DENTAL MEDICINE

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a specialty within dental medicine aimed at preventing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaw positions. Beyond improving aesthetics, it also enhances oral function, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

We treat a variety of orthodontic issues, including

Causes of orthodontic problems

The causes of orthodontic problems are varied and can include:

• - Hereditary factors
• - Parafunctional habits (e.g., thumb sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers...)
• - Functional issues (e.g., poor tongue positioning, mouth breathing...)

Since the causes of orthodontic problems are diverse, it is important to conduct an accurate diagnosis of the patient's situation.

Benefits of orthodontic treatment

• - Aesthetic improvement of the smile and face
• - Increased self-esteem
• - Better dental hygiene
• - Improved gum health
• - Decreased risk of dental cavities
• - Good masticatory and muscular function
• - Balance and stability of the temporomandibular joint
  

to English is "Orthodontic Treatment

Over the years, with the evolution of Dental Medicine, several orthodontic techniques have been developed with the aim of ensuring the best treatment for the patient. Orthodontic treatments aim to correct alterations in dental occlusion and depend on various factors, potentially lasting from a few months to several years, depending on each case. For each patient, a thorough clinical study of the case – an orthodontic study – must be conducted, where specific radiographic exams will be performed, such as lateral cephalometric radiographs, extraoral and intraoral photographs, and dental molds using an intraoral scanner. After this, the dentist will present the best solution for your case.

Conventional fixed appliance – brackets

Dental correction can be performed using conventional fixed orthodontic braces. In this type of treatment, tooth movement is achieved through the placement of brackets and metal arches.

Monthly check-up appointments are held to monitor the treatment, and the total duration of the treatment varies depending on each case.

Invisible devices

Invisible aligners are devices that correct poor dental positions by applying low-intensity forces. The treatment consists of a series of clear, removable plastic trays.

A major advantage of treatment with aligners is that the patient can view a virtual 3D prediction of what the final result of their smile will look like even before starting the treatment.

The aligners must be worn continuously, but the patient can remove them for eating, drinking, and their daily oral hygiene routine. The treatment is monitored through regular visits to the dentist, during which the next set of aligners will be provided, in varying numbers.

Orthodontics and Orthognathic Surgery

In certain cases, simply using the appliance to correct the dental problem may not be sufficient if the issue is also at the skeletal level, that is, concerning the jaws. In these cases, at the Portuguese Institute of the Face, Orthodontics works alongside Orthognathic Surgery, developing a surgical-orthodontic treatment.

This treatment includes the extraction of the wisdom teeth followed by a pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, the duration of which varies from case to case. Once the pre-surgical orthodontic preparation phase is completed, the patient will undergo jaw surgery, followed by a final orthodontic phase. Therefore, the correction of dento-maxillo-facial deformities always involves teamwork between the orthodontist and the surgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN ADULTS ALSO STRAIGHTEN THEIR TEETH?

Yes. Anyone with orthodontic issues can benefit from appropriate orthodontic treatment in adulthood for their specific case.

Do orthodontic appliances cause pain?

The devices may cause some discomfort, especially in the first few hours after being placed or adjusted. However, this discomfort tends to lessen over the days.

Is it necessary to extract teeth to use braces?

Not always. When the size of the dental arch and the size of the teeth are not compatible, tooth extraction may be necessary. Therefore, a careful analysis of each case is essential and fundamental.

"Can one practice sports with fixed equipment?

Yes. However, in the case of contact sports (e.g., rugby, handball, judo, soccer), individualized protection should be used to prevent soft tissue injuries.

POSSO UTILIZAR APARELHOS INVISÍVEIS DURANTE A GRAVIDEZ?

Yes. During pregnancy, maintaining good dental health is essential for the well-being of both the mother and the developing baby. Invisible orthodontics uses aligners that do not require frequent adjustments or exposure to X-rays, which provides greater comfort and peace of mind during pregnancy.

CAN I WHITEN WITH BRACES?

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment with conventional braces, the answer is no. If you are using invisible aligners, the answer is yes. To carry out whitening, the surfaces of the teeth must be clean and free of any debris.