Braces are often used to correct an overbite. Designs are used for adults and children. But there is an alternative to braces, as not everyone wants to wear a complex orthodontic product for a long time. The types of popular designs are described in the article.
What are braces for?
These are orthodontic fixed braces that align teeth and form a beautiful bite. Designs are used even in advanced cases. In order for the result of such a correction, the products must be correctly installed, taking into account the characteristics of the jaw. They are worn for at least 1 year, but sometimes the period is 2-3 years.
The materials used to make braces are:
- medical steel;
- gold;
- plastic;
- ceramics.
Products are vestibular and lingual. The first type is attached to the front surface of the teeth. Lingual braces are installed on the inside of the dental apparatus.
An alternative to metal braces are non-removable brackets made of sapphire. These braces have no color. Lack of productsa high cost is considered, which is many times more than conventional staples. Lingual braces are just as effective, but they don't stand out.
There are several alternatives to braces that work just as well. But the method of correction should be chosen by the doctor. Before wearing any design, the patient must familiarize himself with the rules of its operation so that the correction has only a positive effect.
When can I not wear braces?
Straightening teeth without the use of braces is not always allowed. Sometimes they are considered the only product that can help. Adults may not use this product in the following cases:
- When you need to correct the position of one or more teeth.
- If you want to eliminate a mild form and minor pathology.
- For the fastest results possible with an alternative to braces.
- When the gums are low, when metal products injure them.
- With a low pain threshold.
- When a patient's work requires a flawless appearance and clear diction.
In any case, consultation with an orthodontist is required. Only a specialist is able to determine the appropriate means of correcting malocclusion.
What does an overbite lead to?
If this anomaly is not corrected in childhood, the pathology of tooth placement will affect the quality of life and lead to complications. Often this is the reason:
- incorrect distribution of the chewing load on the teeth, due to whichthey wear out quickly;
- impossibility to install removable or non-removable prostheses, as they break due to a defect;
- rapid wear of the temporomandibular joint;
- changes in the appearance of the face, oval, symmetry;
- early appearance of wrinkles;
- prone to tartar.
If the malocclusion is complex, then it is more difficult to correct. This leads to big problems. Therefore, it is required to check that the child is examined by an orthodontist and corrects the defect. Can teeth be fixed without braces? This is possible through the following means.
Veneers and Lumineers
How to fix crooked teeth without braces? For this, decorative plates are used, which are more used to mask aesthetic flaws than are considered a full-fledged treatment. But this method is reliable and fast. In just 1 procedure, it will be possible to eliminate many problems of the dentition without pain and unpleasant consequences.
Thanks to a special glue, the dentist fixes the ceramic plates on the enamel. To install veneers, you need a light turning of the teeth, and lumineers are thinner, so they are attached directly. This method is used to hide small gaps between teeth, hide cracks or chips in the enamel, change the shade of a smile, align teeth.
Veneers or lumineers are unable to cope with serious bite problems and dental defects. And the price of this procedure will be quite high. The cost of 1 veneer starts from 10 thousand rubles.rubles, and high-quality material costs 45-50 thousand. Lumineers are even more expensive - from 60 thousand rubles per 1 piece. There is also an additional fee for the doctor's work.
Trainers
This is a great alternative to braces for kids. The therapeutic effect is based on the correction of the work of the muscular apparatus and the stimulation of normal growth and formation of the jaw bones. Therefore, devices are ineffective for adults.
Yet, doctors believe that trainers correct minor bite defects in adults if they do not want to do it with braces. These products are made of polyurethane, they are simulators for the dentoalveolar apparatus. Product benefits include:
- The ability to wear a limited amount of time - at night and a few hours during the day.
- Convenience and comfort in use, no pain or other discomfort.
- Affordability.
Trainers cost less compared to other systems. They cost 5-10 thousand rubles. Designs should be prescribed only by a specialist after an examination of the oral cavity.
Aligners
This is a popular alternative to braces. Aligners are soft, aesthetic, comfortable. They allow you to eliminate the bite defect. They are also called caps. An alternative to this type of braces is effective for adults and children. They are invisible to others, which is another advantage. The most popular brand is Invisalign.
These products are highly durable, reliable,elastic. They are made in the shape of a human jaw. The material is silicone or polyurethane. To achieve the desired effect, you need to order several caps for different stages of correction.
Customized to natural teeth for a snug fit and comfortable wear. Since the material is transparent, the products are not visible. The impact from the aligners is gentle, so the person does not feel uncomfortable.
Earlier, products made it possible to correct minor pathologies of the jaw. But gradually they began to produce high-quality designs that solve the problem:
- tooth crowding;
- gap between teeth;
- distal, cross and other types of bite.
For adult patients, designs are chosen only with discipline and responsibility. You can remove them only for the period of eating and hygiene. The price of this treatment is 100-150 thousand rubles, but it depends on the number of caps used during the correction and the duration of their use.
Surgery
How else can you fix your teeth without braces? Correction surgery is an expensive and effective method. This radical method is used for:
- correction of curvature of facial features due to severe pathology;
- eliminate the genetic species problem;
- correction of irregular chin shape;
- get rid of difficult cases of open bite;
- correction of facial asymmetry after injuries.
The cost of this correction method is quite high - 300-400 thousand rubles. But the effectiveness is much higher compared to other treatments.
Exercise
Alignment without braces is allowed with the help of special exercises. Their doctors prescribe using orthodontic structures. But it should be borne in mind that their use cannot be effective as an independent correction method. They are only an auxiliary way.
Composite restoration
This method provides an attractive appearance of teeth without real treatment of curvature of the dentition. It involves applying a composite material to the tooth, which is used in filling. After application, it hardens under the influence of a lamp. With the help of modern technology, the procedure does not take much time.
Composite has a high level of strength. Composite restoration is used to eliminate tooth irregularities, shape anomalies, reduce gaps, and whiten enamel. This method is not applicable for diseases of the oral cavity, malocclusion or nail biting. First, the condition of the oral cavity is assessed. Then the tooth enamel is ground down. A composite is applied to the machined part, it hardens and polishes.
The advantages of methods include:
- high speed - everything is done in about 1 hour;
- natural look and beauty of restored teeth;
- elimination of many defects that appeared from the features of the form;
- avoid chipping of the composite as it is reliable;
- low price.
But the service life is not long - no more than 5 years. The composite is unstable to dyes. The white color is gradually fading. The cost of restoration is affordable - you will have to pay 2-7 thousand rubles for 1 filling.
When are braces needed?
Although the systems have many advantages, it is not possible to completely get rid of bite defects in most cases. Only a doctor is able to assess the situation and decide what is best to use.
Complex defects are corrected only with metal braces, and even ceramic structures are not able to eliminate them. But sometimes they are powerless, so surgery is necessary. It is best to correct an overbite at 9-15 years old.
It takes patience to correct an overbite. Orthodontic treatment is usually not done quickly. The terms of correction are different for everyone, as it depends on the dentoalveolar anomaly, as well as on the type of construction. If braces are chosen, then the treatment is 1.5-2 years. And with aligners, the period is 1-1.5 years. In difficult cases, more time is required.
When choosing a design for correction, the doctor takes into account the patient's preferences, lifestyle, oral condition. Thanks to the variety of orthodontic products, it is possible to correct an overbite at almost any age.
So these are all alternatives to braces. In any case, it is not worth assigning structures on your own. Only a doctor is able to assess the complexity of the problem and selectthe most effective correction method.
