Orthodontics

Fixed braces are the chief therapeutic medium in the field of orthodontics. They’re made of small brackets and metal wires that connect the brackets to each other. Brackets are the elements that are bonded to the teeth, and they have a small opening for the connective wire.

The wire that gets threaded through the bracket sockets exerts orthodontic force on the teeth, which causes them to move into the desired position. The amount of force depends on the properties of the wire (material, thickness, shape), while the direction of the force is determined by the shape and features of the brackets. In general, the brackets and wires are placed on the outer surface of the teeth, and by using white bands on the brackets, we can make them minimally noticeable and more visually appealing.

Back in the day, brackets were made out of metal, but the next generation braces we make today are made out of ceramic, composite white, sapphire, or combined metal-ceramic brackets. These look more like natural teeth, and are highly requested among patients with high cosmetic criteria.

Mobile devices were once the main medium in orthodontics, but these days are generally used to preserve tooth positioning and for mixed dentition in children of 8-9 years of age.

Mobile braces are made of an acrylic base and wires bent into various shapes. The acrylic base looks similar to the base of mobile dentures, but with wires coming out of it that grip the teeth and pull them into place. The wires and the base form a unit, and the base typically has some sort of screw that allows you to adjust the orthodontic force the brace exerts.

With various types of constructions we can achieve the appropriate effect on the teeth. You can remove mobile braces yourself or adjust them at any time, and the amount of orthodontic force they exert on your teeth depends on how long you wear them.

Retention is an important process that aims to preserve the results of orthodontic treatment. After fixed braces are removed, a retainer is applied to hold the teeth in the position the braces helped them get to.

There’s a difference between fixed and mobile retainers, and both get installed after the completion of orthodontic treatment (braces). Fixed retainers are made of wires that adhere to the teeth, meaning that they stay in the mouth at all times. Mobile retainers are like splints made of transparent plastic, and can be taken out and put back in at any time.

Oftentimes retainers are made out of ordinary orthodontic wire, which are then fixed to the interior of the bottom teeth. They prevent tooth crowding, which can often happen after braces are taken off. Retainers can be made out of transparent splints that cover the biting surfaces of teeth, and sometimes a mobile device (mobile braces) can be used as a temporary retainer.

Seeing as teeth change their positions throughout your life, preserving the results from your orthodontic treatment requires both discipline in wearing your retainer, and a close collaboration with your orthodontic specialist.

Invisible braces (clear aligners) are totally transparent, smooth braces – no wires, no brackets. They’re made of transparent tooth splints that we manufacture using CAD/CAM technology in our own dental laboratory, made to the precise dimensions of your jaw.

This type of brace is an excellent choice for straightening teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. It’s discreet, gentle, safe, and straightens fast – without any discomfort during chewing or smiling.

The transparent brace straightens teeth better than classic braces, because it only repositions the teeth that need to be moved. It requires less checkup visits to the dentist, and you can remove it yourself whenever you need to (like when eating). Even though treatment with the clear aligner takes longer overall than classic braces (3-15 months), its main benefit is its invisibility and discreet wear.