From the orthodontist to the patient

Contemporary treatment methods in orthodontics make it possible to treat a wide variety of dental alignment and bite disorders. Orthodontic appliances can be used to shift teeth in any plane.

The treatment plan is based on the external appearance of the patient’s face and the shape of the dental arches in order to achieve the best result for everyone.

With orthodontic treatment, it is also possible to realign teeth that have deviated from the dental arch due to gum diseases.

When is the right time to visit an orthodontist?

It is recommended to bring a child for their first orthodontic consultation around the age of six or seven. The treatment of bite problems starts in preschool children in rare cases, but it is important to not delay treatment, because sometimes issues need to be addressed early in childhood using complex orthodontic appliances.

Crooked teeth can generally only be corrected later after most of the permanent teeth have erupted. In certain cases, the treatment of some children needs to be carried out in stages, for example, early dental arch expansion treatment may be followed by treatment with braces later, after the permanent teeth have erupted.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is often started at the age of 7 to 8 once all permanent teeth have erupted. This age is the best for guiding the growth of the jawbones for various bite disorders. While adolescence is typically the optimal time for treatment, orthodontic care can be undertaken at almost any age. Treatment becomes more complicated if several teeth are missing and the tissues around the teeth are inflamed.

Before orthodontic treatment, all cavities and inflammations in the mouth must be treated and tartar must be removed.

In complex cases, when the positions of the jawbones are severly deviated from each other, orthodontic treatment alone may not be enough. These cases are resolved in cooperation with a maxillofacial surgeon who, after almost a year of treatment with braces, performs an operation to achieve a normal alignment of the jawbones.

At the first appointment

The orthodontist assesses the patient’s need for treatment and roughly determines the right time to start treatment. This assessment involves creating models of the bite, taking X-rays, and photos. In certain cases, such as when space needs to be made for other teeth or to close gaps in the front teeth, the orthodontist may recommend extracting one or more teeth.

An orthodontist is able to detect the incorrect positions of the child’s teeth and the bad habits that caused them, such as sucking on the thumb, constantly eating with one side of the mouth or pushing the lower jaw forward, etc. It is wise to trust their advice when choosing the right treatment because based on their knowledge and experience, they can choose the best solution for each specific treatment case to achieve the requested result.

Duration of treatment with braces and maintaining the result

Depending on the complexity of the problem, orthodontic treatment with braces can last anywhere from one year to several years, with more severe alignment issues sometimes requiring three to four years. The duration of the treatment often depends on the regularity of the visits and the cooperation between the doctor and the patient. Treatment with braces is stopped when the desired treatment result is achieved.

After the braces are removed, the patient must wear the intended device (retainer) for the period determined by the orthodontist (6–12 months) in order to maintain the treatment result.

In most cases, the retainer must be worn continuously for a few months immediately after removing the braces, and then only at night. In some patients, a wire attached behind the teeth is additionally used, replacing the need to wear the retainer during the day. The night retainer should continue to be worn until the time prescribed by the orthodontist.