jaw obtained after orthodontic therapy allows for easier oral hygiene and reduces the possibility of caries, and the correct ratio of the upper and lower jaws allows even transmission of masticatory forces, thus protecting the supporting tooth tissue and teeth from overload, excessive wear and decay. , and reduces or eliminates problems in the jaw joint.

Orthodontic appliances can be mobile or fixed. The patient's mobile can be removed by himself, while the fixed ones are permanently placed on the teeth until the end of the therapy.

Fixed orthodontic therapy

Modern orthodontics is based on therapies with fixed orthodontic appliances. Fixed appliances are indicated in patients with permanent teeth, and can be metallic and aesthetic. Metal ones provide durability, easier hygiene and speed of movement, and aesthetic (ceramic / sapphire / composite) perfect aesthetics.

The fixed device consists of basic elements (locks, rings, tubes and wire arches) and additional elements (ligatures and rubber). Advances in dentistry have brought progress in the manufacture of locks so that today they can be almost imperceptible, and are made of metal, ceramic or composite.

How can i know if i need an orthodontic apparatus?

There are certain indicators based on which you can determine if there is a need for an orthodontic appliance. Some of the indicators are:

• uneven position of teeth
• improper bite
• the distance between the teeth
• excess or lack of teeth in the jaw

If any of these indicators are identified, we recommend that you visit an orthodontist as soon as possible to establish a diagnosis and begin orthodontic therapy.

Course of therapy

As in all branches of medicine, in orthodontics, therapy is not started until a complete diagnosis is made. The patient needs to clinically examine the soft and hard structures of the oral cavity, take impressions of the upper and lower jaw (classic or digital impression), need a set of intra and extra-oral photographs, recording and analysis of orthopantomograms (X-rays of the jaw), and in younger patients growth phase recording of the cephalogram (latero-lateral image of the head).

With the help of the jaw model and other mentioned diagnostic methods, the orthodontist gets a detailed insight not only into the patient's appearance of teeth, but also the face, in order to bring the best treatment plan for that patient. Namely, a change in the position of the teeth often brings with it a change in the external appearance of the face, and in this way orthodontics can also contribute to improving aesthetics.

The importance of oral hygiene

During the entire duration of orthodontic therapy, special attention should be paid to maintaining oral hygiene. Measures to maintain oral hygiene in the wearer of orthodontic appliances are somewhat different from the usual ones. The areas around the locks and under the wires should be thoroughly cleaned with a brush. This is achieved by patient circular brushing. Classic brushes or electric brushes can be used for brushing, as well as additional special orthodontic brushes intended for brushing teeth around orthodontic elements. They are adjusted to the dimensions and shape of the head so that they allow easier access to the areas under the wires and locks. Interdental brushes can also help a lot in maintaining hygiene, since it is almost impossible to thoroughly clean the interdental areas in the presence of a fixed device with an ordinary brush.