Clínica Privada de Ortodoncia en Torrevieja Alicante

To install braces, you first need to come for an in-person consultation with an orthodontist. During the visit, the doctor examines the dental rows, joints, and oral mucosa, takes and studies a panoramic X-ray, creates a treatment plan and a preparation plan for braces installation.

Table of Contents:

• How to prepare for braces installation?
• When braces can be installed: main indications
• What are the dangers of bite disorders?
• How long are braces worn?
• Which braces are better?
• Types of braces we install at "AP-Denta" Clinic
• At what age is it best to get braces?
• How much do braces cost?

How to prepare for braces installation?

Hygiene. Braces should be installed on clean enamel. Therefore, braces are bonded only after professional hygiene.

Caries treatment - these are mandatory procedures before braces installation. Of course, if necessary, it's possible to treat teeth with braces on, but without them, treatment will be higher quality since braces won't interfere with accessing the necessary side of the tooth, restoring anatomical form, and polishing the filling.

Root canal treatment - pulpitis and periodontitis. This step, just like caries treatment, is mandatory before braces installation. Without braces, it's more convenient to isolate the tooth from saliva so it doesn't get into root canals during treatment. Also, in cases with periodontitis ("cysts") - chronic infection foci should be suppressed before starting orthodontic treatment to prevent exacerbations and complications during treatment.

Restoration of severely damaged teeth with crowns. Usually, severely damaged teeth are restored with ceramic crowns, but in case of upcoming orthodontic treatment, it's preferable to install crowns made of polymer material. This material is not as rigid as ceramic and better suits bite change conditions. After orthodontic treatment completion, such crowns should be replaced with ceramic ones.

Wisdom teeth removal. This is one of the most controversial moments in orthodontic treatment planning. You can read more about this here: "Do wisdom teeth need to be removed before orthodontic treatment."

Frenulum plastic surgery of tongue and lips. This manipulation is not always needed, only in cases where they support pathology: disrupt swallowing, chewing, or speech function. For example, a wide tongue frenulum pushes the tongue forward, it presses on teeth with force, or a wide lip frenulum contributes to front teeth separation and subsequent formation of recessions - exposure of tooth necks.

When braces can be installed: main indications

Since the smile is in the most visible place - on the face, it is undoubtedly one of the indicators of attractiveness and status. One of the most frequent requests for braces installation is aesthetics, the desire to have beautiful straight teeth. But besides beauty, there are certain medical indications for installing orthodontic systems.

Main indications:

• Achieving smile aesthetics
• Restoring bite height, and consequently - rejuvenation
• Correcting incorrect bite
• Preparation for veneer or crown installation
• Preparation for implantation
• Eruption of unerupted teeth
• Treatment of increased tooth wear
• Treatment of joint problems and headaches
• Treatment of gum problems

What are the dangers of bite disorders?

If a patient has bite changes, during chewing and teeth closing, the load on teeth is uneven, leading to increased wear, deterioration, and chips.

Incorrect tooth position worsens hygiene, promotes food getting stuck between teeth, leading to caries development between teeth, gum inflammation - gingivitis and periodontitis. These infection foci in the mouth, in turn, support ENT organ diseases, gastrointestinal tract diseases, and can also cause heart diseases and strokes.

Incorrect bite negatively affects temporomandibular joints: joint pain, chewing muscle pain, clicking, and even headaches occur.

It's important that bite problems can maintain not only headaches but also neck pain, and can even be interconnected with spinal curvature and flat feet.

If after tooth removal, the resulting gap was not restored, neighboring teeth try to fill the void, tilting and shifting, leading to bite reduction. And then, for example, for implant or prosthesis installation, there may be insufficient space or height.

Also, lack of prosthetics, or incorrect prosthetics, or increased wear leads to bite reduction, which causes angular cheilitis, nasolabial folds, sorrow wrinkles, and overall facial oval deterioration.

At the same time, lack of prosthetics is not only empty gaps from removed teeth. It's also teeth that were not timely covered with crowns or inlays, and their chewing surface was restored with fillings, but the fillings chipped or wore down.

How long are braces worn?

Orthodontic treatment is not a quick process. Duration depends on many factors: age, situation complexity, used constructions, presence of comorbidities, etc. Usually, treatment takes from 1 to 2 years. If the situation is very complex, terms can reach up to 5 years.

After braces removal, it will be necessary to use retainers for several years - a removable plate worn at night, or a wire glued to teeth from the inside, which holds teeth in the correct position. These retainers consolidate treatment results. In adulthood, retainer wearing may be lifelong.

Which braces are better?

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, patients get confused since modern dentistry offers many braces, different in appearance and cost. To choose the type of construction that will best correct the bite, you need to come for a consultation with an orthodontist. You can discuss options with them and choose one that suits parents and child.

Types of braces we install at "AP-Denta" Clinic:

Metal braces. This type has been used for a very long time and has several advantages: low cost, high efficiency, resistance to external influences, faster treatment. The main disadvantage is their visibility on teeth.

Sapphire braces. These braces are made from artificial sapphires, and due to the transparent material, compared to metal ones, they are less noticeable on teeth, making this type very popular. Disadvantages - cost is approximately 1.5 times higher than metal ones, and they are more fragile.

Ceramic braces. These braces are made from dental ceramics, so like sapphire ones, they are barely noticeable on teeth, which is the main significant advantage, and they are quite durable. Main disadvantages - high cost and longer treatment.

Lingual braces. These braces are also metal but attach to the inner surface of teeth, making them completely invisible when smiling. This is their main advantage. However, they have some disadvantages: very difficult to maintain hygiene, which can lead to caries development and gum problems, treatment with this construction is longer, and lingual braces interfere with the tongue during speaking, often causing speech sound pronunciation problems.

Self-ligating braces. The manufacturing material of such braces can be metal, sapphire, or ceramic. Their main difference - absence of ligatures (elements for arch fixation) - gives certain treatment advantages. Instead, the arch attaches using a built-in micro-lock in the bracket itself. Advantages include: convenient care and much easier hygiene maintenance, such braces are practically unfelt and don't irritate mucosa, and adaptation happens much faster. The only minus of such braces is high price.

At what age is it best to get braces?

There's an opinion that braces can only be installed in adolescence.

But actually, this is not true.

Treatment with braces systems according to indications can be performed at any age. There are specific indications, different types of braces, and treatment methods chosen individually for each case.

For example, in childhood (6-13 years), bite correction is most often performed with removable plates (appliances) that correct bite and stop further pathology development. The choice towards plates is because at this age, it's difficult for children to thoroughly brush teeth, they accumulate much plaque that promotes caries development, and braces would worsen the situation. Additionally, enamel is not yet sufficiently dense. Therefore, preference is given to removable constructions that allow children to maintain the necessary hygiene level. However, with some indications, braces may still be installed.

Installing braces in adolescence (13-18 years) is considered ideal timing. During this period, permanent teeth have already erupted, the root system is sufficiently formed to withstand load, but the jaw is actively growing. This allows maximum speed and effectiveness in orthodontic treatment.

The most common misconception is that correcting bite in adulthood is too late. But this is not true. Adults also undergo treatment with braces systems. However, there are some nuances. For example, adults already have a formed dental-jaw system, it's less pliable, and adults may experience discomfort and pain during treatment.

How much do braces cost?

Treatment cost depends on the initial situation and type of chosen braces. The more complex the situation, the more expensive the braces system, the more expensive the treatment itself. Besides this, you must consider the doctor's knowledge and experience. This is also factored into the total cost.

Also consider that usually the entire amount is not paid at once but is spread over the treatment time. For example, in our clinic, payment occurs in parts.

You should also look at what parameters make up the total cost. For example, professional hygiene, wisdom teeth removal, and caries and gum treatment are not included in orthodontic treatment cost.

But regular visits for arch replacement, braces removal, and retainer installation - this is included in the total cost at our clinic.

We invite residents of Torrevieja, La Mata, Elche, Murcia, Alicante, and other cities of Costa Blanca and Valencia region to visit our clinic or call. CALL: +(34) 638 893 141 Appointments are made by prior arrangement.