Orthodontic Treatment

You probably know that it’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment. But did you know that when it comes to your little one’s teeth, early treatment can be better than late treatment?

There are several ways that children can benefit from seeing an orthodontist at an early age. However, it is important to know that early evaluation is not necessarily followed by early treatment. Although each child’s development is different, in most children, the first adult molars generally begin to appear around the age of six. This, together with other developmental markers, provides an understanding of the basic alignment of the teeth from front to back and side to side. At this point, it may be possible to determine whether there is enough room in the mouth for all permanent teeth and, if not, to take action.

What are Orthodontic Problems?

One of the orthodontic problems is severe crossbite, a condition in which the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth. A device called a palatal expander can be used to treat this problem, which gradually and painlessly expands the upper jaw; it is especially effective when the jaw itself is not fully developed.

Another condition that can benefit from early treatment is severe crowding. This occurs when the jaw is too small to accommodate all permanent teeth. At this point, palate expansion or tooth extraction may be recommended to help the adult teeth erupt properly (erupt from under the gums). Even if braces are needed later, the treatment time is likely to be shorter and less complicated.

Early intervention can also help to solve many other problems. Protruding teeth, especially in the front, can be prone to chipping and breaking; they can also lead to problems with the child’s self-image. Braces and orthodontic appliances can be used successfully to correct these problems at this stage when the child’s development is in full swing, thus increasing the chances of avoiding surgery.

Correcting Bad Habits

At any time, anyone can pick up a bad habit. However, there are some situations where a young person’s dysfunctional (unhealthy) habits can really affect the development and function of their teeth, jaws and mouth. Examples include constant thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The sucking reflex is natural in early childhood. However, if it continues later, the pressure exerted by the finger on the front teeth and upper jaw can actually cause the teeth to separate and the jaw to change shape.

An abnormal breathing pattern, in which the mouth is always open and the air is delivered directly into the lungs, is related to changes in the muscle function of the tongue and face. It can cause abnormal growth of the upper and lower jaw, leading to serious orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical challenge, it can become a habitual action that is difficult to break. Various orthodontic treatments are available to help correct these parafunctional habits – and the sooner they are taken care of, the less damage they can cause.

How Is Orthodontic Treatment Performed?

All orthodontic appliances work in basically the same way: by applying gentle, constant force to bring the teeth into proper alignment. However, because so many innovations have become available in recent years, how we apply these forces can change. Some of the newer, less visible orthodontic appliances are designed to more easily accommodate the personal and professional lifestyle of an adult or teenager.

For the vast majority of orthodontic patients, wearing fixed appliances is usually an important part of treatment and most people are more familiar with the term braces than the term appliances. In braces treatment, mostly metal types of appliances are used.

Firstly, we must distinguish between fixed and removable appliances. Fixed appliances such as braces are attached to the teeth with metal bands. They are normally not removed until the treatment is complete. Removable appliances, such as clear aligners, are usually worn for about 22 hours a day, but can be easily removed if necessary. While clear aligners can be effective in treating mild to moderate orthodontic problems, fixed appliances are usually needed for more extensive treatment. Types of orthodontic appliances include:

Traditional Metal Braces – When you picture someone wearing braces, this is probably what comes to mind: small metal brackets glued to the front of the teeth. A thin wire runs through the brackets and is attached at each end to metal bands that wrap around a back molar.

Clear brackets – Instead of noticeable metal brackets, you can have clear brackets made of ceramic, plastic, or a combination of both. They are hardly visible except for the thin wire that runs through them, but they are more susceptible to breakage than metal braces.

Clear Aligners – As an alternative to the fixed-type orthodontic appliances mentioned above, clear aligners can be removed. Essentially, these are a series of clear plastic ‘trays’ that fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is part of a series of trays that move your teeth a little at a time until they are in the proper position.

Lingual Braces – These metal brackets are attached to the back of your teeth (tongue side) so that no one can see them. Lingual braces are not the appropriate treatment for every orthodontic situation. Specialised training is required to wear them and they are significantly more expensive than standard braces. In addition, the patient usually needs a little more time to get used to them and they can lengthen the treatment slightly. However, if you want the least visible type of fixed appliance, then lingual braces may be just what you are looking for.

After Orthodontic Treatment

No matter what type of appliance you choose and no matter what age you are, wearing retainers after orthodontic treatment is very important. Teeth that are not held in place by a retainer long enough for new supporting bone to develop around them can return to their original position, and this is definitely not something you want to see.

Author: Işık Kendirli