What is Orthodontics?
There’s another aspect of having straight teeth that’s a major benefit: confidence! Our appearance is intrinsically linked to our self-esteem. When we have a beautiful, straight smile, our self-esteem, our self-image, and self-confidence are greatly enhanced. These are important at all ages, but these traits are also essential when we are growing up.
There are many other wonderful benefits to undergoing orthodontic treatment.
In addition to its life-improving effects, having your teeth aligned and straightened can also help you ward off the effects of tooth decay, injury, and gum disease. This is because straighter teeth collect less plaque which is the cause of gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque is typically a thin film that coats the teeth and causes damage to the enamel.
The duration of traditional orthodontic treatment can vary, but typically, you can expect to have your orthodontics from 1-3 years. This will be greatly dependent on the growth of the teeth in the patient’s mouth, the growth of the face, and the severity of the dental problem.
Children and adult patients have different rates of tooth movement. As a result of this, the time needed for orthodontic treatments is going to vary on a case-by-case basis.
Effectively, there is no “perfect” age for orthodontic treatments, but problems are easier to treat and correct at earlier ages. This is because jaw growth tends to slow around age seven when the first permanent molars and incisors have started to come in. If caught at an early stage, most orthodontic patients can avoid extensive surgery and complications.
While it’s great for a child to receive early orthodontic treatment, adults braces are always a good option when needed. As a matter of fact, more than 20 percent of new orthodontic cases in the Philippines are adults. Additionally, there are adult-friendly treatments that can ensure a quick turnaround without much in the way of professional inconvenience.
Most adults prefer clear braces because it blends in with the color of their teeth. In terms of aesthetics, it’s similar to clear aligners as ceramic brackets are much less visible with the wires being white as well. At Cosmo Dental, we uses the highest-grade porcelain brackets in the industry so that they are extremely small, do not stain, and are not prone to breaking or chipping when they are removed. Their size allows them to have minimal contact with the soft tissues in your mouth so that you can wear them comfortably.
Traditional metal brackets have come a long way in recent years with custom-designed steel brackets that apply gentle forces to correct your bite and straighten your teeth. Made of high-grade stainless steel, these brackets are also attached to the front of your teeth. Though highly-visible, they are relatively small. The strength and durability of metal brackets are needed for surgical orthodontics to withstand the pressure of high forces applied during surgery.
Clear aligners have completely revolutionized teeth alignment. Now these invisible aligners can be easily installed and removed. The aligners are crafted using top of the line 3D scanner technology, premium orthodontic softwares and high precision 3D printers. These aligners are a product of cutting edge dental research and superior raw materials for a perfect fit.
K line aligners are weightless and invisible tooth correctors which are manufactured individually so that they offer a perfect fit. With the use of our 3D treatment plan, the patients can look at the final results even before the treatment starts. K line aligners correct the tooth alignment through gentle pressure which results in the teeth moving to the desired position gradually. This makes the whole treatment a non-invasive and a lot less painful than wired braces.
Click here to go to K-Line website for more information.
Retainers are devices that hold the teeth in place after active orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign. They are traditionally formed with wires, but are now also available as a clear aligner.
Yes, everyone should wear dental retainers after Orthodontic treatment in order to maintain the position of their teeth. Recent research involving 3D facial scans has shown that aging causes the bones of the face to move forward and downward due to gravity. This movement of the jaw bone will cause your teeth to shift since they are embedded in your jaw. As a result, to keep your teeth straight, it is necessary to have a set of retainers that you wear periodically throughout your life.
There are periodontal fibers that hold your teeth within your bone which require 6 months to fully stabilize around the new position of your teeth. Hence, you need to wear your retainers for months full time after Orthodontic treatment.
There are two types of removable retainers. Clear Essix retainers are removable and almost invisible when you are wearing them. They are very similar to Invisalign clear aligners. They are thin and fitted to your teeth, so that they are comfortable to wear and will keep your teeth in the position. Hawley retainers have a metal wire in the front of your teeth that makes it adjustable so in case your teeth shifts a little, a slight adjustment with the wire could bring your teeth back into position. The Hawley retainers are more durable and will last longer than Essix retainers but adult patients find it difficult to wear the Hawley retainers full time during the first 6 months because of the visibility of the wire.
A bonded lingual retainer is a metal wire attached to the back of your teeth. The advantage of the bonded retainers is that you do not have to worry about taking your retainers in and out or forget about wearing them. However, you may find it very difficult to floss with a bonded retainer and so tartar and plaque can build up easily which can lead to cavities and gum disease.
At COSMO DENTAL, led by Dr. Segui and her skilled team, we provide expert dental care in a warm and welcoming environment.
With clinics in Quezon City and Makati, we offer a full range of services—from routine check-ups and preventive care to advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments.
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