A plate for correcting teeth looks like a small arc of wire that wraps around the outside of the dentition. This is a removable or non-removable complex orthodontic structure installed on the jaw to correct aesthetic defects and restore chewing function in case of its violation or loss.
The device works by putting pressure on the bone tissue. As the treatment progresses, the screws need to be re-tightened periodically to maintain the therapeutic effect. As a result, after a year or two, you can acquire an attractive even smile.
What is the name of the plate for straightening the teeth? The doctor will understand the patient, no matter how he puts it. Brackets are often confused with retainers, but these designs have slightly different functions.
Indications for use
The device is placed, if necessary:
- Prevent possible displacement of teeth, keep them in the correct, natural position;
- Correct the shape of the jaw bones or the width of the palate;
- Expand interdental distances, get rid of crowding (in children);
- Fix the result after wearing braces;
- Slow down bone growth.
There are contraindications, but they are few:
- Severe mental disorders;
- Some respiratory disorders;
- Allergy to the metal from which the device is made;
- Exacerbation of periodontal disease.
If the oral cavity is not sanitized, there are caries, and gum problems and the enamel looks bad: before you start wearing a children’s or adult plate to straighten your teeth, you need to get rid of concomitant diseases.
When is the best time to bet
The device is used both at a young and at a more mature age, depending on the needs of the client. If there are no significant jaw defects and only supporting or fixing therapy is required, this design can be used in adult patients, however, only non-removable versions are placed for them – the removable one does not provide enough pressure on the formed dentition to keep it in a normal position.
When they put plates to align children’s teeth, how are they made, what are they called and what are they for? The best option is considered to be 5-6 years old, sometimes the device is installed for babies (at 3-4), but the final decision is made only by the dentist. It is popular to use a lightweight orthodontic device instead of braces in adolescents, up to 12 (rarely up to 15-16) years old – mainly to correct minor malocclusion and alignment.
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In adulthood, the correction of dentition is carried out with more complex systems or aligners, but there are cases when the use of archwires is prescribed for adults.
Varieties of designs
What are the plates for correcting teeth (in particular, for children), and what are they called and look like? There are several types of dental braces – they are chosen by the doctor during a preliminary examination, depending on the severity and nature of the defects, as well as the characteristics of the patient’s lifestyle.
The main classification is the division into removable and non-removable devices. Removable – not as effective as fixed ones, but more convenient to use – they do not have to be worn when they cause great inconvenience, do not need to be eaten or can be easily removed for cleaning or tightening.
Fixed
Such plates for teeth look almost like braces and are metal arcs equipped with locks.
It is they who are installed by adults to correct the straightness of the dentition. Depending on the need, the dentist may suggest putting any of the following options:
- Single jaw – in them the design is supplemented with one or more screws, which are tightened from time to time. They are used if the dentition is shortened or narrowed.
- With a retraction arch on a plastic base. The wire springs, create the desired effect. Such a device can be installed both on the upper and lower jaw to correct its frontal part.
- With a hand-shaped process, the function of which is to apply pressure on the tooth neck for greater efficiency. It is used to correct individual visible defects.
- Bruckle apparatus. Such a plate for teeth alignment looks like a regular bracket, but it is additionally equipped with an inclined plane and a springy arc.
- Andresen-Goypl activator. It is used in pediatric dentistry if the bone tissue is not growing fast enough to stimulate its growth. Can correct bite.
- Frenkel apparatus (also helps young patients), consisting of buccal shields, labial pads (to retract the lips), and a strong frame. Designed to correct defects in the front of the jaws.
Removable
These designs are simpler than non-removable ones and are usually made of plastic, metal hooks take on the function of fasteners, and sometimes there are additional screws and springs. Correction of teeth with plates that can be removed usually takes longer, and they are used only in simple cases when a significant change in the state of the dentition is not required. Such devices are worn mainly by children, often as rehabilitation after more serious orthodontic treatment with braces (instead of retainers).
Differences between removable and non-removable braces
The first can be considered a lightweight option. Such arcs:
- Cheaper than those that cannot be removed on their own;
- Not very effective for noticeable problems, more suitable for maintenance therapy.
What does a removable dental plate look like? This is a construction made of soft plastic, it is attached to metal hooks behind the teeth. Children’s options are often decorated with sequins or colored to make them more enjoyable for the child to use.
A definite plus is that this option can not be worn all the time, getting rid of the device at the time of eating, and in some cases even sleeping (as prescribed by a doctor). However, they must be used as often as possible, otherwise, there will be no visible effect: sometimes even a break of one day greatly complicates the treatment.
Installation
Before making an impression of the plate for correcting teeth and placing (putting on) them, the patient undergoes a complete dental and orthodontic examination, including an x-ray of the entire jaw. After that, plaster models are individually made, on the basis of which arcs are made. The structure of the oral cavity of each patient is unique, and it is impossible to use brackets created for one person in the treatment of another. The structure’s base should tightly wrap around the gums and the dental contour, and the structure itself should securely fix the device in the desired position, exerting pressure on the places that require correction.
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The system must be cleaned regularly – the formation of plaque and stone on it leads to inflammation and the development of caries. If a removable version is used, it should be left overnight in a disinfectant solution about once a week.
If the design assumes the presence of a screw, it must be tightened and lubricated as necessary.
If the braces are removed, it is permissible to remain without them only during meals and daily hygiene (sometimes even sleep), even if they cause discomfort: without constant exposure to the jaw, there will be no desired effect. Before getting used to the plates for correcting teeth, a person, especially a child, needs an adaptation period – on average, it is one and a half to two weeks. However, there should not be severe pain and friction: if they are observed, you should contact your dentist.
If problems arise with the device, you should immediately sign up for a consultation with an orthodontist, as a break in treatment can adversely affect its final. Often it is not difficult to fix the problem (only a specialist should do this), but in some cases, it is necessary to completely replace the structure.
Photos before and after wearing a plate for correcting teeth – what the result of treatment looks like
Therapy of malocclusion or dentition is not a quick process, but the result speaks for itself. For example – photos “after”.
Comparison with braces
Correction arcs and more complex systems have different functions. The former is intended to maintain the result or correct minor defects in the dentition, while the latter can even significantly change it.
In most cases, brackets are placed only on small patients and adolescents – they do not have enough pressure to change the already-formed jaw. However, the final decision is made by the dentist.
How long to wear the design
Before the doctor installs the plates on the teeth of children or when he puts them on adults, he makes a preliminary calculation of the time it will take to treat the pathology. This period is approximate and may be reduced or increased depending on the individual response and the speed of curvature correction. On average, a fixed system is worn for a year or two, followed by the installation of a retainer to fix the result (it is used for as long as possible). If the archwire is placed on a child whose jaw is in the formation stage, most likely the device will require replacement approximately every six months.
To obtain accurate information on how long and how to wear dental plates correctly, it is necessary to see at least the first treatment results.
How to care for braces
The basic principle of caring for fixed archwires is thorough cleaning several times a day using a brush and floss (dental floss). In the case of removable ones, the process is a bit more complicated. Necessary:
- When eating, remove the system, after (before putting on) – thoroughly clean and rinse the mouth;
- Do not forget about the weekly deep cleaning of the device using special solutions and gels;
- Strictly follow the recommendations of the dentist on the regularity of using the device – depending on the severity of the pathology and design features, you need to wear it for several hours a day.
If the arc is equipped with a screw, it should be regularly treated with vegetable oil to prevent it from stagnation, and then carefully turned clockwise and counterclockwise.
For children
How to wear a plate for correcting teeth in a child depends on the age at which it is placed. Here, too, you need to listen to your specialist. The task of the parents is to make sure that the son or daughter puts on the device on time and does not take it off without the knowledge of the elders (for example, at school or kindergarten). In the event of a breakdown, it is urgent to contact a doctor for repair or replacement.
The child’s jaw needs less time to change, so the screw will have to be tightened more often than in the case of an adult patient. It is important to monitor the uniform pressure on the dentition and control the degree of bite correction.
The plate for the teeth of a child may differ from the “adult” version in design – they are made of color, and the metal is decorated with sparkles. Due to this, often children’s devices are more expensive than usual ones, but this can be justified: if you make a medical device an analog of jewelry, it will be easier for a small patient to get used to it, and he will become less capricious from having to wear an orthodontic structure in his mouth.
For adults
People over 16 years old are most often put not on lightweight thin arcs, but on braces or aligners resembling sports caps (if a removable option is needed), but there are situations when brackets are chosen by the doctor – this usually happens if the patient does not require large-scale treatment. It is easier for an adult than for children to explain how to properly put a plate on your teeth and take it off, and how it works – in the future, it is enough just to follow these recommendations and not forget about hygiene.
Retention devices after braces removal
Even high-quality orthodontic intervention is not a guarantee that after the completion of the correction, the situation will not return to its original course, and the curvature will not return. To minimize the risk of this, after wearing the system (usually one and a half to two years), a supporting and fixing therapy is applied, since the elements of the jaw retain increased mobility and tend to return to their old position. The process usually takes several years, 1.5 to 2 times longer than the treatment, which is exactly what a dental plate is for.
The use of an arc is not associated with such discomfort as using a bracket system, and after it, the result will be almost imperceptible. Also, it will not cause inconvenience to a person who is accustomed to careful oral care.
As a retailer, not only wire elements can be used, but also caps that are put on the teeth. The number of hours per day during which the retention device must be worn is determined by the doctor based on the mobility of the patient’s jaw.
Advantages and disadvantages of plates
The advantages of fixed orthodontic brackets include:
- Effectiveness against bite anomalies, cracks, accuracy;
- Relatively low cost;
- No need for active actions of the patient (especially important for children – it is enough to follow simple recommendations for operation);
- The ability to save the entire row without removing the “excess”, as before bracket systems;
- Expansion of the jaw (in babies), so that subsequently the permanent incisors and molars erupt correctly and do not interfere.
Before you start wearing braces, you should also read the list of potential inconveniences:
- Inefficiency with significant pathologies;
- The possibility of an allergic reaction to plastic or metal alloy components;
- Risk of gum inflammation (in this case, consultation with the attending orthodontist is required);
- Discomfort when wearing (especially initially);
- The likelihood of a change in diction (the patient will have to adapt to the new state, do not plan important meetings for the period of adaptation);
- Lack of aesthetic appeal (it is better to find out everything about the condition of the teeth in advance and clarify what the dental plate looks like for a child or an adult).
How effective are the devices
If the problem is not running, the arcs are enough to get a smooth, beautiful smile and get rid of defects. The most accurate forecast can only be given by an orthodontist – he will also advise which device to choose.
The best option is to use the design at a young age, as this reduces the likelihood that a re-correction will be needed after adulthood. The doctor will select the optimal wire thickness to achieve the effect.
Dental veneers cost
The service can be provided to a minor citizen of Russia free of charge upon presentation of a compulsory medical insurance policy – this is included in the territorial program of state guarantees for medical care (although sometimes you have to wait). Before the children put the plates on the teeth, casts are taken from them.
In different commercial organizations, the price varies from 7-10 to 30 thousand rubles, depending on the configuration and complexity of the case. Individual devices are more expensive than conventional arcs: for example, the Frenkel apparatus can cost up to 22 thousand, and a single-jaw design varies depending on the number of screws in it.
Specialists of the clinic “Dentika” invite patients for consultations and installation of orthodontic systems that correct the bite and dentition. We will tell you in detail about how it works, what looks is called and what the plate for teeth alignment for children and adults do, what kind of bite it is placed on, we will help you choose the option that suits you. We work in Voronezh 7 days a week and are always ready to provide qualified assistance!