How to correct a malocclusion in an adult: how teeth are straightened in dentistry

Let us pay attention to a problem that is relevant for almost 80% of Russians. Let's figure out how to correct a malocclusion in an adult, because straightening teeth is quite possible not only in childhood. We need to look at the effective ways in which orthodontists make their patients' smiles beautiful and healthy.

We will try to pay maximum attention to the features and differences of the methods so that, if necessary, you can choose the most suitable one for yourself. And be prepared for the fact that the final decision will still have to be made together with the doctor. Because the type of intervention and program of procedures depend on the nature of the pathology, and only a specialist can accurately diagnose its degree and adequately assess the chances of success.

Types of malocclusion

• open - the teeth either do not close at all, or a significant gap is visible between many of them;
• deep – the exact opposite situation, that is, there is an overlap of approximately half the length;
• mesial – the lower jaw, compared to the upper, is moved forward;
• distal – the problem is the opposite of the previous one;
• cross - the right and left sides protrude unevenly, the cutting edges close together.

Other anomalies include:

• diastema - a gap between the front pair of incisors;
• three - noticeable gaps between “neighbors” along the gum;
• twisting - creeping of sixes, fours, fives onto each other;
• transposition - eruption in the wrong places, right up to the palate.

Any of them is not just inconvenient or bad from an aesthetic point of view, but can also provoke the emergence and development of a number of diseases. It develops against the background of genetic abnormalities and heredity, appears due to injuries and loss of bone tissue.

Massage for teeth straightening

Massage of the gums and palate is one of the most painless methods of comprehensive correction of dental anomalies. It is carried out while performing hygienic procedures for caring for the oral cavity. Massage in a circular motion along the gums using a medium-hard toothbrush.

As a result of such manipulations, local blood circulation will improve, pain will go away when wearing orthodontic structures, and the alignment process itself will go faster. Regular massage will strengthen your gums and prevent loosening of your teeth.

Signs of correct bite

Normally, the jaws make close contact when closing. In this case, the upper teeth cover the lower ones by about a third, so that the palatal tubercles of the former touch the incisors of the latter. There are no gaps between them both when the mouth is closed and during chewing. The facial proportions are symmetrical.

Also among the characteristic features:

• absence of speech defects;
• no clicking or other similar discomfort in the joint;
• ease of biting food.

And vice versa, if problems are observed in any of the points just listed, this is an alarm bell and a reason to consult an orthodontist, and immediately, without waiting for the situation to worsen.

In what cases can treatment be done without braces?

First of all, it should be noted that braces have been and remain the most effective in orthodontic treatment. And only in some cases you can do without their help:

· incorrect position of just one or two teeth (rotation, protrusion, retrusion, intrusion of crowns);

mild crowding of teeth;

· the presence of tremata and diastemas (wide dental spaces);

· widened or too narrow dental arch;

· slight deviations of bite from the norm;

allergy to metal;

· psychological discomfort and persistent reluctance to wear braces;

· high risk of injury to low-lying gums when installing braces;

· very low pain threshold;

· lifestyle or work specifics in which braces will interfere.

As can be seen from the indications, orthodontic structures such as aligners and trainers help only in cases where only light bite correction or elimination of small dental defects is required. Serious pathologies will still have to be corrected with braces. However, only a doctor can give a final conclusion on the advisability of using a particular method.

Why you need to straighten your teeth

Please note that the question is not whether it is worth correcting the bite - it simply needs to be done, and for several reasons:

• To avoid increased abrasion, caries, removal - when everything is normal, all incisors are evenly used when chewing, and in case of disturbances, some work more, others less; The former lose enamel faster and chip, the latter are less resistant to bacteria.
• To prevent diseases of the temporomandibular joints as a result of their mutual displacement. This pathology is also unpleasant due to bruxism, muscle spasms, clicking and crunching.
• To protect the gums, tongue and inner cheeks from injury caused by out-turned or tilted incisors.
• In order to grind food well during eating, not to create additional stress on the gastrointestinal tract and not to provoke problems with stool, enterocolitis, gastritis.
• To prevent problems with ENT organs and breathing, eliminate the source of bacterial accumulation and not give a single chance to sore throat, sinusitis, and otitis media.

People who have experienced complexes about their chin and then decided to have surgery or wear braces can tell a lot about whether to correct their bite. After medical help, they are much more willing to show their smile when communicating.

Correction of teeth shape

One of the most common reasons why patients turn to a dental esthetician is to correct the shape of their teeth. It should be noted that when we say “correction of the shape of teeth,” in 90% of cases we mean: correction of the front teeth, or more precisely, the teeth in the smile zone. Teeth may have an unaesthetic shape from birth, or they may acquire it throughout life. In the first case, specialists most often encounter gum hyperplasia (excessive growth of soft tissue) or disproportionate development of teeth. In the second case, the shape of the teeth is disrupted for two reasons: either due to increased abrasion, or as a result of injury, when the enamel or even a piece of the tooth (for example, a corner of the cutting edge) often chips. A special case is frantic lovers of gnawing seeds; this bad habit in severe cases provokes horseshoe-shaped abrasion of the front incisors.

In the case of gum hyperplasia, when soft tissues excessively cover the teeth, making them visually smaller and shorter, the problem is solved using laser gingivoplasty, when the “excess” mucous membrane is removed, exposing the tooth surface. In cases with increased tooth wear, the patient is prescribed, first of all, orthodontic treatment to correct occlusion, because malocclusion is the most common cause of this problem, and then teeth are corrected - extensions using composite materials or ceramic crowns. The same applies to correcting chips and cracks; in such cases, dental restoration or installation of ceramic veneers are also often used.

Diagnosis of anomalies

There are obvious cases, such as a pronounced diastema or torsion, you can notice them yourself when standing in front of a mirror. But there are also minor disorders that are no less dangerous to health, and only a specialized doctor can identify them.

Usually, hidden defects are easily recognized by a dentist - when he conducts a preventive examination, removes plaque or places a filling. Then he describes the problem and gives a referral to an orthodontist, who will determine how to straighten the jaw, bite, and a couple of adjacent teeth. To do this, a specialist will conduct a thorough examination of the patient’s mouth with a computed tomography or x-ray.

The anomaly can also occur during life, for example, after injury. Therefore, it makes sense to visit a doctor regularly, every six months, so that he either confirms that everything is in order, or promptly notices unwanted changes, which are easier to stop at the initial stage.

Trainers

Trainers are a special device for straightening teeth, resembling a mouthguard. This method is as effective as aligners, but more affordable.

The advantages of this method:

1. Can be used to straighten children's teeth;
2. It will not only help straighten your teeth, but also relieve problems such as pacifier or finger sucking, improper breathing or tongue positioning;
3. Helps straighten teeth for children and adults;
4. Does not require constant use, overnight is enough;
5. You can buy it yourself;
6. With the help of trainers, you can correct problems with diction, malocclusion and abnormal tooth growth;
7. Do not interfere with eating or talking;
8. Do not require special maintenance;
9. Low price.

Disadvantages of this method:

1. Long treatment period - from a year or longer;
2. At first wearing it causes discomfort;
3. There is a possibility of the mouthguard falling out during night wear.

To completely correct crooked teeth, you need to go through three stages of treatment. At the first stage, soft blue trays are used. They promote habituation and prepare the dentition for harder structures. At the last stage, the patient uses retainers (a device for preventing the curvature of teeth), which is worn only at night and is a metal case that is fixed in the palate of the mouth and remains practically invisible.

Up to what age is correction possible?

For many decades it was believed that the impact would be successful only in childhood, and during primary and secondary school, and not later. But with the development of orthodontics, things have changed. Today, achieving a healthy smile is not difficult at any stage of life - the main thing is that the person himself wants it, so that he is ready to patiently follow a number of medical prescriptions.

What is the problem with correcting bites in adults?

A child's jaw is in the process of growing, so it is more flexible and easier to change. At the age of 15, this is generally easiest to do: the incisors move relatively easily, they are fixed more securely - you have to wear braces for a year, no longer.

For a mature person, a similar procedure will take from 2 to 3 years, because his bone tissue is already formed. It is impossible to expand the space between the teeth, to move them apart; there is simply no free space. In some cases, you even have to remove, say, completely healthy eights.

Another nuance is that, say, at the age of 30, you will also need to consolidate the achieved result, and it will take a long time - from 20 to 40 months. Sometimes people wear retainer structures for almost the rest of their lives. This is explained by the fact that the incisors have already become “accustomed” to their positions and tend to take them again after the braces are removed.

Aligners (aligners)

An aligner is a mouth guard made of silicone or soft plastic that exactly follows the contours of the teeth and works like a brace system, albeit slowly but effectively straightening the teeth. Despite the proven effectiveness of aligners, they are not used so often, mainly to correct bites.

The advantages of this method:

1. Almost invisible on the teeth;
2. Easy to remove while eating or brushing your teeth;
3. Does not cause discomfort;
4. There are no restrictions on food when wearing a mouth guard;
5. Does not cause pain when wearing;
6. You can treat “oral” problems while wearing a mouth guard;
7. Do not cause allergies;
8. Along with straightening, you can also whiten your teeth;
9. Has no contraindications.

Disadvantages of this method:

1. Not effective for complex problems;
2. High price;
3. Before eating, food must be removed prematurely and stored properly;
4. Long production time (mouthguards are often delivered from abroad).

In order to comprehensively straighten crooked teeth using a mouth guard, you need to go through several stages. First, the dentist takes impressions of the teeth and creates an electronic model. The same layout is necessary at intermediate stages of treatment, as well as at the end of the procedure. For the entire stage of treatment, you need several drops, which should be changed after 2-3 weeks, as prescribed by the doctor.

The patient should wear the mouth guard at least 22 hours a day and remove it only to eat and brush teeth. The duration of treatment is from 6 to 8 months, and in case of prophylaxis.

Classification of dental gaps

Diastemas

– these are gaps of any size between the front central incisors. Tremae are spaces between any other teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Gaps between the lower front incisors are uncommon, but gaps between the upper central teeth can be seen several times more often. In many cases, the presence of a diastema of this kind provokes serious psychological discomfort, interfering with the harmonious socialization of patients.

Depending on what type of teeth are – baby or permanent – ​​a distinction is made between false and true gaps between them. False dental gaps are observed in children - such defects go away on their own along with the change of teeth. True gaps form between permanent teeth and can only be removed with specialized help from a dentist. Doctors advise starting to correct such defects immediately after they occur, since then it will require much less time and effort.

Surgical teeth straightening

Surgery can only correct an abnormal bite, but not straighten the teeth. Surgical intervention is used only in cases where orthodontic treatment is ineffective.

Indications for surgical correction of malocclusion include noticeable skeletal deformities, such as abnormal jaw or chin size.

The operation is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. Its duration depends on the complexity of the clinical case. After surgery, the patient undergoes a rehabilitation period. He will be able to return to a full life in 3-4 weeks.

Why do teeth grow at random?

Malocclusions are often caused by heredity. If parents have certain defects in the dental system, we can guess what dental problems their child will face. However, some systemic diseases, injuries, and improper oral care in childhood also lead to crooked teeth.

The main reasons why adult teeth are positioned incorrectly:

1.Underdevelopment of the dental system

Oddly enough, this is a problem of the accelerated development of civilization and the inability of the human body to adapt so quickly to a new environment. We began to eat freeze-dried food, which does not contribute to the development of the dental system. Genetically, the number of teeth remains the same, but the jaws do not receive the proper load and remain underdeveloped. As a result, teeth grow crowded and become crooked.

2.Premature tooth loss

If a baby tooth is removed before its due date, neighboring teeth tend to take its place, and the dentition is formed incorrectly. Further correction requires considerable time and financial costs. However, the problem concerns not only milk teeth, but also permanent teeth. Injuries sustained in adulthood can cause serious abnormalities. The long-term absence of one or more dental units leads to irreversible consequences: neighboring teeth are displaced, the bite is disrupted.

3. Problematic wisdom teeth

In addition to the fact that the eights themselves can grow crookedly, they contribute to the crowding of the remaining teeth. There is not enough space in the dentition for their full growth; from the moment they erupt, they harm neighboring teeth.

If you are embarrassed about your smile, contact an orthodontist - the problem can be solved.

How to choose a good doctor

With a large number of offers of dental services in Moscow, it is difficult to make a choice where and in what way to straighten teeth without braces for adult patients. The reputation of the clinic, the equipment used, the quality of the materials used, and the qualifications of the doctors are of great importance.

First of all, pay attention to the following factors:

• extensive practical experience, working with similar clinical cases, certificates;
• conducting a thorough preliminary examination and competent recommendations;
• availability of modern computer technologies for treatment planning;
• positive reviews online and in the professional environment, recommendations from other patients;
• working with high-quality materials and manufacturers of orthodontic products with an impeccable reputation.

In most cases, orthodontic services are quite expensive. Saving on treatment costs can adversely affect the final result and lead to complications. At the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, you can straighten your teeth under optimal conditions, without compromising the quality of work.

Braces price for bite correction

How to straighten teeth in adults?

More and more people today agree that it is necessary to correct uneven teeth. “How to straighten teeth in adults aged 30 or more” is one of the most common queries on the Internet on the topic of dentistry. This is a positive trend, which means that the level of public awareness and desire to change their smile is growing every year. Today, there are several methods that allow you to straighten teeth in adults of almost any age. Let's talk about everyone in order.

Gap between teeth: what should be done?

If you have a very small diastema, then a visit to the dental clinic can wait. However, even a small gap should be regularly monitored by a doctor, since tooth gaps tend to grow over time. However, if the diastema is significant, it is better to visit the dentist as soon as possible. This defect can contribute to the development of caries, malocclusion, gum disease, etc. Various methods have been developed for correcting diastemas. Typically, the doctor carries out treatment on an individual basis and selects a method that will be most effective for a particular patient. The technique is chosen based on the reasons for the appearance of a gap between the teeth, the size and degree of development of the dental gap, and the wishes of the person himself.

Where to get dental restoration done in Moscow?

Since dental restoration is a real art that requires the highest professionalism and considerable talent from the dentist, it is necessary to carefully choose a clinic and a specialist.

Dentistry "PROFI-Dent" is:

• an integrated approach to each clinical case;
• a team of true masters of their craft;
• the latest technical equipment;
• advanced materials and restoration technologies;
• ideal results in the shortest possible time.

The cost of aesthetic restoration work in our clinic will surprise you with its democratic nature, and the result will exceed your expectations!