Orthodontics

ORTHODONTICS

ORTHODONTICS is the branch of dentistry that moves the teeth into their correct position using appliances that apply forces to the dental pieces.

Although in the past most orthodontic patients were children or teenagers, today more and more adults decide to “get braces”, both to improve their smile and for their oral health.

Dental appliances can be fixed or removable.

FIXED ORTHODONTICS

FIXED ORTHODONTICS is commonly known as “braces” and consists of small plates bonded to the teeth and connected by a fine metal archwire. Brackets can be metal or ceramic (tooth-coloured: “aesthetic braces”).

Fixed orthodontics can change the position of the teeth very quickly and even individually — something that cannot be achieved with other types of orthodontics.

The lingual variant of fixed orthodontics is placed on the inner surface of the teeth and is therefore almost invisible, but more uncomfortable.

REMOVABLE ORTHODONTICS

REMOVABLE ORTHODONTICS uses appliances that the patient can put in and take out themselves.

The appliance should stay in the mouth for as many hours as possible if good results are to be obtained. The more hours a day it is worn, the shorter the treatment will last.

Because removable orthodontics is not suitable in every case, it is the dentist who must advise on its use.

Removable appliances, with the exception of clear aligners, are generally not suitable for adults, but they may be recommended as support after another type of appliance has been used.

INVISIBLE ORTHODONTICS

INVISIBLE ORTHODONTICS is a modern technique that uses a series of transparent aligners adapted to the patient’s teeth and to the progressive movements needed until the ideal position is reached. With specialised software, the movement of each tooth is planned throughout the treatment until the desired position of every tooth is achieved.

Because the aligners are removable, hygiene is excellent: they can be taken out for cleaning.

A major advantage of this type of orthodontics is its “invisibility”, as the aligners are completely transparent.