Frequently Asked Questions
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialisation of dentistry, focusing on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of misaligned teeth and disharmonious jaws. Orthodontics is not simply about getting straight teeth, but can make a difference to your appearance, your bite and your overall oral health. It is a specialty which blends science and art.
Who is an orthodontist?
Orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received three years of additional training and experience to comprehend the science behind tooth movement and its relationship to the face. An orthodontist is a specialist who can straighten teeth, correct a misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function and aesthetics of your smile.
What causes orthodontic problems?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited genetically. Jaw growth problems, spacing, crowding, extra or missing teeth are some examples of inherited problems. Prolonged thumb-sucking, dental cavities, the premature or late loss of baby teeth, accidents or traumas, can also be the cause of orthodontic problems.
When should a child get an orthodontic checkup?
According to the American Association of Orthodontist the optimal age for a first orthodontic visit is the age of 7. Orthodontic problems like skeletal, space problems and facial disharmony is important to be diagnosed early. Early diagnosis may allow for preventive measures to be taken that can significantly reduce the severity and complexity of orthodontic problems and make any future treatment easier and shorter in duration.
Why is treatment so important?
It is hard to clean and maintain crooked and crowded teeth and oral hygiene is therefore inevitably hindered. Moreover, malocclusion can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue. If left untreated the problems may get more severe by time and require excessive dental restorations later in life.
Can adults also benefit from orthodontic treatment?
A nice smile has no age and healthy teeth can be straightened at any time. An adult can have a treatment with discreet aesthetic options like clear aesthetic braces, lingual braces and invisible aligners. It has been proven that an improvement of a smile during orthodontic treatment can lead to increase of self-confidence. Approximately one in every five orthodontic patients are over the age of 21. Everybody deserves a nice smile!
What should trigger a visit to an orthodontist?
- Thumb thrusting
- Gap between the upper and lower teeth
- Dental or facial asymmetry
- Mouth breathing
- Crowding
- Gaps between teeth
- Upper jaw is too far out
- Lower jaw is behind or out
- Early loss of baby teeth (trauma or caries)
- Delayed eruption of permanent teeth
- Difficulties on chewing and eating
Nevertheless, a visit to an orthodontist even when none of the above characteristics are observed will help you to get an early diagnosis and know if there is need for an orthodontic treatment.
Which benefits can someone have out after having braces?
Functional and aesthetic benefits can be expected after an orthodontic treatment. A good occlusion can help prevent unnecessary wear of tooth substance as well as reduce risk of occlusion-related problems with temporomandibular joint involvement and muscular pain. Speaking or chewing issues due to poor occlusion can also be resolved with orthodontic treatment. Aesthetic of the smile and the faces can significantly improve after an orthodontic treatment giving confidence to patients.
How can I understand if my child or myself needs orthodontic treatment?
Sometimes even when front teeth are aligned there is still a need for a comprehensive orthodontic treatment, while in other cases e.g. of crowding, when patients think they face a severe problem, treatment can be rather straightforward and easy. The best way to know for sure if your child or yourself need an orthodontic treatment is by visiting a specialist orthodontist or taking an opinion from your general or pediatric dentist.
What are the different types of braces applied in your Clinic?
Braces are used by your orthodontist to provide you with a nice smile and functional occlusion. In our clinic, all kind of braces are used, based on individualised treatment plan.
These are the different types of braces:
– Clear braces
– Ceramic braces
– Lingual braces
– Clear Aligners or Invisalign
– Self-ligating braces
– Traditional metal braces
How long do I have to wear braces?
The duration of your orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the initial problem and is rather individual-specific. An orthodontic treatment can last fror 6 months to 30 months, but in most cases lasts for around 22 months.
Do I need to brush my teeth more often when I have braces?
Yes, braces will increase plaque retention significantly, so extra care in brushing is essential during treatment to keep your teeth clean and gums healthy. Brushing at least three times a day is essential and our team will show you how to brush your teeth properly after your braces are placed.
Do I need to visit my dentist while having braces?
It is very crucial to visit your dentist every 4-6 months during orthodontic treatment for checkups and regular cleanings. Our team will help with a referral to your dentist. An increase in patients’ mouth bacterial load is often observed during treatment as braces retain more plaque and make brushing more challenging. Therefore, frequent dental visits are essential to closely monitor oral health and prevent cavities of the teeth and gum disease. We will be working closely with your dentist in case of any problems to provide appropriate solutions to any problems that may rise.
Is an orthodontic treatment a painful procedure?
Having braces is not painful! You may feel some mild discomfort for the first days after the placement of braces especially during eating. This discomfort will be there for few days as the teeth, gums and cheeks are getting used to the new braces. Eating soft food make things easier.
Why some teeth shift after treatment?
Teeth tend to move naturally throughout our lifetime. This is however more frequently observed after the end of an orthodontic treatment, and the use of a retainer is a very effective way to prevent such a move and maintain the successful outcome of the orthodontic treatment.
How long do I have to wear my retainer?
The longer the retainer is used the more effective it is. Retainers are critical to ensure the longevity of an orthodontic treatment’s good outcome. Their use nightly for 3-5 years following treatment is highly recommended.
How much does an orthodontic treatment cost?
Treatment price varies depending on the severity of the case and the technique that is decided to be followed. Dr Economou will discuss with you the price of all available treatment alternatives and present feasible payment options before you decide whether or not you proceed with treatment.
I had braces and now as an adult my teeth moved. What can I do?
In these cases a re-treatment is often the optimal option and usually this kind of treatment takes less than a new orthodontic treatment. In case a change in your smile or bite is noticed getting in touch with your orthodontist as early as possibly can allow resolving the alignment of your teeth with either a light re-treatment or with a simple adjustment of your retainer if possible.