Orthodontist Zakopane – at the Medical Clinic Podhale Art Dental Center. We cordially invite you!

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the correction of improper alignment of teeth and jaws. Crooked teeth are more difficult to clean and are more likely to fall out as a result of tooth decay and periodontitis. Additionally, they put a strain on the masseter muscles, which can cause headaches, TJ syndrome, as well as neck, shoulder and back pain. Crooked or misplaced teeth can adversely affect the appearance. The benefits of orthodontic treatment include: improvement in the health of the oral cavity and appearance, as well as a greater chance of preserving teeth throughout life.

Only the dentist or orthodontist is able to determine whether the patient may benefit from orthodontic treatment. Based on diagnostic tools that include a complete medical and dental history, the orthodontist can decide if orthodontic treatment should be used. He also develops a treatment plan that is best for a given patient.

Candidates for orthodontic treatment may be those who exhibit the following symptoms:

• Upper overshot mouth, in which the upper front teeth are too far forward (sticking out) over the lower teeth,
• mandible protrusion – the appearance of a “bulldog” when the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth are set too far back,
• cross bite where the upper teeth do not overlap slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting normally,
• open bite – a free space between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth when the back teeth touch each other,
• displacement of the centerline where the center of the upper front teeth is not in line with the center of the lower front teeth,
• gaps – spaces or gaps between teeth resulting from tooth loss or a situation in which the teeth do not “fill” the mouth,
• crowding of teeth – if there are too many teeth and they do not fit into the alveolar process.

There are many different types of appliances, both fixed and removable, for moving teeth, exercising muscles, and promoting jaw growth. These devices work by exerting gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. The effectiveness of orthodontic methods depends on the severity of the problem.

Orthodontic appliances

The most commonly used fixed devices consist of rings, wires and locks. The rings are attached around the teeth to anchor the braces. On the other hand, brackets are most often glued to the front surface of the teeth. The wire arches pass through the locks and are attached to the rings. Clamping the wire arch causes pressure to be applied to the teeth, which gradually moves them into the correct position. The brackets are usually adjusted monthly to achieve the desired results. Such treatment may last from several months to several years. The orthodontic appliances in use today are smaller, lighter and look much less “metallic” than they used to be in the past. They come in bright colors for kids as well as distinct styles that many adults prefer.

Special fixed braces

Used to control unwanted habits, such as thumb-sucking or tongue-pushing. These devices are attached to the teeth with rings. Due to the fact that they are very uncomfortable to eat, they should be used as a last resort.

Fixed distance control devices

If a child loses a tooth early, an appliance is used that maintains the space until the appearance of a permanent tooth. A ring is attached to the tooth next to the free space and the wire is stretched to the tooth on the opposite side of the free space.

Aligners (aligner type)

An alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances for adults. Increasingly, serial aligners are being used to move teeth in the same way as fixed appliances, but without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are almost invisible and can be removed while eating, brushing your teeth or flossing.

Movable distance-keeping apparatus

The function of these devices is the same as that of the fixed distance keepers. They are made of an acrylic base that fits over the jaw and plastic or wire branches that are placed between the individual teeth to keep the spaces between them open.

Jaw repositioning appliances

Also known as lifts, they are worn on the upper or lower jaw and help train the jaw to close in a more favorable position. More importantly, they are used in dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint .

Lip and cheek separators

They are used for keeping lips or cheeks away from teeth. The muscles of the lips and cheeks can put pressure on the teeth, and these separators help relieve that pressure.

Palatal expander (retainer)

The apparatus is intended for widening the arch of the upper jaw. It is a plastic plate that fits over the roof of the mouth. The outward pressure exerted on the plate by the screws forces the joints in the palate bones to open longitudinally, causing the palate surface to widen.

Movable buckles

These braces are worn on the mouth of the mouth and properly prevent the teeth from shifting to their previous position. Once modified, they can also be used to prevent thumb sucking.

Head-mounted lift

This apparatus consists of a strap placed on the back of the head and attached at the front to a metal wire or facial arch. The appliance slows the growth of the upper jaw and holds the posterior teeth where they are while the front teeth are retracted.

Orthodontist Zakopane at the Medical Clinic Podhale Art. In our clinic, we offer several different types of appliances – from classic metal appliances to the so-called aesthetic – discreet and almost invisible:

• ceramic,
• sapphire,
• Invisalign and Clear Aligner.

Invisalign and Clear Aligner are devices in the form of transparent overlays (splints), made individually based on the results of measuring the patient’s tooth deflection. The overlays are invisible, and most importantly, they can be removed, e.g. to brush your teeth.

As mentioned, these systems are slightly different:

• Invisalign provides for wearing each set of aligners of the same thickness for two weeks,
• in the case of Clear Aligner, we additionally receive a set of overlays of different thicknesses and we wear each one consecutively for a week.

Feel free to contact our facility – orthodontist Zakopane, Chramcówki 7, tel: +48 570 401 401