Who among us does not dream of a beautiful, healthy and straight smile? Current orthodontic technology allows us to achieve incredible results in this field for both children and adults. Currently, orthodontics can offer us several solutions, from which the orthodontist will select the one that is most suitable for us.
Straight teeth are not only a decoration for every person, but also an efficient food grinding system. Each malocclusion has unpleasant consequences in the form of increased exposure to caries, disorders of the temporomandibular joint, headaches, digestive tract disorders, and excessive tooth abrasion. However, we can easily cope with it as early as possible by using the appropriate orthodontic solution.
The first visit to an orthodontist should take place at the age of 6, when the child only has milk teeth or mixed teeth. The orthodontist will check whether the child's bite is correct and, if necessary, fit the appropriate orthodontic appliance immediately or suggest waiting until the child has all permanent teeth and at the age of approximately 12-14 years, he or she will use a permanent appliance. There is a removable device for younger children.
Mobile camera
It is used in children with primary or mixed teeth. It should be worn for about 1.5 years, 12-14 hours a day. In practice, children most often wear braces at night, which is why treatment is often extended to a period of 2 years. After this time, the orthodontist assesses the progress and if the removable brace has not fully corrected the malocclusion, he may suggest installing a fixed brace. This is possible for children from 12-14 years of age. The advantage of a removable brace is its price, which ranges from several hundred zlotys to just over a thousand zlotys, and the fact that it can be freely removed at any time, which is impossible when using a fixed brace.
Fixed brace
Fixed braces are used in adolescents and adults who increasingly decide to improve their bite. Due to the more calcified bone, it is more difficult to form, so this process is longer and depends on the age, defect and oral hygiene of the patient. Fixed braces can only be installed and removed by an orthodontist. The process of putting on the brace takes about an hour. Fixed braces are divided into external - glued to the outer part of the teeth, internal - glued to the inner part of the teeth, making them completely invisible, and so-called aesthetic braces, which are to be as little visible as possible while ensuring maximum bite correction effectiveness. In the case of fixed external braces, prices range from over one thousand zlotys to almost three thousand zlotys or more. The price depends on the material from which the lock is made. Although the prices seem high, assuming that the braces will be with us for several years, it is worth investing in brackets that will not be visible on our teeth.
Metal zippers
- High durability of the material
- Small size
- High aesthetics and comfort
- The base of the bracket is made of micromesh, thanks to which it adheres perfectly to the tooth surface
- Easy to remove after treatment
- Biocompatibility
Ceramic locks
- Color close to natural tooth color
- Great aesthetic values
- High durability
- Treatment effectiveness
- An easy and safe way to unstick a zipper
Crystal locks
- Made of single crystal sapphire
- Completely transparent - provide a natural look
- Thanks to the smooth surface and rounded contours of the wings, they ensure comfort of use
- Minimal friction
What else does the external camera consist of?
In addition to brackets, fixed orthodontic appliances consist of metal rings glued to the molars with a special fluoride glue. A wire passes through the brackets mentioned above and acts on the teeth with a specific force, moving them relative to each other or rotating them around their own axis. The last element are ligatures, which are replaced during each visit, and flexible elements in various colors. Since fixed braces are no longer an embarrassing topic for both young people and adults, we can increasingly see the selection of colorful ligatures that emphasize the visibility of the brace and the character of its owner. The last element is the archwire, which is replaced several times during treatment.
Advantages of fixed braces
A huge advantage of fixed braces is the fact that they affect the teeth 24 hours a day. The inability to remove the camera makes it an ideal solution for undisciplined, busy people, or, for example, athletes. The treatment period lasts about 2 years, so it is not too much of a sacrifice on the patient's part. The brace does not disturb proper pronunciation, although it may seem slightly different at first. If we decide on fixed braces, we must remember that it will require excellent oral hygiene, as food remains between the teeth, elastics and brackets may lead to cavities and discoloration. To properly care for your teeth, orthodontists recommend using orthodontic toothbrushes with a groove, cleaning brushes of various thicknesses to remove food remnants from between the teeth and the braces, floss with a hardened tip, mouthwash and an irrigator.
Who cannot wear fixed braces
Unfortunately, there are some contraindications to wearing fixed braces. If we suffer from chronic diseases associated with reduced immunity, e.g. leukemia, we cannot wear braces. Before an orthodontic consultation, any hormonal disorders should be treated and diabetes should be corrected. Without these actions, correction may not proceed properly. You should consult a doctor if you are taking medications against osteoporosis, suffer from periodontal disease or suffer from bone loss and loose teeth. After regulating these issues in our body and after a check-up with an orthodontist who confirms that there are no contraindications, we can decide to install fixed braces to enjoy a straight, healthy smile after a few years.