Is it possible to put braces on only one jaw?

To correct an abnormal bite, you can put braces on your teeth. Such orthodontic systems affect bone tissue, muscles and ligaments, and help slowly move teeth into the correct position. Many people are interested in the question: is it possible to put braces on one jaw? You will find the answer in this article.

What are braces?
Are braces placed on one jaw?
Main indications for partial correction
Orthodontic correction up to 12 years
Braces for the lower jaw only for mild crowding
Treatment for crowded upper anterior incisors
Closing the gap between the front incisors
Partial bracket system for preparation for prosthetics
Absence of chewing teeth on the opposite jaw
Should I install braces on one jaw or not?

What are braces?

A brace system is an orthodontic device that is installed on the teeth and helps them move in the desired direction. Structurally, this device consists of small plates (directly braces), which are glued to the dental crown at pre-calculated points, and a metal arch. This arc has shape memory and is an active element of the system. Fixed on the plates, it tries to regain its even position and thereby puts pressure on the teeth. As a result, their slow, gradual movement in the bone tissue occurs. Orthodontic treatment not only helps to correct the curvature of individual teeth in a row, it allows you to change the shape and position of the jaw, and restore facial symmetry.

It is preferable to begin orthodontic correction in childhood. But modern medical capabilities make it possible to carry it out even in adulthood and old age.

Most often, an orthodontic device is placed on two jaws at once. The dentist calculates in advance in which direction a particular tooth should move, how much it is necessary to expand the jaw or spread the dentition. Double-jaw treatment is comprehensive and allows you to solve global problems in occlusion correction. It usually takes from several months to several years.

Types of braces and their characteristics -

All types of braces can be classified according to several parameters, for example, by type of material and design features.

Bracket systems: types (table 1)

By material type:	By type of construction:
1. Metal	1. Vestibular *
2. Ceramic	2. Lingual
3. Ceramic with metal groove and/or lock	3. Ligatures *
4. Sapphire	4. Unligated * (self-ligating)

* The term “vestibular” means that the braces will be fixed on the vestibular (front) surface of the teeth - in contrast to lingual braces, which are fixed on the lingual surface of the teeth. Another important feature of brace systems is the type of fixation of the metal arch in the bracket groove - according to this, braces are divided into “ligature” and “non-ligature” (we will talk about why this is important in the next section).

Options for dental braces: photo

Are braces placed on one jaw?

Installing a brace system is one of the most common and effective methods for correcting an abnormal bite, improper closure of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw. Crooked teeth and abnormal jaw position not only spoil a person’s appearance, but also affect his health. Therefore, correcting the bite is important and necessary. But installing braces confuses many people.

Some are concerned about aesthetics, others are concerned about possible inconveniences when wearing the system, others simply want to save on orthodontic correction. And then the patient turns to the doctor with the following question: is it possible to install braces only on the upper jaw or only on the lower jaw.

As a rule, a person knows in advance which teeth he wants to change. And if they are located only on one jaw, then he expects that he will have a partial braces installed, only in the area of the curvature.

The doctor must make such a decision. It may seem to the patient that he has a problem only with the lower jaw, but the dentist sees during the examination that partial correction will not give an effective result. In this case, the orthodontist will insist on a complete correction. If you need a stable result of orthodontic treatment, we recommend listening to the professional opinion of an orthodontist.

Teeth hurt after braces tightening

We hasten to reassure you: this is natural and normal, because the pressure increases, and some discomfort, as at the very beginning, after installing braces, is inevitable. However, you should immediately tell your doctor about severe pain - constant discomfort that does not go away the next day after the tightening cannot be felt. You don’t have to endure it if the wire of the braces interferes with you and you touch it with your gums or tongue.

Dentist advice:

Before the braces tightening procedure, it is better to think through your diet in advance for a day or two in advance - exclude food that needs to be chewed vigorously and leave something simpler, soft food (yogurt, cereal, puree);
It is better to eat and brush your teeth before the procedure - afterward, due to the sensitivity of the teeth, it will be more difficult;
Talk to your doctor about what type of pain medication you can take if the pain bothers you. Important: do not take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs on an empty stomach;
After meals, you can (and even should) use an antibacterial mouth rinse.

Main indications for partial correction

In some cases, it is indeed possible to place braces on one jaw, and this approach will be effective. As a rule, these are situations where the teeth are only crooked at the top or bottom, but the bite is not broken and there is no facial asymmetry. Partial correction may be recommended for the following indications:

one or two teeth are positioned incorrectly;
slight crowding of teeth (lack of space - up to 3 mm);
a gap between the front incisors in the absence of pathological closure of premolars and molars;
correction of the position of teeth before installing dentures;
the need to avoid sagging of the upper teeth when their antagonists (opposite units) in the lower jaw are absent.

Diagnostics will show how effective braces will be only on the upper jaw or, conversely, on the lower jaw. It should include a visual examination, x-rays, assessment of the condition of bone tissue and dental roots.

Let's consider cases when it is justified to place braces separately on the upper jaw and separately on the lower jaw.

Contraindications for occlusion adjustment in adults

Unfortunately, not all patients who need to correct jaw anomalies can have braces. There are absolute and temporary contraindications.

Absolute:

installed implants;
lack of teeth;
endocrine diseases;
mental illness;
pathology of bone tissue;
oncology;
blood diseases.

Temporary:

acute infections;
presence of dental diseases;
enamel damage;
poor hygiene (stones, plaque);
bruxism;
pregnancy.

Orthodontic correction up to 12 years

Braces are primarily used for children starting in their teens. This is due to the fact that by the age of 11-12 years the formation of the jaws is completed, and the primary bite is replaced by a permanent one. But often, an orthodontist discovers bite problems in a child at an earlier age. Installing partial braces helps solve some of them, as well as prepare teeth for further correction in adolescence.

The doctor can place an orthodontic device on one jaw or individual teeth in order to:

create space for the eruption of permanent teeth;
expand one of the jaws;
close the gap between the front incisors (the so-called diastema);
correct the incorrect position of one or more teeth that are bothering the child;
preserve the space left after early removal of baby teeth, which neighboring ones are trying to occupy.

Thus, braces can be placed on one jaw at the age of 9-10 years to solve a specific orthodontic problem. In this case, in adolescence, further, already double-jaw, treatment will be required.

How to install the structure

Before using braces, you may need dental treatment for caries and other oral pathologies. After the orthodontic system is manufactured, it is installed on the teeth prepared for this. It happens like this:

A bracket (clasp) is attached to each tooth and is fixed using a special adhesive composition.
Each bracket is connected to the next archwire.

The features of this design make it possible to create a directed pressure of a certain force specifically on the curved teeth, which over time displaces or turns them in a given direction. The installation procedure does not cause any pain.

The duration of use of local braces depends on the type of pathology, its severity and the age characteristics of the patient, but most often it does not exceed ten months. Fragmentary braces can be placed on children when the baby incisors have been replaced by permanent ones, as well as when all the chewing teeth have grown, which is important for the quality of the system installation. That is, this is possible at the age of 8-10 years.

Braces for the lower jaw only for mild crowding

Crowding is the position of teeth when they are too close to each other. As a result, rotation, curvature, and “layering” of each other occur. If slight crowding is observed only on the lower front incisors, while the upper front incisors are positioned evenly and the lateral ones close correctly, in this case, braces are sometimes placed only on the lower jaw. An important condition for this method is that there must be enough space to move horizontally so that the teeth can take the correct position. This treatment method is chosen in cases where the lack of space for alignment is less than 3 mm. With this method, separation of the front incisors is almost always performed - that is, minor grinding of the contact surfaces, which allows you to free 0.25 mm from each surface and in total create those missing 1-3 mm for alignment in the dentition.

Diet and hygiene of orthodontic patients

Patients with metal and ceramic braces follow a diet and monitor oral hygiene. Orthodontists recommend eliminating sticky and hard foods: chips, nougat, chewing gum and toffees. Patients cut fruits, vegetables and meat into pieces. If a person does not follow a diet, the braces come off and treatment slows down.

Caring for teeth with braces becomes more complicated: patients use manual and single-beam toothbrushes, brushes and an irrigator to clean the enamel under the arch and around the braces. Teeth are brushed in the morning, in the evening and, if possible, after each meal. It is easier to care for metal self-ligating braces: the devices have few protruding elements in which food gets stuck. The low profile also contributes to better oral hygiene.

Treatment for crowded upper anterior incisors

Braces on the upper jaw only can be placed if crowding is observed on the upper front incisors. The conditions are the same - the space deficit should be no more than 2-3 mm. In addition, treatment should not require expansion of the dentition. In this case, for orthodontic correction it is not necessary to involve the lower dentition.

If you provide space for uneven teeth by expanding the upper row, this will disrupt the closure. As a result, the teeth will “seek contact” with each other, the upper row will become narrow again, and in the long term the goal of orthodontic treatment will not be achieved. Therefore, if it is necessary to expand the upper row of teeth in order to correct crowding, a partial braces system cannot be used; a two-jaw apparatus will have to be installed. Braces can only be placed on the upper jaw if space for teeth is freed up using the separation method (their width is reduced by grinding the contact surfaces).

Additional methods and alternatives to braces treatment

A number of patients do not tolerate wearing braces well. Therefore, modern orthodontics invents and offers alternative treatment methods for use. Deviations from the norm when closing the teeth are insignificant; local irregularities in the dentition are perfectly corrected by aligners and elastopositioners. These are modern orthodontic devices in the form of a mouth guard made of absolutely harmless and bioinert material. They can be removed, they are transparent, do not change color when worn and do not absorb foreign odors, they are easy to care for.

The aligner is used to get rid of various types of abnormal bites. An elastopositioner is a multifunctional device in orthodontics, used to stimulate the growth of the lower jaw, wean children from bad habits, or if the child has mouth breathing.

And also for snoring or to consolidate the results of treatment as a retention structure. Only a doctor can determine which system or device is suitable in each specific case. The choice of braces or their alternative depends on the diagnosis and degree of pathology, as well as the individual preferences of the patient.

Closing the gap between the front incisors

Braces can be placed on the lower jaw if there is a large gap (diastema) between the lower front incisors. In this case, several conditions must be met:

the lateral teeth close together normally;
there is an opportunity for a “joint to joint” closure of the front teeth of the upper and lower rows.

If these conditions are not met, it may be necessary to artificially increase the size of those teeth between which there is a gap. This is done using filling material. If the patient is not ready to fill healthy teeth in order to increase their size, then single-jaw treatment of diastema will not suit him, since the doctor will not be able to guarantee the stability of the result.

Which braces are better: popular Ormco models

Here is a brief description of Ormco self-ligating and ligature metal bracket systems.

Damon Q2 passive self-ligating braces went on sale in 2018. High-precision groove with improved rotation control, increased subligature space for elastic fixation and cap-mounted guides for precise positioning. Damon Q2 is compatible with Damon Q, Damon Clear2 and buccal tubes: the doctor flexibly uses the Damon ecosystem to achieve results. Damon Q2 – reliable metal braces with a high-precision groove.

benefits of Damon Q2

Damon Q metal braces are Ormco's best seller. Since 2008, a million patients in Russia have been treated using this model. Small size and rounded edges do not rub the mucous membrane. The mesh base secures the braces to the tooth enamel throughout the entire treatment period. Damon Q is a confident choice for an orthodontist.

Damon Q Stainless Steel

Mini Diamond is a system of metal ligature braces with a universal diamond shape. Using the properties of 17-4 steel and MIM casting technology, Ormco engineers reduced the size of the bracket by 30%. For the anterior and lateral groups of teeth, the doctor can choose zero, standard, low and high torque. Orthodontists fix the Mini Diamond in complex clinical cases that require small sizes and careful control of the position of the teeth. Mini Diamond is suitable for patients on a budget.

Mini Diamond in 17-4 steel

Orthos – ligature metal braces. For five years, a team of researchers using computer engineering methods developed a design for orthodontists. The result of the work is a “smart” system of braces, arches and buccal tubes, as well as its own recipe. Features of the Orthos prescription are negative torque and progressive positive angulation of lower incisor brackets, reduced values of negative torque in the lateral regions and positive angulation of lower and upper second premolars.

ligature Orthos on typodont

Titanium Orthos are classic ligature braces made of titanium alloy for patients with allergic reactions to nickel. Models of the anterior group of teeth with a curved shape repeat the surface of the incisors and canines: this makes it easier for the doctor to position the locks during fixation.
Synthesis – ligature braces enlarged compared to Mini Diamond with precise rotational and angulation control of teeth on a straight arch. The model is suitable for budget treatment.

When comparing types of metal braces, Damon Q2 comes to the fore. The doctor does not waste time removing ligatures or trying to open jammed lock covers. Without making any effort, the orthodontist turns a special “key” and changes the arch without pain for the patient. Elastic chains and rods cling to the enlarged subligature space of the braces. Patients do not waste a single day on their way to a Hollywood smile.

Partial bracket system for preparation for prosthetics

Sometimes braces are placed on only one jaw in preparation for prosthetics or in order to close empty spaces from extracted teeth. In the first case, braces help change the angle of the teeth to make room for an implant or bridge. In the second case, the brace system is used to move the posterior chewing tooth to the place of the previously removed one, thereby closing the empty gap and avoiding prosthetics. It is important to note that such treatment is usually complex and lengthy (tooth movement can take up to four years).

The orthodontist decides how appropriate it is to install a partial brace system for such indications in each specific case.

Reviews from orthodontists

“A proven brace for years that I trust. Working with Damon Q, I know for sure that the work of an orthodontist is an intellectual process, and in implementation I rely on the system, and the technology will definitely not let you down. This is a tool that is easy to work with. The equipment is comfortable for me and for the patient. In the role of the latter, I also know Damon Q.”

“It seemed that Damon Q was perfection, but Damon Q2 appeared and made the possibilities of orthodontists even wider. More accuracy, faster implementation of the information embedded in the bracket. There is a lot of room for imagination: we are happy to combine Damon systems in the oral cavity.”

Dentist-orthodontist, expert on the Insignia system Sigua Nino Valerievna.
The material is for informational purposes only and is presented for informational purposes. It does not replace consultation with an orthodontist and is not a guide to correcting dental anomalies.

Should I install braces on one jaw or not?

If the patient is concerned about the question of whether braces are placed on the lower jaw, then the answer will be positive. An orthodontic device can be installed not only on the lower or upper jaw, but also on individual teeth or areas of the dentition. But the main question is whether such treatment would be advisable. As a rule, installing a brace system on one jaw solves exclusively local dental problems. This process is more difficult to control and provides fewer treatment options. If contraindications are not provided, even a successful result will be short-lived, and the teeth will return to their previous position.

Thus, a dentist planning single-jaw orthodontic treatment must carefully assess the risks, take into account the many factors that will influence tooth movement and predict in advance the effectiveness and stability of the result.

If the doctor sees that solving the problem with a partial braces system will be problematic, he will recommend double-jaw treatment to the patient. Its advantages are that teeth can move in different planes without negative effects such as disruption of contacts between the upper and lower ones. Plus, such treatment is easier to predict and control, and it gives a more sustainable result.

How to choose the right braces - dentist reviews

Of course, the choice of a brace system should be made by the orthodontist, based on the clinical situation of a particular patient. The fact is that bracket systems from different manufacturers are not fully universal, and it is better to select them for specific tasks. On the other hand, the orthodontist often recommends expensive non-ligature braces to the patient, although in most clinical situations ligature braces are often preferable, and at the same time cheaper.

To choose the right braces, answer the following questions. You must decide for yourself:

firstly, decide on an acceptable level of aesthetics,
secondly – with the level of comfort, reliability and speed of treatment,
thirdly – with a design (ligature or non-ligature),
the fourth criterion is the cost of braces.

1) First assess the acceptable level of aesthetics -

If you are not at all embarrassed by the fact that people will see your braces, feel free to choose metal braces that are fixed to the front surface of the teeth. This version of braces has the highest reliability and efficiency (high speed of tooth movement). Modern metal braces are very small in size; for example, they will be significantly smaller in size than most ceramic or sapphire braces.

Braces made of metal, ceramics and artificial sapphire –

If you want braces to be less noticeable, then you will have to choose between sapphire and ceramic braces on the one hand, and lingual type braces on the other. Lingual braces are fixed to the inner surface of the dentition, and therefore they have ideal aesthetics (they are not visible at all). However, on the other hand, such braces have a high price, not very high reliability, and also a low speed of tooth movement.

But there is practically no difference between sapphire and ceramic braces (they differ from each other only in the degree of transparency). Sapphire braces have high transparency, and they look better on snow-white teeth (especially those with a high degree of transparency of tooth enamel). Ceramic braces are non-transparent and white in color and will look better on teeth with darker shades of tooth enamel.

2) Compare different types of braces with each other in terms of comfort, reliability and speed of treatment -

table 2

Metal braces	Ceramic/sapphire braces	Lingual braces
Aesthetics	low	high	perfect
Reliability	very high	medium to high 1	low
Treatment speed	high	medium to high 2	low
Frequency of orthodontic visits	Once every 2 months 3	Once every 2 months 3	as needed
Convenience for patients	quick adaptation	quick adaptation	difficult adaptation
Treatment price	medium to high	high	extremely high

1 – high reliability is inherent in ligature models of ceramic braces (there is simply nothing to break in their design) – while non-ligature ceramic braces can sometimes have breakdowns that require replacing the broken bracket.

2 – you can expect different speeds of tooth movement from different models of ceramic braces. For example, when using non-ligature all-ceramic braces (in which the lock is also made of ceramic), orthodontists try to use “less force” tactics, because high loads can lead to breakage of a micro-lock made of ceramics. Naturally, this tactic leads to a decrease in the speed of treatment.

3 – the frequency of visits to the orthodontist can be completely different for both metal and ceramic braces. When using more modern models of braces, correction sessions are usually carried out once every 2 months, but when using cheaper brace systems, their technical characteristics may require correction once a month.

Additional nuances : if there is a high risk of damage to braces (certain sports) or you are fond of playing wind musical instruments, braces on the front surface of the teeth will not be a good choice. In this case, it is better to give preference to lingual braces, which are fixed on the inside of the dentition. On the other hand, lingual braces will be contraindicated if you need good diction.

3) Is it better to choose ligature or self-ligating braces?

The metal arch can be fixed in the groove of the braces - either with the help of ligatures (rubber rings or metal wire), or with the help of special locking fasteners on the surface of the bracket plates. There are also models of braces that implement 2 options for fixing the arch, i.e. they will have micro-locks and special hooks for attaching ligatures.

Ligature braces - with this system, a metal arch is fixed in the bracket groove using special ligatures. The ligatures can be special rubber rings (they can be multi-colored or transparent) or thin metal wire. Accordingly, braces of this type will have special “hooks” (wings) designed to hold ligatures. It should be noted that ligature braces are very reliable, because... There’s simply nothing to break here.

Non-ligature braces (self-ligating) – on the surface of each bracket of this type there is a special micro-lock, which snaps into place after the metal arch is inserted into the bracket groove. In non-ligature braces, as a rule, a “passive self-ligation” system is always implemented. This means that the micro-locks will hold the archwire and prevent it from falling out of the bracket, but at the same time the archwire will be able to slide along the bracket groove. And this is a very important feature.
Ligature-free braces: photo

Important: if your doctor says that only non-ligature braces are suitable for you, then he is clearly lying. The fact is that correcting a bite with such braces usually costs 1.5-2 times more. And this price appears not only because of the slightly increased cost, but primarily because self-ligating braces are positioned as the most modern and most effective (which is a little far from the truth).

Comparison of ligature and non-ligature braces –

Ease of changing the “type of ligation” - there is active and passive fixation of the metal arch in the bracket slot (type of ligation). Active fixation means that the arch will be tightly clamped in the bracket groove and will not be able to slide freely in it (Fig. 15). With passive fixation, there will be no tight contact between the arch and the bracket slot and the arch will slide freely in the bracket slot (Fig. 16). Why this is important is because different types of ligation are usually required at certain stages of orthodontic treatment. For example, passive arch ligation is more suitable for eliminating lingual or vestibular position or inclination of teeth, and active ligation is more suitable for rotating teeth around an axis, expanding the dentition, etc. Therefore, at different stages of treatment it is necessary to be able to change the type of ligation from active to passive, and vice versa. And this opportunity provides a high speed of treatment, and also reduces the number of complications of orthodontic treatment.
When using ligature braces, you can change the arch fixation system from active to passive and vice versa - simply by loosening or tightening the ligatures. In non-ligature braces, the design initially includes only one ligation option - usually passive ligation of the arch. This leads to the fact that the orthodontist sometimes has to treat the patient with biomechanical loads on the teeth that are not optimal for him, which can lead to treatment simply stalling at some stage and/or complications developing (24stoma.ru).
Some manufacturers of non-ligating (self-ligating) braces, in view of such shortcomings, began to combine types of arch fixation. For example, the design of a still-ligature-free bracket may additionally include special “wings” for fixing rubber ligatures, which at some stage of treatment will make it possible to change the passive ligation of the arch to active. In fact, such braces are the best option, which combine the advantages of both ligature and non-ligature braces.

Number of visits for correction of braces – manufacturers of non-ligature braces claim that the patient has to go to correction sessions less often. In fact, most often it turns out just the opposite. The fact is that when using non-ligature braces, there is no possibility to change the type of arch ligation (from active to passive and vice versa), and this will require the orthodontist to more often change the types of metal arches.

“Less Force” Tactics – Manufacturers claim that the use of ligature-free braces results in the ability to apply significantly less force to the teeth required to move them. According to them, this becomes possible due to a noticeable reduction in the friction force of the metal arc in the groove of non-ligature braces, which leads to the possibility of reducing effort. At the same time, they present the results of their own research.
In fact, most independent studies that have been published in well-known peer-reviewed medical publications indicate that the frictional force of the archwire in the bracket slot is almost the same for both ligature and non-ligature braces. Example of a study: “Maxillary canine retraction with self-ligating and conventional brackets.” The Angle Orthodontist: March 2011, (Vol. 81, No. 2, pp. 292-297).
An interesting point: when orthodontists use all-ceramic non-ligature braces, they are actually forced to reduce the “forces acting on the teeth.” But this is not due to the fact that “lesser forces” are sufficient to move teeth. The fact is that in all-ceramic non-ligated braces, the micro-locks are also made of ceramic, and therefore heavy loads often lead to breakage of the micro-locks and the need to replace the braces. Therefore, the tactics of “smaller forces” are just a marketing ploy.

The cost of installing braces - the most affordable option would be metal ligature braces - the price for high-quality braces will start from 100,000 rubles for 2 jaws. One of the most affordable options for non-ligature metal braces is “Forestadent Quick” (Germany) - their price starts from 120,000 rubles for 2 jaws. But usually the price for most non-ligature braces starts at 155,000 rubles.

Convenient hygiene – but this is where non-ligature braces are significantly better than ligature ones. The big advantage of non-ligature braces is that when they are used, fewer spaces are created where food debris can linger. This is an important plus (especially for patients with irregular oral hygiene).

Conclusions : cheaper ligature braces (in terms of speed and effectiveness of treatment) are not only not inferior to non-ligature braces, but vice versa - in most cases they allow the patient to be treated more effectively and quickly. With non-ligature braces, it is easy to change the type of arch ligation - just by replacing the rubber ligatures (they can be of different hardness/elasticity). This applies to both metal and ceramic non-ligature braces.

It is precisely in view of the design shortcomings of modern systems of ligature-free braces that some manufacturers began to make special “wings” on the ligature-free braces they produce, which, if necessary, can be used to fix the arch with ordinary ligatures. This, apparently, is a good confirmation of the fact that ligature-free braces are currently very imperfect, and cannot in any way be considered the best alternative in absolutely any clinical situation.

Therefore, by far the best choice would be non-ligature braces, which have special “wings” (hooks) in their design for fixing ligatures made of rubber or thin orthodontic wire. And this option will certainly cost more. But if you cannot yet afford expensive solutions, then feel free to choose the option of ligature braces made of metal or ceramics suggested by the orthodontist. For high-quality economy options of both, you can easily meet 125,000 rubles (for 2 jaws).

For example, this is the amount that ceramic “Reflections” braces or transparent sapphire “Pure” braces can cost you. Although this is an economy class, these braces models are produced by a well-known orthodontic company (USA).

Prerequisites for bite problems in children

A visit to an orthodontist is a mandatory stage of medical examination for children and adolescents. The growth of the dental system is determined by various parameters: hereditary factors, environmental features of the region, bad habits of the child and psychological disorders.

Bad habits in children cause abnormalities in the growth and development of the facial skeleton and teeth. Prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking and insertion of the tongue between the teeth creates an open bite. Sleeping with your hand under your cheek causes misalignment of the jaw and teeth and causes the development of a crossbite. The infantile type of swallowing forms a distal bite. In such situations, it makes sense for parents to contact a child psychologist. An orthodontist corrects dental anomalies, but does not treat neurological and psychological disorders. After completing the psychological preparation of the child, parents and the doctor will have to choose a bite correction system.

Stages of defect correction and expected results

Treatment with orthodontic structures can be divided into four main stages, each of which has its own time periods:

Leveling
. It is the first stage and lasts 4-8 months. During this period, visually noticeable changes occur - the teeth in the row become straighter.
Mechanical movement
. The longest and, at the same time, the most important of all stages of treatment takes 6-18 months. Installing more rigid arches provokes the movement of teeth forward, backward and along the axis, and also creates conditions for correcting the bite. Visually, the changes may not be noticeable as a functional transformation occurs.
Detailing
. In terms of treatment, this is the final stage, which takes 2-6 months. By this time, all movements of the teeth and jaws have been completed and all that is required is sealing the contacts between the units and detailing their position.
Consolidation of results
. The retention period is usually twice as long as the time the braces were worn. In order to consolidate the results, removable and non-removable retailers can be used.

In some particularly difficult cases, the retention period can be lifelong, that is, retailers are appointed forever. You will be able to understand how much time it will take for you to consolidate the results during the treatment process, based on data about how flexible your teeth are to shifting.

Material of manufacture

In terms of material, there are braces made of metal, ceramic, plastic and combined models. The peculiarities of the manufacturing material, the complexity of the clinical case, aesthetic requirements and financial capabilities allow the doctor and the patient to jointly decide which bracket system is better. There are no universal recommendations.

Ligature systems are made from a metal alloy (Orthos, Mini Diamond) and transparent artificially grown sapphire (aesthetic Inspire ICE). Aesthetic ligature braces are superior in size to metal structures. The disadvantage is more complex activation and an increased period of patient adaptation to foreign structures.

aesthetic sapphire Inspire ICE

Non-ligature structures are made of metal (Damon Q, Damon 3MX) and especially durable ceramics (Damon Clear 2). The adaptation period is easier than when installing devices with ligatures. Treatment with Damon systems is reduced by an average of 7 months compared to treatment with ligature braces.

teens with Damon Q braces

If psychological comfort or the characteristics of an adult patient’s profession require an inconspicuous system, it is advisable to choose Inspire ICE sapphire braces or Damon Clear 2 ceramic braces. For a child, sapphire and ceramic structures are not always a good choice due to increased fragility: a teenager can accidentally damage the elements of the system as a result injury or poor diet.

transparent Inspire ICE on typodont

Retainers: why are they worn after braces are removed?

A retainer is a device that looks like an arch. It is placed on the back surface of the teeth when braces are removed. This way the new position of the teeth is secured. The ligamentous apparatus of the teeth has muscle memory, so no matter how we move the teeth, they will tend to return to their “original” position. Wearing a retainer is an essential part of orthodontic treatment. This is especially true for people over twenty-five years of age. A retainer is installed for at least two periods of wearing braces: for example, the patient wore them for one year, then the retainer will need to be worn for two years. Foreign orthodontists generally argue that you need to wear retainers constantly - this is the only way to guarantee that your teeth will remain straight. In general, after some time the retainer can be replaced with a night guard or plate. But some kind of structure supporting the new position of the teeth will definitely be needed - this is a classic. Unfortunately, patients often neglect this stage of treatment, experience relapses and begin to talk about the ineffectiveness and uselessness of orthodontic treatment in adulthood.

Price of braces for adults in Moscow

To avoid misleading you, we will not indicate specific amounts. Because orthodontic treatment for adults is time-consuming and often requires additional or preparatory procedures, its overall cost cannot be low. But the opportunity to smile broadly without embarrassment is priceless at any age! Therefore, it makes sense to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist, no matter how old you are. After examination and research, the doctor will tell you the exact cost of treatment in your case.