Orthodontics

Dental Crowding/Crooked Teeth are difficult to clean and maintain.
A wrong bite (the way the upper and lower jaws fit into each other) can cause abnormal dental wear,
difficulties to chew or speak, pain in the temporomandibular joints, etc.
Without treatment these problems will get worse over time and may require additional treatment.

It’s variable, depending on many factors, including the severity of cases, type of braces used and duration of
treatment. After the initial assessment and a treatment plan including predictable duration and costs of the
treatment will be given to you.

In adults and in some cases yes, we can straighten Dental Crowding/Crooked Teeth, spaced teeth in just one
month with Dental Veneers.

If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your smile then any age is right to see an Orthodontist.
As for children they can have their first visit to an Orthodontist from the age 7 onwards.

For a parent it is difficult to determine whether or not Orthodontic treatment is necessary because there are a
lot of cases that, despite front teeth are apparently straight, will need treatment. On the other hand, cases
that might seem complicated to a parent and needing braces, end up solving for themselves and not needing
treatment.

Around the age 7 a child should be seen by an orthodontist who is going to control the growth of the jaws
and the position of teeth in order to check if it will be necessary to do any kind of treatment in the future.
Children that have indication for orthodontic treatment will start between the age of nine and 14.

Yes, some Orthodontic problems require an early intervention. If it’s not the case then the Orthodontist will
follow the child and initiate treatment when it’s convenient.

That obviously depends on a number of factors that include the severity of the case and the method used.
Today we have the Damon System that shortens this time. Generally speaking an orthodontic treatment lasts
between 12 and 30 months, varying with the complexity of the cases and the patient’s expectations.

Phase 1 or interceptive treatment

Aim at detecting and treating mild to severe orthodontics alterations in younger patients, creating a more
favorable ground for the second phase of treatment.
Taking advantage of the rapid growth of younger ages to transform a potential difficult problem into an easier
one to treat (for example eliminating the need of tooth extractions or even surgery and shortening the
duration of treatment in phase 2).
This phase usually starts around ages eight or nine.

Phase 2

Starts when all permanent teeth have erupted and lasts around 18 months.

Treatment has evolved a lot in the last years and new technologies allow us to use weaker forces to move
teeth faster. You can expect a slight sensitivity of teeth for some days after placing the braces and after each
adjustment (this sensitivity can be dealt with a regular painkiller like paracetamol).

Today brackets are smaller, more comfortable and use the technology that reduces discomfort.

It is advisable to wear either removable or fix containers to maintain your teeth in place after treatment.
Teeth have memory and without this measure they can move towards the additional position.

Absolutely, you should have an annual checkup with your dentist and see the dental hygienist at least twice a
year.

Brush your teeth after each meal with toothpaste containing fluorine and use some kind of interdental
cleaning device at least once a day. During treatment you should avoid food with a lot of sugar.

A Dentist is similar to a general practitioner and an Orthodontist is a specialist that has extra postgraduate
training of two or three years within this area and so he’s the correct professional to choose and carry out the
best treatment plan for you.