Braces are metal clasps that are attached to the teeth. But they themselves do not correct the position of the teeth - the braces system does this. The main element of the system is the arc. It is this that affects the teeth, causing them to move. To do this, the arch is changed several times during the treatment process.
Arches for braces are made of a metal alloy. Most often it is nickel and titanium or titanium and molybdenum. At the request of the patient, you can choose an arch with a white coating - it visually goes well with ceramic or sapphire braces and is almost invisible. True, the white coating wears off quickly, so such an arch can be considered more as an option for a special occasion, for example, a wedding or graduation.
With a white arch, transparent braces are almost invisible
Basic properties of the arc:
- Strength. Braces can come off from the teeth, especially if you do not follow the rules of nutrition (gnaw nuts, crackers). But it is almost impossible to break or bend the arc.
- Flexibility and resilience. Regardless of what position the arch takes, it will tend to its original shape, similar to half an oval (except for the arch of lingual braces - it repeats the shape of the regular dentition not from the outside, but from the inside, so it looks different).
No matter how bent the arch is at the beginning of treatment, it tends to return to its shape
- Hypoallergenic. The arc is made of a material that does not cause allergies and a metallic taste in the mouth. It is not magnetic and does not “ring” at the airport when going through security.
Why are the arcs different in cross-sectional shape?
All arches for vestibular brace systems differ in thickness and cross-sectional shape. And this difference is important in the process of correcting the bite.
Arcs vary in thickness and cross-section
At the beginning of treatment, an arch with a circular cross-section is installed. She is the thinnest. It is inserted into the grooves of the bracket, which are rectangular on the inside. Therefore, the round arc does not completely fill the grooves.
The fact is that by the start of treatment, the patient’s teeth have been in the wrong position for 10–20 years or even longer (depending on how much time has passed since the formation of a permanent bite). Therefore, in the first month of treatment you should not exert too much pressure on them - this will cause great discomfort. First you just need to start moving your teeth.
The thinner the arch, the less space it takes up in the bracket grooves and the softer the effect on the teeth.
After 1–2 months of wearing braces, the roots of the teeth are already in a more mobile state. Many patients feel as if their teeth are loose. This is only partly true: the teeth do move, but the loosening is limited by the braces system and is not worth worrying about.
But now you can install a more rigid arch with a square cross-section. It fills the grooves of the braces more tightly, but still not completely. Square arches are used for several months during the main stage of treatment.
Square arch braces
At the final stage, it is the turn of the rectangular arc - the thickest and toughest. It completely fills the grooves of the braces, fixing the position of the teeth. This arch is put on when the desired result is achieved. Its function is to stabilize the teeth.
Braces cannot be removed immediately after teeth are straightened. You need to go through one more stage of treatment to consolidate the result. Patients go through this stage emotionally difficult: the teeth are already straight, but the braces are not removed and the arch is thick and noticeable. But this is necessary for complete treatment.
ANOMALIES OF DENTAL ARCH RELATIONSHIP
Anomalies of the dental arches are mainly congenital pathologies and manifest themselves in lengthening, shortening, narrowing or expansion of the dentition or its individual sections. There are also disturbances in the relationship of the dental arches, when there is an asymmetry in the location of the upper or lower jaw in relation to each other. These pathologies are identified during examination and classified depending on the clinical picture.
For information about prices and treatment times, call:
+7
or fill out the feedback form:
Types of dental arch relationship anomalies
Pathologies of the dental system that affect changes in the position of the dental arches include distal (prognathic), mesial (medial), deep, open and cross bites.
- Distal bite. One of the most common pathologies diagnosed with baby teeth or their replacement with permanent ones. Manifests itself in the form of protrusion of the upper jaw in relation to the lower jaw. The causes of development may be disturbances in the size and shape of the dentition or its underdevelopment. This pathology can also be determined visually by the protrusion of the upper lip and visible front teeth. Typical facial features are a shortened lower part of the face, a half-open mouth and chin folds. Distal bite causes disruption of chewing and speech functions and therefore requires timely treatment.
- Mesial bite. The clinical picture of this pathology is the advancement of the lower dentition in relation to the upper one when the jaws are closed. Outwardly, this anomaly is especially noticeable when you look at a person in profile. It is characterized by a massive chin protruding forward and a recessed upper lip. The reasons for the development of pathology include a number of factors: birth trauma, disease, improper feeding, premature loss of upper teeth. Like the distal bite, the mesial bite causes not only discomfort, but also disturbances in speech and the process of chewing food.
- Deep bite. A fairly common violation of the relationship of the dental arches, in which the lower incisors overlap the upper incisors by at least a third. With severe pathology, this term is replaced by the concept of excessive incisal overlap. This anomaly is classified into vertical and horizontal. When vertical, the incisors and canines of the upper jaw overlap the lower ones by more than half. When horizontal, the normal distance between the vestibular surface of the lower teeth and the palatal part of the upper teeth is disrupted. Pathology develops due to genetic and postpartum factors (congenital anomalies, chronic diseases). Treatment should begin already during the eruption of baby teeth. Elimination of minor incisal overlap in adulthood is not required, but in case of severe pathology, mouth guards and braces are used.
- Open bite. This pathology is diagnosed when the upper and lower jaws are not completely closed in the frontal region. This is the most severe form of dental arch relationship abnormality, most often found in young children. It makes it difficult to chew food and pronounce certain sounds, and dries out the mucous membrane. In addition to congenital causes, external factors can also contribute to the formation of an open bite: poor nutrition, poor physical activity, and even lack of sunlight. Treatment of an open bite is a rather complex process, but today this disorder can be eliminated if not only therapeutic but also preventive measures are taken.
- Crossbite. This anomaly manifests itself in a discrepancy between the position of the upper and lower jaw in the transverse direction. In other words, the jaws are displaced relative to each other in the horizontal plane, which is noticeable during normal examination. As a rule, the pathology affects the anterior and lateral parts of the dentition. Its causes may be unfavorable heredity, early loss of baby teeth, childhood diseases, and facial injuries. Crossbite causes asymmetric development of bones and joints, impaired speech and chewing function, so its treatment should begin from a very early age.
Treatment of anomalies in the relationship of the dental arches
Treatment is prescribed after examination, diagnostic examination and diagnosis. With a professional approach and timely treatment, these pathologies of the dental system can be corrected and eliminated. For example, treatment of distal and mesial occlusion is very effective. In childhood, measures are taken to normalize the shape of the dentition with preventive measures. If the jaw has already formed, then using orthodontic devices and bite plates, the upper jaw is expanded and the front teeth are moved back. A similar principle is used to treat mesial occlusion, correcting the relationship of the anterior teeth. Other types of pathologies also have their own treatment regimens, which the orthodontist will prescribe for you when you visit our clinic.
It is important to change the arc on time
At each stage of treatment you need to get a certain result. Once it is reached and the teeth have assumed their new position, the archwire no longer works. And if you often postpone doctor's appointments, each week of delay prolongs the entire treatment.
Wearing one archwire for too long does not harm your teeth, but it does not make sense.
Treatment by an orthodontist requires self-discipline. Be prepared to adjust your schedule around your doctor's appointments. And remember that all this is done for the sake of health and a beautiful smile. And this is the best incentive!
Anomalies of the dentition
Anomalies of the dentition are characterized by a change in the shape of the typical dentition of the upper or lower jaw, which is caused by their narrowing or expansion in various areas and is expressed by crowding of the teeth, their rotation along the axis, vestibular or oral teething, partial edentia, the presence of supernumerary teeth, diastemas and etc. The following irregular forms of dentition are distinguished when they are narrowed:
- acute-angled, when the narrowing is localized in the canine area;
- saddle-shaped, when the narrowing is more pronounced in the premolar area;
- V-shaped, when the dentition is narrowed in the lateral areas, the frontal area acts as an acute angle;
- trapezoidal, when the frontal area is narrowed and flattened;
- common, when all the teeth - frontal and lateral - stand closely together;
- asymmetrical, in which the narrowing is more pronounced on one side of the dentition of the upper or lower jaw, resulting in a crossbite.
The main etiological factors of anomalies in the shape of the dental arches are underdevelopment of the jaws and their deformations caused by diseases of early childhood.
Treatment and prevention of dental anomalies
It should be remembered that dental anomalies are a serious disease for patients of all ages and professions and require long-term and thorough therapy to maximize or completely eliminate dental pathologies. Modern dentistry and advanced equipment are capable (if not completely, then maximally) of eliminating the manifestations of dental anomalies. A timely visit to a specialist in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine a treatment plan can guarantee a favorable prognosis for recovery. Dentists will be able not only to restore the functional abilities of the jaw, but also to eliminate various aesthetic defects.
Prevention of the formation of dental anomalies begins with taking care of the correct intrauterine and postnatal development of the child. This includes:
- balanced diet;
- timely correction of endocrine disorders;
- regular visits to the dentist to carry out the necessary preventive and therapeutic measures;
It is important to monitor your own health in the first days after the birth of your child.
Early breastfeeding and a balanced diet will help avoid many dental anomalies. We should not forget about a complete preventive examination by the dentist - at least once every six months. Moscow metro station Zvezdnaya, Danube Avenue, 23
Malocclusions
Malocclusions are deviations from the normal relationship of the dentition of the upper and lower jaws. These deviations can be considered in three directions:
Sagittal
Prognathia (distal bite) - characterized by a mismatch in the relationship of the dentition due to the protrusion of the upper teeth or distal displacement of the lower jaw. Distal occlusion may be partial or total; jaw, skeletal or dental; with or without displacement of the lower jaw. Etiology: congenital structural feature of the facial skeleton, childhood diseases affecting the development of the skeletal system, inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, etc.
Progenia (mesial bite) - characterized by inconsistency of the dentition due to protrusion of the lower teeth or mesial displacement of the lower jaw. It may be partial or complete; jaw, skeletal or dental; with or without displacement of the lower jaw. Etiology: congenital structural feature of the bones of the facial skeleton, incorrect method of artificial feeding, early loss of primary molars, etc.
Transversal
Transversal narrowed dentition - discrepancy between the width of the upper and lower dentition
Vertical
- deep bite - a closure of the dentition in which the front teeth are largely overlapped by the antagonists. Depending on the vestibular or oral inclination, two types of deep bite are distinguished - vertical and horizontal. Etiology: congenital structural feature of the facial skeleton, childhood diseases affecting the growth and development of bones, early loss of primary molars. The main goals of treatment are to separate the bite, expand the narrowed dentition on the jaw that is lagging behind in development, and, if necessary, move the lower jaw.
- open bite - characterized by the presence of a gap between the teeth with central occlusion. This gap occurs more often in the area of the front teeth. There are two forms of open bite - vertical and horizontal. Etiology: rickets, difficulty in nasal breathing, early loss of frontal teeth, wide diastema.
- crossbite - characterized by the reverse closure of the teeth of the right or left half of the bite. Etiology: delay in the replacement of milk teeth by permanent ones, incorrect position of the tooth buds and subsequent incorrect eruption of these teeth, uneven development of the jaws and dental arches.