FAQ
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry dedicated to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial malformations. Fixed or removable appliances are used to correct these problems.
When should I bring my child to the orthodontist for a first visit?
The Italian and American Association of Orthodontics recommend a first visit between six and seven years. At this age, the permanent teeth are beginning to erupt and bone structures still have significant remaining growth. Problems associated with teeth and bone structures are much easier to correct when they are diagnosed at this age. Early interceptive treatment greatly simplifies any future treatment.
Why should I straighten my teeth?
“Crooked” Teeth make your smile less pleasant. This can cause problems with chewing and digestion, which are negative for health. Malpositioned teeth can trap food particles and then causing decalcification of teeth and gingiva disease.
How do brackets and wires straighten “crooked” teeth?
Brackets and wires carry a light and continue pressure over time to move teeth into their correct position. It seems that they don’t work that much when simply applied on the teeth, but in reality any time during orthodontic treatment something happens in your mouth. The self-ligating brackets that we apply on your teeth and the wire that holds them together represent the two main components. This type of orthodontic bracket allows us to use extremely light and continuous forces. We use wire at different section, shape and metallurgical properties, shaped to move the teeth up to get the ideal occlusion relationship for a proper chewing.
Up to what age can orthodontic treatment start?
If the gingival tissue and bone structures around the teeth are healthy, age is not a factor. About 30% of orthodontic patients are adults. Healthy teeth and bone bases in 50-60 years old people can be moved in the same way as bone bases of teeth in children and adolescents.
What kind of infections can occur when I carry brackets?
Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of gingival infection and caries.
Is there a greater relapse (return to the starting position of the teeth) when brackets are applied during young age?
a. No, the teeth usually relapse less from the new position obtained with the orthodontic treatment if treatment is started at the appropriate time; moreover, certain types of tooth movements require more time to the fibers of the ligament that holds the tooth in the tooth socket to adapt to the new location. b. The orthopaedic modifications related to the growth of bone bases are greater at a young age because poor muscle function is associated with a skeletal malocclusion. c. an early treatment is generally called “phase 1” of treatment and usually lasts 12 to 18 months. A second phase of treatment may be necessary to complete the alignment of the remaining permanent teeth appeared in the meantime.
What can you eat while using the fixed appliance?
You can eat any kind of food, but remember that hard foods can cause breakage of brakets and bend wires. Avoid ice cubes, nougat, pizza crusts, hard raw vegetables, peach pits. The basic rule is trying to avoid chewing with “tugs” outward.
How often do orthodontic check-ups take place?
Usually they are every 4-5 weeks.
Does the oral hygiene change with fixed appliance?
Brush your teeth three times a day for at least three minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s also recommended a fluoride rinse to ensure the breath is always fresh. If you want, you can use electric toothbrushes if you don’t get a good brushing. Use an orthodontic toothbrush with medium bristles, moving the bristles behind brackets and wires, so that their ends touch the surface of teeth, then make some vibratory movements moving the brush with small movements.
How long should I keep the orthodontic appliance?
It depends: in certain situations a year, otherwise two years. That’s why an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is very important.
Can brackets lead to cuts in your mouth?
Brackets don’t cause cuts, unless you receive punches on your face. When brackets are applied, as they are a foreign object placed between your lips and your teeth, they can create a slight initial discomfort, then you gets used to it and it becomes normal.
Can orthodontic brackets damage the enamel of teeth?
No. They are applied with fluoride-releasing composites. When they are removed, the residue of composite is removed with specific drills created especially to avoid damaging tooth enamel.
What is a retention appliance?
It’s a device used to keep teeth in the final position after the fixed appliance is removed. Removable appliances can be used or in some situations fixed, represented by a wire glued on the inside surface of your teeth. This is a permanent retainer.
Is the application of the fixed appliance painful?
No, you can feel a slight sense of numbness for 24-48 hours after application of the brackets due to putting into action cells responsible for moving your teeth. This possible discomfort can be controlled by taking an aspirin.
What should I avoid doing during orthodontic treatment?
Putting pen or pencil in your mouth, avoiding or reducing coffee or tea (this may cause darkening of teeth for the filing of caffeine on the enamel), chewing hard tugging out.
Should I use mouthwashes during orthodontic treatment?
A careful oral hygiene after each meal with a toothbrush and toothpaste may be sufficient. The toothbrush has a life; when the bristles are bent too much, you should use a new orthodontic brush. Fluoride mouthwashes can be also used. They represent a further cleaning but do not replace the use of toothbrush and toothpaste.
What should I do if ulcers and small blisters appear in the mouth during orthodontic treatment?
The appearance of sores or small blisters is not necessarily linked to the presence of the device. It’s often linked to poor oral hygiene, vitamin deficiencies or liver problems. If mouth ulcers are caused by the rubbing due to the contact (especially during the first days after application of fixed brackets when the patient tends to “search for” the device with the lips), you can use products such as diskettes or ointments allowing healing and subsequent disappearance of the sores.
What does fixed retention mean?
It’s a type of orthodontic retention which can be used at the end of orthodontic treatment. It consists of a thin metal wire bonded on the lingual surface of the teeth, usually from canine to canine. This type of retention is suggested especially in cases where the patient can’t ensure cooperation in the use of a removable retainer.
What is the stripping?
It’s a remodeling procedure of tooth crowns. We perform it, when necessary, with oscillating or rotating tools mounted on micro-engines and/or turbines always under irrigation. The stripping is suggested if it’s aimed to recover space for teeth, combined with orthodontic expansion especially in borderline cases as an alternative to extractive treatments. Another indication is for aesthetic reasons, especially in adult patients, when they have the appearance of “black triangles” between the front teeth in the frontal sector, often associated with a gingival retraction and a reduction in the area of contact between the teeth. In these cases, the stripping can rebalance the dental architecture in the anterior teeth. Stripping has quantity limits related to the anatomy of individual teeth.
What is the Invisalign orthodontic appliance ?
It’s an orthodontic treatment based on the use of a set of clear aligners created from a virtual 3D simulation. This 3D simulation is performed on the basis of a treatment plan made by Dr. Garino for the correction of the malocclusion. This treatment plan is performed based on the analysis of photographs, radiographs and intraoral scanning made during the first visit. The virtual simulation allows you to see how many aligners will be needed to resolve the malocclusion. Not all malocclusions can be treated with this type of appliance; you need a differential diagnosis and screening made by the orthodontist.
What should I do if I have a wire with piercing end?
If a wire in one of its end causes discomfort, the first thing to do is applying the wax you have in your orthodontic oral hygiene kit, according to given instructions. If you have an appointment in the short and the discomfort is bearable, you can wait for an appointment, but we always suggest you to call the office and set an emergency appointment. However, if you are unable to come to the office, you can cut the wire with clippers and remove it carefully.
What should I do if a bracket comes off?
Call the office. Depending on where and when the attachment came off, you’ll be offered either an emergency appointment or to keep the existing appointment.
How much does an Invisalign treatment cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of treatment. It can be from 3.500 to 6.000