Adult orthodontics
A large percentage of adults find themselves in the unpleasant position of admitting that they feel at a disadvantage or are embarrassed to smile because their teeth are particularly crooked . They feel that they have lost the opportunity to straighten their teeth and finally get the perfect smile, because now they are adults.
Although transparent brackets have already been invented, most adults do not decide to install them because, on the one hand, they consider that despite their transparent construction material, they continue to be clearly visible (over time, they turn slightly yellow and also retain a sufficient amount of food), and on the other hand, because they feel that “they have now missed the train” since they did not enter the orthodontic treatment process when they were teenagers (many also believe that teeth cannot be corrected due to age).
Now this problem tends to be eliminated with ” transparent underarms “! The treatment with transparent armpits involves a certain number of transparent personalized braces , each of which is designed by the dentist and worn for about 2 weeks. The armpits are invisible and do not hinder speaking at all, except for the first 2-3 days. The patient should wear them throughout the day and only remove them at mealtime.
The duration of the orthodontic treatment depends on the particular orthodontic problem. It is worth noting that either severe skeletal abnormalities or difficult orthodontic problems may not be able to be corrected with this method.
Our dental office collaborates for all our orthodontic cases, for adults and children.
Below are some questions and answers he made available to us for you:
I am interested in straightening my teeth and I have read a lot about the types of orthodontic appliances there are, but I am confused, how many types are there and what does each one serve?
Modern orthodontics offers patients several options to achieve a healthy and bright smile. There are the classic metal brackets ( braces ) that suit all ages and can help to deal with any occlusal deviation from normal. We also have the option for patients with special aesthetic requirements during the treatment, to choose transparent braces (ceramics). Clear braces are mainly chosen for adults but can also be fitted to teenagers. In patients with an even stronger need for “invisible” orthodontic mechanisms, we can choose either the placement of lingual brackets (braces on the inside of the teeth) or transparent braces. The well-known WIN and Incognito methods also belong to the language technique. Correspondingly, transparent braces include the Invisalign, Orthocaps and Clear Aligner methods. After our 1st appointment, we can choose together the most suitable method that will cover your own aesthetic and therapeutic needs.
What are Invisible Braces?
There are 3 types of orthodontic mechanisms that can be characterized as “invisible” or more correctly as less visible to the common eye:
- Transparent (ceramic) braces: They are placed on the front of the teeth, but they are transparent and allow light to pass through their material, resulting in mainly the teeth being visible, with almost no projection of the orthodontic mechanisms.
- Lingual braces: They are the mechanisms that are placed on the inner surface of the teeth and are metal. They are very difficult to detect by ordinary observers.
- Transparent orthodontic braces: they embrace the entire surface of the teeth, without hindering speech and without any effect on appearance.
Which conditions/categories of orthodontic problems can be treated and which cannot?
All orthodontic anomalies can now be treated, as long as there is a correct diagnosis and a scientifically sound treatment plan from the start. Some problems must and can only be dealt with during the growth of an organism, that is, at young ages, while some others can be dealt with at an older age. This is also the reason why a first visit to the orthodontist at the age of 7 is recommended for children.
Invisible braces or invisible braces? What are the different types and what materials are they made of?
“Invisible” braces are mainly made of ceramic or plastic material. They cannot be moved by patients and are placed on the front of the teeth. They cause a little more discomfort compared to transparent splints for patients, for the first 3 days until they get used to the mechanisms.
The “invisible” splints are made of a special thermoplastic material . They embrace the entire surface of the teeth. They enable the patient to remove the devices themselves, in order to consume food or for social reasons. They require the absolute cooperation of the patient, so that it is applied for sufficient hours.
Are invisible braces for children and adults?
Both transparent ceramic braces and “invisible” orthodontic braces can be placed on adults as well as children. In children, we only have the limitation of their facial growth, which in case we want to take advantage of it to correct some skeletal deviation from normal, treatment with transparent orthodontic braces is not indicated. Also, the control of cooperation in children and young adolescents is an additional limitation.
At what age can a child start orthodontic treatment?
Unfortunately, there is no fixed and specific age at which orthodontic treatment should begin. It is good to have a 1st visit around the age of 7 and there to plan if and at what age the intervention of the orthodontist will be needed. In case we miss the age of 7 for the 1st acquaintance, we should definitely plan a date until the age of 9 .
Do I have to have a fully healthy mouth to get braces? What do I do if I have gingivitis or periodontitis?
A necessary condition for the successful outcome of an orthodontic treatment is to be carried out in conditions of absolute health of the oral cavity. If there is gingivitis or periodontitis , we delay the start of orthodontic treatment until a healthy oral cavity is achieved. However, at our 1st appointment a full dental checkup is done, so even if you don’t know the condition of your mouth before starting orthodontic treatment, we can inform you and help you achieve a healthy and pleasant smile.
Do my dental implants affect orthodontic treatment? can i start right away?
Dental implants do not allow us to move them, as they are integrated with the bone in the area where they are placed. Therefore, if there are already implants placed, we adapt our treatment to the positions they are in. In the event that restoration with dental implants is now being planned, it is useful to plan the prosthetic restoration in collaboration with the treating dentist and orthodontist before starting either treatment.
What are the advantages of choosing invisible orthodontic appliances?
The biggest advantage of choosing “invisible” orthodontic mechanisms is aesthetics . In addition, transparent orthodontic braces allow a very good control of oral hygiene, as the patient can remove the mechanisms and clean his oral cavity without any obstacle, just like before the start of orthodontic treatment.
What is the placement process? Will it be on a date?
The placement of the mechanisms depends on which type we choose. In the case of fixed appliances, they are placed gradually, usually starting with the upper jaw and after a few months the appliances are also placed in the lower jaw. In treatments with transparent braces, the treatment starts simultaneously on both jaws immediately after receiving the mechanisms from the respective laboratory (Invisalign, Orthocaps, Clear Aligner).
How often should I visit the orthodontist for my braces?
The frequency of visits to the specialist orthodontist is usually once every 4-6 weeks. The specific frequency allows the full control of the treatment by the doctor, the correct adjustment of the mechanisms and the completion of each treatment on time. In addition, the orthodontist has the ability to regularly check the hygiene of the mouth, preventing possible carious lesions or inflammation of the gums.
If I put invisible braces, will it hurt? At what stage and for how long?
Unfortunately, there is no fixed and specific age at which orthodontic treatment should begin. It is good to have a 1st visit around the age of 7 and there to plan if and at what age the intervention of the orthodontist will be needed. In case we miss the age of 7 for the 1st acquaintance, we should definitely plan a date until the age of 9 .
I've heard of the Invisalign "method", what is it? Are there others?
The therapeutic method “Invisalign” is the epitome of orthodontic treatment with transparent braces. It is suitable for all ages of patients as well as for almost all occlusal anomalies. It allows teeth to be moved after fully digitally designing and manufacturing the entire number of necessary splints from scratch. This allows partial monitoring of the treatment from a distance, the frequency of appointments is reduced and the patient can have an image of the final position of his teeth before starting. There are other corresponding methods with transparent splints, but they have a more limited range of application regarding the occlusion anomalies they can deal with.
Why not get lingual braces that are not visible and go for invisible braces or invisible braces?
In general, “invisible” braces as well as white “invisible” braces are more easily tolerated by the majority of patients compared to lingual (internal) braces. Tongue braces can injure the tongue and make chewing and swallowing difficult for a few days. They are also more likely to affect speech for a few days until the patient gets used to them.
How long will I have to "wear" the invisible braces or invisible splints? Does the time vary depending on the appliance chosen or does it only depend on my orthodontic problem?
Usual time of a complete orthodontic treatment is around 24 months. From then on, each patient is evaluated individually and depending on the problem they are experiencing as well as the treatment we choose, they are informed from the beginning about the estimated duration of their orthodontic treatment.
I've read that you usually do tooth extractions to start with? Is this always the case? Do I have alternatives?
There are orthodontic problems that, to be properly treated with long-term stability, require the removal of some permanent teeth. This is usually more common in adults who were not treated at the right time, so our solutions are a bit more limited and possibly one and/or more extractions help us achieve the desired result.
What about my wisdom teeth, should I have them removed before starting orthodontic treatment?
After the orthodontist evaluates the x-rays, it is decided if and when the wisdom teeth should be removed. Most of the time they do not create a problem in the progress of orthodontic treatment.
Will I have to change my diet or anything else in my daily life if I get braces?
During the orthodontic treatment, it is recommended not to consume hard and sticky foods to avoid any discomfort from injury as well as to avoid the risk of detachment of some mechanism. In orthodontic treatments with transparent braces, these limitations do not exist since, by removing the mechanisms, the patient can enjoy any food without discomfort and risk of detachment.
Will orthodontic treatment affect my speech? To what extent and how easily will I adapt?
Orthodontic treatment may affect speech only during the first few days of placing the appliances, i.e. until the tongue and lips get used to their new environment. Then there is usually no difficulty at all.
A common question regarding braces and orthodontic treatment is “How much do they cost? What is their price and how much money do we need to get started?”
The cost of orthodontic treatment if you read what we have written on our page you would understand that it is a function of many factors and the treatment plan that we will finally choose with you, so we ask you to make an appointment with us and give you an estimate of the cost after first review for FREE! We believe that the price criterion is important, as the times are difficult financially, that is why we have adjusted our prices so that you can proceed with the restoration of your smile and in addition the repayment is made gradually with each visit, but we ask you to understand that orthodontic treatment is not a product with a sales price , but a restoration which must be treated with due seriousness and diligence as it is apart from an aesthetic restoration and a functional one . The money needed to start is usually €300 and the total cost is usually from €500 to €2,500 and for more complex skeletal-maxillofacial corrections the cost goes up.