The sooner you start orthodontic therapy, the more effective it will be. Treatment of various dentoalveolar defects and malocclusion is an important task that pediatric dentistry sets itself in the first place. Braces are considered the most popular treatment option for incisor anomalies. Many parents are interested in what this therapy is, how effective it is. Concerns about these issues are understandable. Crooked teeth are a serious enough problem that can make life difficult in the future.
General information
Children's braces are a very thoughtful system, the main function of which is assigned to only one of its parts - the arch. It is made of metal with a memory effect. During the installation of braces, this arc is constantly distorted, but it always tends to return to its original position. Along with it, the teeth move. The initial shape of the arch exactly repeats the ideal shape of the patient's teeth. Locks perform only a fastening function, practically without affecting the course of treatment.
Many believe that it is too late to treat an overbite in adulthood. Experts are horrified by such statements. It's never too late to treat your teeth, butIt is much easier for children to do this. From 12 to 20 years, the human jaw still continues its formation. The teeth are very malleable, it is easy for them to change their position and direction of growth. Therefore, the treatment of malocclusion in childhood is much faster.
It should be noted that the starting age is 12 years old. Until this period, the development of the jaw system is at its peak. Even children's braces can disrupt the natural process and lead to unwanted consequences. If you install brackets very early, you can be left without teeth at all. Twelve years is a relative period. The timing of the final formation of the jaw varies from child to child. The orthodontist must carefully examine the oral cavity, take several x-rays, and only then decide whether to put braces on the teeth. A gentle approach and a quick result are the only advantages of treating malocclusion in children.
Which braces to choose?
According to statistics, about 40% of adolescents and 30% of children have various jaw anomalies. Such problems in most cases lead to poor he alth in the future. They can manifest themselves in the form of periodontal disease, diseases of the temporomandibular joints, etc. Children's braces do not fundamentally differ from adults. Conventionally, they can be divided into two categories:
- vestibular (installed on the outer surface of the tooth);
- lingual (installed from the inside).
A doctor can help with the choice of a specific option and answer all your questions atconsultations. After examining the oral cavity, the specialist will also tell you how the braces will affect the teeth. Photos of patients before and after, as a rule, are available in all medical offices.
Types of braces
With the development of orthodontics, various variations of bracket systems have appeared. They can be used to treat both children and adults. The designs are divided into several categories, where the determining factor is: the type of locks, their location, the material of manufacture.
- Vestibular and lingual braces. As noted earlier, these systems differ in the installation location. Lingual braces are considered the most thoughtful and perfect tool for correcting anomalies in the growth of teeth. They are invisible to others, so they are often called invisible. Wearing a similar design is much easier for the child. The only drawback is the high cost.
- Ligature and self-adjusting braces. This type of division is rarely used in practice. Today, self-adjusting children's braces are increasingly used. This design does not use ligatures (elastic parts). The locks are designed in such a way that they relax a little when overloaded. As a result, the pressure does not spread to one area, but is evenly distributed over the entire arc. The only downside to self-adjusting braces is the frequent trips to the dentist.
- Metal, ceramic and sapphire braces. Another criterion for the division of dental structures is the material of manufacture. Everyoneit is more common to see metal braces, but today ceramic options are gaining more and more popularity. They are invisible on the teeth. Sapphire braces are also difficult to distinguish. They are very durable and low maintenance. The only drawback of the design is the high cost.
Installation of children's braces
First of all, it should be noted that this is a very complex structure. It consists of brackets that are attached separately to each tooth and are interconnected by wire. As the anomalies are corrected, the doctor adjusts the wire tension. Therefore, the child should be taken to the dentist about once a month for a check-up. Braces should be worn around the clock.
How is the adaptation after installation
Any orthodontic system is a foreign subject for the oral cavity. For the first few days, it can cause a lot of inconvenience, from difficulty speaking to discomfort while brushing your teeth. It's really stressful, but it can be de alt with. Parents should explain to the child that all the discomfort will soon pass, and the smile will become beautiful. If the design details rub the cheek or lips, you can use a special wax. It is impossible to know exactly how long it will take to adapt. In each case, this process is individual.
Post Installation Care
Any orthodontic design complicates hygiene procedures. After installing the braces, children shouldtake care of the oral cavity twice as hard as usual. Due to poor hygiene, caries can form on the teeth. To cure it, you need to remove the entire structure, then put the braces on your teeth again. Naturally, such a procedure is paid additionally. To avoid unnecessary costs, dentists recommend following fairly simple rules:
- brush your teeth after meals with a special orthodontic brush;
- carefully rinse all parts of the bracket system;
- clean out plaque between teeth with a floss or a special brush;
- use mouthwash.
Some children require parental guidance to follow these guidelines. Moms and dads should explain the need for proper oral hygiene and the possible consequences.
Save results
After removing the structure, the teeth will "try" to take their original place. To prevent recurrence, dentists recommend installing special retainers. This is a plastic cap with a metal arc, which can be put on by yourself at night. Sometimes doctors recommend wearing the design during the daytime. A fixed retainer is a metal arch that is installed on the inner surface of the teeth. It is usually attached with dental glue. The retainer must be worn twice as long as braces. A photo of the retainers is presented below.
Cost
Children's bite alignment takes about a year on average. After installing the design of the child, every month it is necessary to show the doctor. After this time, experts recommend wearing retainers for another six months to consolidate the result. Their cost directly depends on the chosen material.
How much does it cost to correct a child's bite? When calculating the price, the doctor is guided by the following parameters:
- cost of bracket system;
- price of fixing the structure;
- consultation and treatment during every visit;
- cost of the fixing stage.
In addition to external factors, the price is affected by the degree of neglect of the deviation. Based on the foregoing, only a doctor can calculate how much it will cost to straighten your teeth with braces. The average cost of installing metal structures varies around 20 thousand rubles. The most expensive option is lingual braces. Their price can reach 100 thousand rubles.
Summarize
Correction of dental defects in young patients is a rather time-consuming and expensive procedure. Bracket systems for children and adults are practically the same, but at the same time, bite correction is much faster. It will take no more than two years to make a child's smile beautiful and attractive. That is why you should not put off a visit to the dentist and, according to indications, install braces on your teeth.
