Removable orthodontics
Some people may have jaw and dental problems and seek to find the best way to treat them to get the desired result and treatment of these problems at the lowest cost. There are several types of orthodontic procedures for teeth alignment, each with its own characteristics and benefits. Removable orthodontics is a type of orthodontic treatment in which the patient can remove the orthodontic appliance from his mouth while eating or brushing and then put it back in place.
Therefore, the success of this type of treatment is highly dependent on patient cooperation. This type of treatment may complement another type of orthodontic treatment (fixed orthodontics), a few months before or a few years before the start of fixed orthodontics. However, in some people, due to the size of the anomaly and irregularity of the teeth, it may be an independent treatment and the person can achieve the desired result only by performing mobile orthodontics.
The applications of this type of orthodontics are as follows:
- Treatment of jaw and skeletal problems in children and adolescents
- Elimination of minor dental problems in patients
- As a maintenance treatment after the end of orthodontic treatment fixed at all ages
- Use for people who can not use the orthodontic appliance full time
Types of removable orthodontics
These devices are generally in two forms:
1- The common and widely used type includes a plastic plate with metal components to increase the grip or movement of the teeth.
Applications: Correction of jaw development problems, mild dental dislocations or maintenance treatment
2- Another type that is mainly used as a maintenance treatment after fixed orthodontics and only includes a thin and transparent plastic layer without metal components.
This orthodontic appliance can be used for any jaw. Sometimes it may involve two jaws at the same time. Some types have extraoral components.
What are removable orthodontics for?
At the first visit, the orthodontist will usually explain all the treatment options to the patient and determine if mobile orthodontic treatment is a good way to correct dental and maxillofacial problems. This method is used as a primary treatment, often in minors to correct and change the jaw growth or correct mild dental problems.
Many jaw deformities in childhood and adolescence can be easily treated only with removable orthodontics without surgery and will have lower material and spiritual costs; In case of parental neglect and the end of the developmental period, the only solution to these problems is comprehensive orthodontics with extensive maxillofacial surgery. Therefore, parents are strongly advised to use the guidance of an orthodontist if their child has jaw problems at an early age.
Following fixed orthodontic treatment, a period of mobile orthodontic maintenance treatment is usually used. An example of a fixed orthodontic treatment in which the orthodontic appliance is not removed by the patient can be seen in the image below.
How long should mobile orthodontics be used?
The length of time that mobile orthodontics should be used is not the same for everyone, and this time varies according to the distance of the teeth, their shape, type of jaw and و, and in the initial examination, the dentist can determine that How long do you need to use orthodontics, but it takes an average of 6 months for the initial abnormalities to be removed with removable orthodontics.
Sometimes your dentist may recommend that you use both fixed and removable orthodontics side by side to get your teeth in the desired order, so you should not think that you will only use removable orthodontics during the entire treatment period.
Removable orthodontics are usually used for simple anomalies and do not have the ability to correct complex and rotational anomalies, so fixed orthodontics is used for this group of teeth, which should be used for approximately 18 months to complete the treatment period.
Duration of mobile orthodontic treatment
The duration of treatment with this type of orthodontics depends on the type of skeletal problem and the complexity of the treatment, as well as the growth potential and the degree of cooperation of the patient and can last from 6 months to several years. As the child gets older and the growth potential decreases, the possibility of correcting the jaw problem with a mobile orthodontic appliance decreases.
In cases where removable orthodontics (plaque) is prescribed as a maintenance treatment following fixed orthodontic treatment, the duration of treatment is at least 1 year. In these cases, after removing the fixed orthodontic appliance, removable orthodontics (retainer) are needed to keep the teeth fixed in their new location. Usually in the first 6 months, retainers are used full time (24 hours a day) and in the next 6 months part time (12 hours or night) because the teeth are more fixed in their new location.
Mobile orthodontic treatment experience (plaque)
At the beginning of treatment, especially in types of orthodontic plaques that have metal components, after the initial adjustment and placement of the plaque, the patient may feel a slight discomfort that is normal and disappears after a short time. In some cases, there is a disorder in the pronunciation and pronunciation of some sounds, which is temporary and with practice (such as singing loudly) and speaking frequently, the language gradually gets used to the device and the problem is solved. (Actions during treatment)
Advantages and disadvantages of removable orthodontics
This type of orthodontics in childhood and adolescence can help control and improve skeletal problems of the jaw, and eliminate the risk of extensive jaw surgery in old age. It is also a simple solution to minor dental problems in adolescents. It usually costs much less than fixed orthodontics and can be used for a wide range of patients.
The patient can take it out of the mouth when eating or brushing, as well as exercising, which will make it easier and more effective to maintain good oral hygiene. This ability to remove the device is the so-called “double-edged sword”, which means that in addition to the above advantage, the treatment is completely dependent on patient cooperation. If the patient does not cooperate, mobile orthodontics will be of no use, so careful parental control of the child or adolescent undergoing mobile orthodontics is crucial.
Orthodontic plate
There are different types of removable orthodontic plates that can be used according to the method and type of removable orthodontic treatment. The types of orthodontic plates are as follows:
- Invisible orthodontic plaque
- Functional license plates
- Retainer or retainer plates
Take care of removable license plates
Plaques should not be used in cases where there is a possibility of trauma to the face, such as sports activities (including swimming), especially the use of plaques that have extra-oral components (such as retainers or face masks) in these activities is strictly prohibited. The main part of these devices is plastic and is sensitive to moisture loss, so it must always be kept moist. When the plaque is outside the mouth, it should be kept in a container of water or a damp paper towel. Adding a small amount of lemon juice or orange juice to a container of water containing the plaque makes it fragrant and increases the patient’s desire to use the plaque.
Important Note: Plaque should never be placed in hot water.
It is recommended to use special plaque boxes to keep plaque out of the mouth.
Is fixed orthodontics better or removable?
There are different types of orthodontics, and according to the patient’s interests and needs, the dentist decides which type of orthodontics to use, so you can not choose what type of orthodontics you would like to use. The most popular type of orthodontics that most people use is fixed orthodontics; Because it costs more than other orthodontics and most orthodontists are able to perform it, for example, lingual orthodontics is a type of orthodontics that not every dentist is able to use and requires special skills.
Fixed orthodontics should be placed on your teeth for a certain period of time and you will not be able to remove it and you may even have difficulty cleaning your teeth with it; Mobile orthodontics, on the other hand, is not, and you can remove it for 2 hours a day, especially before meals, and put it back on your teeth after brushing.
Is removable orthodontics effective?
Sometimes people may wonder if removable orthodontics work and help their teeth get better shape. To answer this group of people, we must say that if your dentist correctly considers mobile orthodontics to be effective for your teeth, you can get the best results by cooperating and listening to its advice, so it is better to follow your orthodontist’s recommendations well and Do not take your orthodontics out of your mouth for too long, as this will disrupt the dentist’s schedule.
If you do not follow your dentist’s advice, you may not get a proper response on time; So two things are important in getting a good result from removable orthodontics; One is the correct diagnosis of the orthodontist and the other is your cooperation with him, so you should consider yourself responsible for beautifying your teeth.
Can I eat with a removable orthodontic appliance?
It is best to remove your removable plaque from your mouth when eating. Be careful to clean your teeth thoroughly after eating and then put the orthodontic appliance in your mouth to prevent any damage to the orthodontic plaque and of course make eating easier. Try to avoid hard or sticky foods as much as possible. If you use different carbonated drinks or colored drinks, rinse your mouth immediately and use a removable plate.
If the plaque is damaged or broken, the orthodontist should be notified as soon as possible. When you go to the dentist for restoration or other dental procedures, be sure to bring your orthodontic plaque with you and inform the treating dentist.
