Orthodontics is not only about aligning teeth for better aesthetics, but also and above all about restoring correct occlusion, which is indispensable for eating and digesting better but also for avoiding cervical problems and headaches.
Orthodontics is a particular branch of dentistry that studies various anomalies in the development and position of teeth and jaw bones. Practiced exclusively by orthodontic specialists, it aims to prevent, alleviate, or eliminate these anomalies by maintaining or restoring the chewing organs and facial profile in the most correct position possible.
Orthodontic practice basically consists of two types of therapy that can also be consequential.
Mobile orthodontics
It is performed with removable devices of various shapes, which can be easily removed by the patient. Mobile orthodontics is often the first phase of treatment and is used to widen or narrow the palate, to correct the bite or as a restraint. Sometimes it is necessary to extract those teeth that obstruct the alignment and articulation of others or the correct dento-facial position.
Fixed orthodontics
It is implemented through the design and application of different types of appliances:
- Active appliances: they act directly with their force when activated (e.g. appliances with screws, arches, springs, etc.).
- Passive appliances: exploit masticatory forces while being inactive in themselves (e.g. vestibular plate, inclined plane, etc.).
Invisalign (invisible aligner)
The transparent alternative to traditional fixed braces. It is an innovative technique, but one that is already well established through many years of use. Discover Invisalign >
Pre-prosthetic orthodontics
This is a treatment that makes it easier to provide prostheses for teeth that are not properly aligned. Following this treatment, which is usually quick and easy, it will be much easier to build a bridge or place an implant.
Orthodontic surgery
In the most complex cases, when simple fixed orthodontic treatment is not sufficient, orthognathic surgery is performed to restore the facial bones (maxillary bone and mandible) to the correct ratios.
Before this, however, fixed orthodontic pre-surgical therapy is always necessary, which aligns the teeth in relation to the displacement that the bone structures will undergo.
Orthognathic surgery is also indicated to solve other pathologies such as: Open bite (inability to close the teeth), small jaw and backward chin, prognathism with reverse bite, ‘sleep apnoea’ and all breathing difficulties during sleep and snoring produced by a small or retroposed jaw, facial and mandibular asymmetries, inability to close the lips without effort, difficulty biting and chewing, difficulty swallowing and speaking, chronic jaw pain and headaches.
