Conventional orthodontics has always been rejected by patients who need treatment to correct dental malocclusion. For this reason, invisible aligners have revolutionized the demand for dental correction.
Dental malocclusion is very often synonymous with complexes. Therefore, if teeth are observed deviated, crowded, protruding or the upper teeth do not fit with the lower teeth in the bite, it is necessary to consult a specialist in dentistry so that the diagnosis can be treated early.
What is invisible orthodontics for children?
Invisible orthodontics is characterized by being a state-of-the-art computerized system, where dental movement is based on digital programming that the orthodontist dedicates hours to each patient and which is applied directly to each appliance, according to Silvia Jiménez, an expert orthodontic doctor at the Ciro clinic. This system is based on the application of small molds called aligners that are completely transparent, comfortable and very esthetic.
The treatment is ideal for children from the age of 6, since it offers a series of advantages that conventional systems cannot offer: caries-free, comfortable, practical and aesthetically almost invisible orthodontics.
For this reason, the Ciro Clinic considers transparent orthodontics to be the orthodontics of the 22nd century and places special emphasis on the fact that the orthodontist selected will be fundamental for the optimum result.
From what age can it be used?
It is totally effective at any age. Even so, orthodontics performed at an early age, whenever necessary, is ideal, because the bone is softer and has not yet fully ossified. In adulthood we may encounter more limitations.
In general, orthodontic treatments can be diagnosed as long as the bone health and periodontal (gum condition) conditions are adequate. Orthodontic treatment that has started with a gum problem and uncontrolled active bone can lead to short-term tooth loss and tooth fall.
When are aligners not recommended for children?
When planning treatments, special care is taken with adult patients, as there are certain movements that we know can be very harmful, especially in patients who have lost bone naturally or have gum problems as a result of aging.
For these reasons, the director of the orthodontic department of the Ciro clinic comments on the importance of working with a highly qualified multidisciplinary team.
What are the phases of treatment?
The making of the braces begins with a photographic study and a digital scan of the patient’s mouth. Subsequently, an exhaustive diagnosis and personalized programming is carried out by orthodontists in order to be able to move the teeth virtually (3D). In this way, the desired final result can be obtained.
Clear braces must be worn 22 hours a day for one week. Each week the braces will be changed and so on until the end of the treatment. If a week is skipped, the patient can make it up by postponing the entire sequence of appliance changes. And, during orthodontic treatment, the patient should visit the dentist every one and a half to two months.
As during any orthodontic treatment, oral care should always be more thorough. Therefore, it is recommended:
- Do not place braces with food debris on the teeth, without prior brushing.
- Avoid sugary drinks, as well as any type of food with the appliance in place.
- Do not smoke with the appliance in your mouth, as the material absorbs a lot of nicotine and stains plastics.
Everything else is 100 × 100 compatible with this type of transparent system, including sports.
What advantages does it offer and does it have any disadvantages for children?
The great advantage of invisible orthodontics in relation to conventional multibracket appliances is that, being removable, they can be put in and taken out without difficulty, the esthetic result is very good and does not alter speech.
On the other hand, being made of plastic, we avoid the typical pain of conventional appliances and chafing.
At the Ciro dental clinic, Dr. Silvia Jiménez, a specialist in this type of system, explains that, within the invisible orthodontic system, the limitations for treating any malocclusion with this type of appliance are minimal.
What guidelines should children follow in their daily lives?
It is important for patients to be aware that teeth are living beings that have memory and sometimes tend to recur. Therefore, Ciro emphasizes that retention is part of daily life and orthodontic treatment, being equally or even more important than the treatment itself.
A good practice for the daily life of patients undergoing this type of treatment is to sleep with one upper and one lower retainer for at least the first five years after orthodontic treatment, in infancy, until the bone has completed its ossification.
In adulthood, as the bone is already ossified, the tendency to relapse is always greater than in infancy. This means that the patient should sleep with a retention appliance for as many years as possible.
Sleeping with an appliance that protects the tooth will always prevent the patient from wearing down the enamel. If the patient tends to clench his teeth too much, it is recommended that he sleeps with an unloading splint, which serves as a retainer and prevents the facial musculature from contracting so much.