Orthodontics is the speciality of the odontology aimed at diagnosing, preventing and treating facial and dental positioning irregularities. Its objective is to correct badly positioned teeth, improving the aesthetics of one's smile and providing good chewing function. Orthodontic treatment requires corrective appliances to be worn, to move the teeth, lips and maxillary bones to their correct alignment and thus achieve a perfect facial and functional balance.
The Anitua Dental Clinic has professionals that work with the latest techniques and technologies from time to patient comfort and shorten treatment, bearing in mind the masticatory function and facial aesthetics.
In recent years numerous systems that seek to improve the facial aesthetics of orthodontic patients have been developed, especially in the case of adult patients. The objective is always the same, to make the corrective appliances invisible. Along these lines, the Eduardo Anitua Clinic has the advanced invisible orthodontic correction systems:
Invisalign System
Characteristics of Invisalign appliances
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Customisation: Custom made transparent aligners
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Aesthetics: They are almost invisible made of transparent plastic.
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Comfort: They are removable and fit perfectly with the surface of the teeth, for almost immediate adaptation.
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Hygiene: They do not hinder brushing or the use of dental floss.
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Time: Check-ups are short and spaced out over time.
Invisalign is indicated for people who want invisible orthodontics and do not wish to wear fixed appliances. It is ideal for simple treatments as it does not allow all the dental movements that are habitually achieved with fixed appliances.
Orthognathic surgery
Orthognathic surgery tackles particularly severe cases, providing solutions to severe facial and maxillary malformations due to badly positioned teeth or incorrect bone growth, together with orthodontics. This bad positioning cannot be solved only with orthodontics, as the problem also lies in the bone. A clear example is mandibular prognathism
Generally, this type of problem occurs in the superior maxilla, the mandible or both. The treatment begins with an orthodontic stage prior to surgery to place the teeth in a specific position. This stage lasts 6 to 12 months. Then surgery is performed to mobilise the bone structures affected by osteotomies or bone fractures, until the teeth make occlusal contact and ends with another orthodontic stage to complete the fit of the upper and lower teeth and align them completely.
Anybody can receive orthodontic treatment, both children and adults, as teeth can be moved to their correct position at any time, so there is no age limit. Nevertheless, because correct monitoring of the growth of the maxillary bones is fundamental for good orthodontic treatment, children should have their first check-up at 6 years old.Many orthodontic problems can be treated when treatment begins early (preventive orthodontics). Waiting until the adult teeth come through, or until the bone growth is complete may make the orthodontic treatment more complicated. Nevertheless, we recommend check-ups every time you notice any change in the position of the teeth.
At the Eduardo Anitua Clinic we offer orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery for both adults and children
The majority of orthodontic or malocclusion problems are hereditary. Mandibular, dental and facial irregularities are often inherited (crowded teeth, excess space between the teeth, extra or missing teeth,…).
Non-hereditary irregularities have diverse causes, such as accidents, prolonged use of dummies, thumb-sucking, premature loss of milk teeth, etc.
What is important about hereditary or incurred causes, this type of problem not only affects whether one's teeth are attractive and aligned, but also correct mandibular, facial and functional development of the patient.
Problems that require orthodontics
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Crowding: Teeth can become crowded due to having a small dental arch, excessively large teeth, teeth that do not appear or malocclusions.
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Overbite: This is when the lower front teeth close beneath the upper teeth, and are hidden by them. This dysfunction causes problems with the palate and much discomfort, in addition to the upper teeth wearing more
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Overjet: This occurs when the upper teeth protrude from the arc and normal closing. This can be due to a bad fit of the back teeth or uneven growth of the maxillas. This defect can also be caused by thumb-sucking
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Underjet: This happens when the lower teeth are more prominent than the upper teeth. It is not very frequent but the growth of the jaw must be corrected at an early age
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Spaces between teeth: This can have various causes (missing teeth, excessively small teeth, a very wide dental arch,…). , which can cause problems with the gums.
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Open bite: This occurs when the upper and lower incisors do not touch when biting. This means the back teeth are the ones that exert all the pressure when biting, affecting chewing and the wear of the teeth
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Crossbite: This occurs when the upper teeth fit within the lower teeth when biting. It is very common and is usually treated as it notably affects chewing efficiency.
Orthodontics has no age. The biological process that takes place when we move the teeth during orthodontics is the same in children as it is in adults, so teeth can be moved at 15, 30 or 60 years old.
The visibility of braces is the main reason that holds adults back when considering orthodontic treatment. So treatment with barely visible appliances such as Invisalign is most frequent in the case of adults.
A smile that is compromised by badly positioned teeth can affect personal self-esteem and self-confidence, negatively influencing relationships with others —covering one's mouth when smiling, avoiding photographs, etc.—. Today first impressions are very much based on people's physical appearance, and you mouth and teeth play a very prominent role.
Dental malocclusion or badly positioned teeth can be seen in a very high percentage of the adult population. Orthodontics in adults improve all these problems and, in addition, have a notable rejuvenating effect.
