Introduction

It aims to correct teeth and jaw malpositioning. Crowded teeth or not fitting well are more difficult to clean and are more likely to have dental caries or periodontal disease. It also causes extra stress on the muscles of mastication causing temporo-mandibular disorders with headache and arthritis of the temporomandibular joint.
So orthodontic treatment contributes to a healthy mouth, aesthetically beautiful teeth that are more likely to remain like that for more time.

 

What factors contribute to the development of malocclusion?

- Heredity;
- Trauma;
- Habits
Certain habits are considered normal, as the normal action of lips and chewing, as they play an important role in the growth of the jaws. The unusual habits that interfere with the regular pattern of facial growth are responsible for malocclusion. This leads to defective bone growth, poorly positioned teeth, difficulty in breathing and finger sucking. This is practiced by many children and this habit is usually abandoned at about 3 or 4 years without sequelae. Continuing the habit of sucking the thumb or fingers, beyond this age may be a direct cause of severe malocclusion.
-Systemic diseases;

 

When to start?

It is recommended that all children receive an orthodontic evaluation around 6 / 7 years. This is the ideal age to assess the need for orthodontic treatment and type of treatment, because the bones are still growing.
Orthodontic treatment in young children is called interceptive treatment. At this age, tooth development and growth of the jaws is not yet complete so it is easier to correct some problems. A common problem is small space to accommodate teeth. Interceptive treatment takes advantage of the fact that the jaw is still growing and we use a palate expander for expanding the upper arch. As the size of the arch becomes appropriate is more likely that the erupted permanent teeth goes into correct position. However, after the complete eruption of permanent teeth the patient should undergo further evaluation by the orthodontist.
It is noted that children who receive interceptive treatment may still need fixed orthodontic treatment (braces) later, after eruption of the permanent teeth, however this treatment will be shorter, simplified and with less drastic measures (eg, may not require dental extractions or orthognathic surgery).

When it is indicated?

The orthodontist will assess whether the patient needs orthodontic treatment through clinical history, clinical exam, plaster models of teeth, radiographs and photographs

 

Orthodontic treatment can be done on adults?

The number of adults using fixed appliances has increased in recent times for various reasons. Some seek treatment to avoid that the problems of the jaws and temporomandibular joint get worse, others for aesthetic reasons, to feel better about their appearance. It should be noted that even the aesthetic problems can cause damage over time. Teeth are not correctly aligned are subject to premature wear, caries and periodontal disease, with consequent loss of teeth.

How long?

The duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the orthodontic problem, growth, tissue response to treatment and patient cooperation, and is usually between 24 and 36 months.

What precautions to take?

It is necessary to devote more time to brushing so that all areas around the braces are properly clean. The patient should use an interdental brush and an antiseptic mouthwash.
The aim is to remove plaque that is around the teeth and gums. Bacteria of the plaque can cause gingivitis, decalcification and permanent enamel caries. The device does not cause these changes but makes it more difficult to remove plaque.

What is orthognathic surgery?

This type of surgery aims to align the jaws. Most frequent indications are the correction of facial deformities, dental appearance, chewing problems due to malocclusion or speech abnormalities. The most frequent problems corrected by orthognathic surgery are the developmental disabilities of the upper or lower jaw, increased or decreased exposure of the anterior-superior or facial asymmetry. It also has particular importance in cases of congenital craniofacial syndromes such as cleft palate.

The vast majority of orthognathic cases require a period of treatment with fixed appliance in preparation for surgery. This allows for optimal correction of occlusion and the appearance of the face and teeth. After surgery follows a variable period to complete the tooth positioning.