Orthodontics - Dr. Orlando Oio

The orthodontist will clearly explain the treatment that will be pursued and detail any possible side-effects, limitations, risks and the results that can be obtained, given that, in some cases, achieving the perfect occlusion can be complicated.

Similarly, the patient must be aware that once the treatment has finished, he/she will have to use a retention brace which is inserted when the brackets are removed.

“There is no point spending a long time in braces to then fail to use the retention system. Teeth tend to move naturally in all people due to natural forces that influence their position such as the lip muscles, the tongue, the cheeks, mastication, etc."

If the lips are very strong, the teeth crowd together, on the other hand if the tongue pushes against the teeth too much, the teeth separate.

By not having enough room to erupt, the wisdom teeth push other teeth forward, and the simple fact of mastication creates an anterior force, component given that the lower teeth are located upon the jaw which is like a forward-inclining plane and when chewing the teeth have a tendency to move forwards, which normally provokes a slight overcrowding in the lower anterior teeth.

The final decision as to whether to undergo treatment or not is in the hands of the patient, as their degree of cooperation with the orthodontist.

“A more important aspect than generally believed, as the patient must follow the professional’s instructions to the letter and always maintain rigorous oral hygiene and avoid foods such as sweets or sunflower seeds and attend the regular revisions as stipulated.”

Orthodontic treatment in adults tends to be longer than in children. “Its duration is estimated to be between 30 and 60% longer, depending on the intensity of the problem”, as the forces applied by the braces are gentler and the movements slower. In addition, the changes produced in the musculature and the joints provoke more alterations in adults than in children, who have a greater facility to adapt to them.

Given that the bones of adults do not grow like those of children, in specific cases it may be necessary to combine orthodontics with surgery, even if there are teeth missing. Normally, orthodontics in adults is carried out with the ultimate objective of inserting a prosthesis. It is necessary to first correct the position of the teeth, to then be able to insert the bridge or implant that will replace the missing teeth.

"Before beginning the treatment, it is advisable to sanitise the mouth"

Before beginning the treatment, it is advisable to sanitise the mouth, extracting teeth in poor condition, and carrying out a strict examination, during which the professional checks that the gums are in good condition, and that there is no risk of suffering other ailments. If a tooth needs to be extracted or if there is doubt about whether to perform root canal treatment (removing the nerve) or a restoration such as a filling, cap or bridge, it is advisable to first carry out the orthodontic study to check that the teeth are so they restored will not be extracted in the course of the orthodontic treatment.

In any event, nowadays teeth are very rarely extracted as modern braces enable us to resolve the majority of cases without extractions.