Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics in Torre del Mar and Vélez-Málaga
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is responsible for correcting defects and irregularities in the position of the teeth and dentomaxillofacial structures.
What does orthodontic treatment in Torre del Mar consist of?
Although there are several types of orthodontics, they all have the same mission: to apply force, in a measured, prolonged and controlled way, to achieve a permanent displacement of the teeth towards a more aesthetic and functional position.
Orthodontic treatments can be the following:
Interceptive: Interceptive orthodontic treatments are performed when the child is still with the primary dentition (or in the course of renewal). In these situations they are used to solve malocclusions (misalignment of the teeth or inability to fit the upper and lower teeth).
Corrective: This orthodontic treatment is carried out when the previous treatment has not been carried out or it was not efficient enough to avoid the malocclusion. It is recommended to start this treatment at an age between 10 and 12 years of age, since it can take between a year and a half and three years to be completed.
Fixed: This orthodontic treatment is one of the most important, since it allows each and every one of the teeth to slide individually towards any space trajectory.
Traditional Orthodontics
Focusing on fixed orthodontics, we can find different types of appliances. Depending on the type of orthodontics we will have some “pros and cons” to evaluate when making our choice.
First of all, we will refer to the brackets, pieces made of metal that support the arch (wire) that causes tooth slippage.
As an alternative to the latter, we have the aesthetic brackets which, despite having the same function, are usually more in demand for purely aesthetic reasons (they look much less than the totally metallic ones).
There are different types of aesthetic brackets that are classified based on the material from which they are made. At Clínica Dental Herrera, Dr. Román bets on ceramic brackets that imitate the color of the tooth. Unlike other aesthetic brackets, they are completely ceramic, with no visible metal parts.
It is also worth highlighting the Damon Clear™ or Clarity SL ™ self-ligating brackets that shorten treatment time as they combine the advantages of aesthetic brackets with the low-friction advantages of self-ligating brackets.
These types of treatments that we have just mentioned are usually highly recommended for adolescents and adults for whom concern about personal image usually plays a determining role when deciding whether or not to undergo treatment.
Invisible orthodontics (Invisalign)
Despite the aesthetic bracket treatments that we have mentioned, at Clínica Dental Herrera our commitment to invisible orthodontics in Malaga comes from the Invisalign® technique, the latest method to appear on the market that has brought about a significant change in the organization and development of this type of treatment.
Dr. Manuel Román, head of orthodontics at Clínica Dental Herrera, is a member of the Invisalign Advantage Elite Group, and holder of the Invisalign Diamond (highest national and international recognition in this type of orthodontics). He has also been training doctors who use this technique in their clinics.
Invisalign® is a new system used to align teeth and improve the smile. It works with a series of custom-made, transparent and removable aligners that will have to be changed every 15 days.
Each aligner is slightly different from the previous one so that the teeth move little by little and thus be able to reach the desired position.
The aligners must be worn all day, except to eat and brush your teeth, which makes it easier for us to have adequate hygiene.
Why Invisalign?
The main advantage provided by this system is aesthetics. These are practically invisible aligners and also removable (they can be removed and put back on).
Although, as we have mentioned before, they must be worn all day except for eating and brushing teeth, they can be removed whenever desired (weddings, special events, meetings, etc.). This allows our life not to be affected by being subjected to orthodontic treatment (we can play sports without risk of injury from blows) and we can eat and drink normally.
Aligners apply very light and controlled forces. This implies greater comfort so that we practically do not notice anything.
Another clear advantage that this treatment presents is the few visits that we will make to the orthodontist, because, if everything goes well, we will only have to go every two or three months for a check-up. This is so because when we go to the Clinic we are given a certain number of aligners that allows us to space the appointments according to the needs. Thus, at Clínica Dental Herrera there are several patients from outside the province and even from outside the country who are undergoing Invisalign treatment with us.
How is Invisalign treatment carried out?
To start with Invisalign orthodontic treatment, the first thing that will be done in the Clinic is an orthodontic study in which doctors Manuel Román or Clara Rodríguez will explain what our initial situation is and what the possible treatment alternatives are.
If we opt for Invisalign orthodontic treatment, they will do an oral scan as well as a photo session to record the starting point of the treatment.
On our next visit, we will be shown, using 3D technology, a video-prospecting of what the treatment is going to be, as well as its final result thanks to the Clinckcheck software.
Lingual Orthodontics
Lingual orthodontics is also known as unknown orthodontics.
This orthodontics is very similar to conventional orthodontics, except for the fact that the brackets are thinner and are installed in the back area of the teeth, in such a way that they cannot be seen from the outside.
Although it can be done with generalized materials, it is very common for brackets and appliances to be designed to the personal measure of each patient using a 3D computer program.
It can be pointed out that in lingual orthodontics, although the objective of bracket designs is to achieve a very fine size and that they do not bother at all, it generally requires an adaptation stage that usually lasts between 15 and 20 days.
This system cannot be removed by patients, but it allows them to avoid the damage that conventional orthodontic appliances usually cause to the enamel of the front area of the teeth, such as decalcification or stains.
low friction orthodontics
The low-friction orthodontic method or treatment is based on a technique that works under the least friction or friction between the arch of the appliance and the bracket, thus making the movement more physiological and faster.
Today, due to the implementation of low-friction dental methods, patients are getting shorter treatment time in the orthodontist’s chair.
Thanks to this, we can emphasize that orthodontic treatment is very useful for the aesthetic problems that we may have in our teeth. However, orthodontics can also help solve problems found in the bite, teeth, and even the jaw that, in the long run, will bring many physical and internal problems.