Orthodontic treatment

Consultation with an orthodontist should be carried out as early as possible. During the first year of an infant’s life, signs of congenital pathology, abnormalities of dental solid tissues and corresponding complications in tooth-maxillary system formation can be revealed. In order to ensure correct dental development and proper temporomandibular joint functions, a dentist selects special orthopaedic devices, e.g. vestibular plates, for a child.

 

Teeth fitting and occlusion correction can also be done in adult age. The treatment methods would somewhat differ from pediatric orthodontics. For the present, the use of bracket systems presents the most popular method.

 

The word "bracket" was adopted by Russian language from English. The main element of the system is the bracket itself, representing a construction bearing PC-created information on where a specific tooth should be situated in the ideal model. A set of brackets is composed of 20 pieces, of which 10 brackets are attached (using photopolymer material) to upper teeth, and another 10 brackets – to lower teeth.

 

The second element, an arc, is made of special titanium-nickel alloy, possessing the effect of shape memory: no matter how it is bent, it tends to reach its initial shape. The arc is given the ideal dentition shape.

 

The arcs can be different in diameter, section and tensile strength. The treatment starts with the weakest ones and concludes with the densest ones.

 

The last detail is ligature (a metal wire or a rubber ring, connecting the arc with the bracket). It is used to hold the arc in the bracket slot.

 

The brackets are made of stainless steel, titanium, monocrystal, composite, ceramics, special fiberglass and even gold. There are brackets made of artificial sapphire – they are transparent and almost invisible on teeth, they are more securely fastened, but they are more fragile.

 

The required duration for wearing the bracket is individually determined in each case by a dentist-orthodontist.