Orthodontics
At Clínica São Dente Orthodontics 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.
Alterations in the growth and development of the maxillofacial complex can lead to disturbances in the temporomandibular joint, masticatory function and to the development of facial asymmetries.
A first orthodontic assessment for children is recommended around 5-6 years of age.
Another key moment that should be monitored occurs around the age of 10-12, during the final phase of the transition between baby teeth and permanent teeth.
During your first orthodontic appointment, an orthodontic study will be carried out to assess 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 harmonious and balanced smile. Apart from the obvious aesthetic advantage, dental braces improve the way we bite together and even our daily oral hygiene.
There are different types of braces with specific indications:
- Treatment with “clear” 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 clear aligners
Clear dental aligners allow orthodontic treatment to be carried out more discreetly and comfortably. Treatment is planned digitally and dental correction is carried out through daily use of invisible aligners.
Every 1 or 2 weeks, the patient changes from one aligner to the next, until they reach the correct position of their teeth originally planned.
Clear aligners allow treatment to be carried out without restrictions, as they can be removed for eating and daily oral hygiene.
Benefits of clear aligners
Clear aligners are practically invisible and hardly anyone notices that you’re wearing them. Knowing that clear aligners are removable, you can eat and drink freely during your orthodontic treatment by simply removing them at mealtimes. You should also remove your aligners to brush your teeth and floss to keep 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 dental practice making adjustments. Finally, the Invisalign® system allows you to see your results virtually and consult your treatment plan before you start.
Clinical Cases
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Dr. Maria Cristina Faria Teixeira
Doctor and dentist with postgraduate training at the following institutions:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Transparent Aligners
What are aligners made of?
Clear aligners are made from a clear thermoplastic material developed exclusively for the Invisalign® system.
Is treatment with clear aligners painful?
Some people may experience slight discomfort for a few days after a new aligner has been fitted. This feeling is normal and is usually described as pressure. Pressure is 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 clear aligners correct this?
Are there any food restrictions during my orthodontic treatment?
No. Unlike traditional braces with brackets and archwires, the clear aligners allows you to eat freely during treatment sinse you can remove the aligners to eat and drink.
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, your 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 exhibit 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, 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.
