What is Comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adults?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. In fact, more than 25% of orthodontic patients today are adults. The biological process involved in tooth movement is the same in adults and children. The health of an individual's teeth, gums, and supporting bone is what is most important in determining the prospects for improving an adult's smile and dental health.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is undertaken for problems that involve alignment of the teeth, how the jaws function and how the top and bottom teeth fit together. The goal of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is to correct the identified problem and restore the occlusion (the bite) to its optimum. Treatment can begin while patients have primary teeth, when they have a mix of primary and permanent teeth, or when all permanent teeth are in. Treatment may consist of one or more phases, depending on the nature of the problem being corrected and the goals for treatment.
Orthodontic care may be coordinated with other types of dental treatment that may include oral surgery (tooth extractions or jaw surgery), periodontal (gum) care and restorative (fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth size enhancement, implants) dental care. When finished with comprehensive treatment, the patient must wear retainers to keep teeth in their new positions.
These are some of the specific goals of comprehensive treatment
- Improved self-confidence associated with a more attractive smile
- Improved function and comfort associated with a proper bite
- Ideal alignment to improve cleansibility of the teeth
- Less stress / strain on jaw joints (TMJs) and facial muscles
- Improved distribution of forces on the teeth which leads to less abnormal wear of tooth surfaces
- Position the teeth to optimize other dental treatments (eg. implants, bridges, veneers, etc.)
When are Comprehensive orthodontics Appropriate?
Gaps between teeth, or teeth that are crowded, turned or protruded are the most common signs that a person might need orthodontic treatment. But sometimes, the need for treatment isn't that obvious. Teeth that appear straight but don't bite together properly may also need fixed to prevent problems such as uneven tooth wear and damage to the jaw joint.
How long does Treatment take?
The length of comprehensive treatment depends on the severity of the problem. If the front teeth have minor crowding or spacing but the back teeth fit together properly, treatment may take as little as 9 - 12 months. By contrast, treatment to correct moderate to severe crowding or spacing or an improper bite typically takes between 18 - 24 months. In some cases, treatment may extend beyond 24 months.
Will Treatment take longer because I am an Adult?
In general, treatment time is dependent on the severity of the problem, patient cooperation, and jaw growth. Adult treatment may take slightly longer since adults have no jaw growth left to aid in bite correction. However, most adults are very cooperative in not breaking their appliances, maintaining good oral hygiene, and wearing auxiliaries (e.g. rubber bands) as prescribed. This compliance can negate most of the increased treatment time.