Adult orthodontics

adult orthodontics

Why, how, where, who and what

Until today, there have never been so many ways to straighten teeth. So it is important to make the right decision.

This guide is written to help you move towards different treatment options and choose an appropriate treatment method.

Orthodontics isn't just about straightening your teeth, it can change the way you look, how you chew, and the health of your entire mouth. It is a specialty that is a combination of science and art.

 

Why

The reasons for wanting smooth and neat teeth in adult life are many and very diverse, especially because teeth can move and become messy with age. Other reasons may be that you:

•  
• You had orthodontic treatment when you were younger but did not use retainers.
• Have gum problems, so your teeth are loose in the gum, displaced and misaligned.
• You need a dental implant and the space must be created with orthodontics.
• You just want to make your smile design more beautiful.
• You have seen advertisements that made you aware that orthodontic treatment is also possible for adults.

Smoothing and straightening teeth is not only about appearance, but can also be useful for the function of teeth. The meaning of the function is the way of biting and chewing.

 

How

Nowadays, there are different types of brackets in terms of appearance, material and size. In general, no bracket is predictable in terms of being faster, and each of the three broad categories of brackets has advantages and disadvantages.

 

Traditional Fixed Brackets (Rail)

Traditional and wire brackets are very effective systems for teeth movement that have been used and tested over the years. They come in different types for back and front teeth with slight variations in design and appearance. Today, there are various invisible brackets, including transparent (crystalline) brackets or brackets that are placed behind the teeth (lingual brackets).

 

Clear aligners

These types of clear aligners, which are like a mouth guard, are made individually for you and your teeth. You will be given a new aligner every few weeks to gradually adjust your teeth to the new position.

 

Orthosurgery treatment (orthodontics with surgery)  

For a small group of adults, the desired result cannot be achieved with brackets alone. They also need surgery to reposition the jaw.

 

Where

You can do your treatment in an office or hospital according to your need and choice of doctor. You can be referred to the office or to the hospital for treatment according to your choice of orthodontic specialist.

You are advised to ensure that your doctor or orthodontist has the necessary skills and experience. If you are not sure, you can always get the opinion of another orthodontic specialist.

keypoint

If you have spent a long period of your life with untidy teeth, you may have other problems such as wear caused by untidy teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange your teeth once by an orthodontist.

keypoints

•  
• In recent years, short-term and fast orthodontic techniques have grown in society, which tend to focus on quick results but with limited goals.
• You may aim to improve only smile design without emphasizing chewing and dental function.
• Before starting the treatment, make sure what you can and cannot get in this treatment. It is important to understand how chewing may be affected if treatment is only focused on your smile design.
• Dangers of the treatment should always be explained (more information is available on the site)

 

Who

Who performs orthodontic treatment?

•  
• Most treatments are performed by an orthodontist in the office.
• An orthodontic specialist is a dentist who has completed at least 3 years of training more than a general dentist (dental surgeon). They work in the office, hospital and community.
• Complex cases, especially those that require surgery, often refer to an experienced orthodontist.

Many general dentists refer their orthodontic patients to skilled and experienced orthodontic specialists. Advanced training of an orthodontist is important to diagnose and identify complex cases or dealing with unexpected tooth movements that may occur during treatment.

Notes:

•  
• Explain your treatment expectations to your orthodontist.
• Ask if your orthodontist offers a variety of options for your orthodontic treatment.
• Ask the orthodontist how many cases of orthodontic treatment he has performed.
• Be aware of quick solutions to potentially complex problems.
• If the treatment lives up to the marketing promise, it may be worth another look.
• If you are going to treat poorly, it is better not to treat at all.

Choosing the best orthodontic specialist to meet your needs is more important than choosing the orthodontic method.

To help you find a good orthodontist, here are some questions:

These questions are:

•  
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of treatment?
• What happens if I do not choose treatment?
• What kind of treatment do you recommend?
• Is there any alternative treatment?
• How many patients have you treated?

 

What

Disordered teeth

Nearly 45% of people have irregular teeth. This is the most common reason for adults to start orthodontic treatment. In some cases, tooth extraction is necessary to create space for the teeth to line up regularly.

 

Spaced teeth

Gaps between teeth can occur in many cases, including jaws that are larger than normal or teeth that are smaller than normal. In some cases, the permanent teeth do not grow, and this causes gaps between the teeth in the mouth.

 

 

protruding teeth

Another common problem is having a lower jaw that is too far back, causing the upper teeth to appear protruding. Also, the upper teeth can move forward.

 

openbyte

The upper and lower teeth do not meet at the front of the mouth

Often, the appearance of the teeth is less of a concern, while the problem is more in biting foods such as apples and… is. Surprisingly, open bite is a complex problem to treat and may require jaw surgery.

deepbyte

The upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth

When your upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much, it can hurt you. When chewing, the lower teeth hit the back of the upper teeth, which leads to wear and potentially damage to the gums. Some people who have deep bite teeth have their front teeth tilted inwards.

 

crossbyte

The upper teeth are behind the lower teeth

Not only does a crossbite create an asymmetrical smile, it also makes eating more challenging because chewing does not naturally occur. The teeth are awkwardly placed together, which causes damage to the teeth. In severe cases, orthodontics with jaw surgery (orthosurgery) may be needed.