Orthodontics
Orthodontics at Clínica São Dente focuses on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems caused by malpositioned teeth and/or disturbances in the development and skeletal growth of the jaws.
During the first orthodontic appointment we consider it essential to assess:
- The influence of genetic factors that can condition the conservation of family cases;
- The presence of habits and behaviors such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, early loss of teeth, among others.
Alterations in the growth and development of the maxillofacial complex can lead to disturbances not only in the temporomandibular joint, but also in masticatory function, diction and the development of facial asymmetries.
Clínica São Dente therefore recommends scheduling a preventive orthodontic appointment at around 5-6 years of age.
Another key moment that should be monitored by your orthodontist occurs around the age of 10-12, during the final phase of the transition between milk teeth and permanent teeth.
At your first orthodontic appointment, an orthodontic study is carried out to assess the existence of skeletal and dental discrepancies and the possible need for braces.
What is a dental appliance?
Dental appliances are medical devices used in dentistry to correct the incorrect positioning of teeth and/or jaws. The advantages of orthodontic treatment are related to the correction of dental malposition and malocclusion.
This treatment allows the teeth to be aligned, providing a more beautiful, harmonious and balanced smile. Apart from the obvious aesthetic advantage, dental braces improve the way we clench our teeth, the way we speak and eat, and even our daily oral hygiene.
There are different types of braces with specific indications:
- Treatment with “transparent” removable appliances (aligners).
- Treatment with conventional fixed appliances (brackets).
- Treatment with braces combined with orthognathic surgery.
- Treatment with fixed or removable orthopedic appliances.
Orthodontics with transparent aligners
Transparent dental aligners allow orthodontic treatment to be carried out more discreetly and comfortably. Treatment is planned digitally and dental correction is carried out through the daily use of virtually invisible aligners.
Every 1 or 2 weeks, the patient changes from one aligner to the next, until they reach the correct position of the smile they originally planned.
The aligners allow treatment to be carried out without restrictions, as they can be removed for eating and daily oral hygiene.
Discover the benefits that clear braces can bring you.
Transparent aligners are practically invisible and usually hardly anyone notices that you’re wearing them. Knowing that the dental aligners are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want during the treatment by simply removing the aligners at mealtimes. You should also remove the aligners to brush your teeth and floss as normal to maintain your oral hygiene routine.
Unlike traditional fixed braces, there are no brackets or archwires, which means that, in most cases, you spend less time in the clinic making adjustments. Finally, the Invisalign® system allows you to see your results virtually and consult your treatment plan before you start.
Clinical Cases
Book your orthodontic appointment
Dr. Maria Cristina Faria Teixeira
Doctor and dentist with postgraduate training at the following institutions:
Would you like more information or to make an appointment?
Don’t hesitate to contact us. Our extensively trained and highly specialized team will be happy to explain the whole process to you in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transparent Aligners
What are aligners made of and what do they look like?
The virtually invisible aligners are made from a tough medical-grade thermoplastic material developed exclusively for the Invisalign® system. The aligners are made to measure and fit comfortably on your teeth.
Is treatment with clear aligners painful?
Some people may experience slight temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner has been fitted in each new treatment phase. This sensation is normal and is usually described as a feeling of pressure. It’s a sign that the aligners are working and usually disappears after a few days.
My teeth shifted after I got my braces off. Can treatment with transparent aligners correct this?
Yes. A number of patients with clear aligners had already undergone treatment with braces before. The aligner can usually correct the movement that occurs after the appliance has been removed, known as relapse.
Are there any restrictions on what I can eat during treatment?
How often should I use the aligners?
You should always wear your aligners during treatment, except for eating and oral hygiene. The recommended daily use is 22 hours.
Fixed Appliances
Conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets, what are the differences?
When choosing conventional braces, the orthodontist uses coloured elastics to keep the arch inside the brackets. These elastics cause friction on the archwire and encourage plaque build-up. Self-ligating braces, on the other hand, are a low-friction system because they are small doors that fix the archwire to the brackets.
This difference has the great advantage of reducing the friction caused by the elastics on the teeth, i.e. reducing the force needed to move the teeth, thus increasing the speed of treatment and reducing discomfort during tooth movement.
What are the main advantages of self-ligating orthodontics?
- The great advantage of this system is that it allows us to build the ideal appliance for each patient, as it allows us to individualize each bracket according to the original position of the tooth and the desired final movement;
- Another advantage is easier oral hygiene, as the latex material used in the elastics of conventional braces encourages the formation of plaque, unlike self-ligating braces which eliminate the need for elastics;
- Finally, as described above, when compared to conventional orthodontics, self-ligating orthodontics also has the advantages of greater speed and comfort during treatment.
Can you play sports with braces?
Yes. However, in the case of sports with physical contact, individualized protection should be used to prevent soft tissue injuries and fractures to parts of the device.
