Teeth alignment: main types

Teeth alignment is not the most pleasant procedure, but the effect is amazing. If you are thinking about getting your teeth aligned, you will probably be interested to learn about all the intricacies and nuances of this procedure, types of alignment, prices and reviews of people who have done alignment. So, about everything and in order.

Unfortunately, not all people have straight and beautiful teeth. Crooked teeth can be hereditary or be the result of injury and even disease. But, despite this, crooked teeth cause a lot of inconvenience to their owner and can cause various diseases of the gums and teeth.

Today, medicine has found a solution for crooked, uneven teeth - this is the procedure of teeth alignment. There are many methods and techniques, thanks to which teeth become even. This includes complete removal of teeth with subsequent implantation of dentures and more conservative methods, such as braces.

Having decided on the alignment procedure, it is very important not to save money, as good work will never be for nothing. Before you go for it, choose a suitable clinic, find out what methods their specialists use to align teeth, and what equipment is used to perform the procedure.

Please note that these works are performed by an orthodontist. Therefore, before going to the clinic, visit a dentist and consult with a doctor. The doctor should carefully examine your teeth and gums and only then recommend the most effective methods for alignment. As for the procedure itself, you will not see the results of its work in a day, week or month. Alignment is a long process that is directly related to physiological changes in the oral cavity.

Types of teeth alignment

The most common types of teeth alignment are also a comprehensive treatment of problems associated with gums and teeth. There are several types of alignment, some of them are associated with removable and non-removable orthodontic devices, others, on the contrary, involve the use of special gymnastics. It is much easier to solve the problem of crooked teeth in childhood. But for adult patients, the process of teeth alignment will be long and for these purposes they use bracket systems to correct the bite, removable caps or facing plates that must be glued to the tooth enamel.

If I align the teeth of children, then braces can be used for this. They are very effective at an early age, when the teeth and bone tissue are flexible. To set the teeth in the necessary direction of growth or to solve the problem of malocclusion, trainers are used. A trainer is a special plate made of silicone that must be put on the teeth at night, but during the day it should be worn for no more than one hour. No less effective results are given by such a type of teeth alignment as removable devices made of plastic or metal. Such a design must be worn throughout the day.

For the treatment of adult patients, the same types of alignment are used as when working with children. As a rule, these are braces, glued locks with grooves through which a corrective arc is passed. Veneers are a particularly popular type of teeth alignment. Of course, they cannot cope with very complex dental defects, but they solve minor problems with flying colors. In this case, the patient's smile changes instantly. To learn more about the types of teeth alignment and choose the most suitable one, you need to consult with your orthodontist.

Fast teeth alignment

Quick teeth alignment is simply impossible, as it takes time for the teeth to take the desired shape and growth direction. There are a couple of alignment techniques that allow you to align your teeth as efficiently and relatively quickly as possible.

• Stretching plate - the design narrows or, on the contrary, expands the upper jaw, due to which the position of the teeth changes and corrects. It works most effectively on children from two to five years old.
• A plate with a Bertoni screw is a design similar to the one described above. It gradually expands the upper jaw and can be used to align one individual tooth or an entire row of teeth. The design has many disadvantages, but despite this, it guarantees a 100% alignment result. When wearing such a design, the patient always feels pain and discomfort. The device is selected individually for each patient, depending on the structure of the jaw.
• Fast teeth alignment is also possible with monoblock devices. These are special designs that prevent facial asymmetry due to improper development of the upper or lower jaw.
• An alternative and fast way to align teeth is mouth guards and braces. They are special pads on the teeth, which are made of transparent material. But wearing such systems can cause micro damage to the teeth. The mouth guards are removed during meals, and the period of teeth alignment with them ranges from six months to a year and a half.

An orthodontist will help you decide how to quickly straighten your teeth without causing them harm. When choosing a method and type of alignment, the patient's financial capabilities and, of course, preferences are of great importance. But do not forget that the main thing is not fast, but high quality.

Teeth straightening device

A teeth alignment device is used when braces or mouth guards do not cope with the problem of crooked teeth. Then special orthodontic devices for teeth alignment come to the rescue, which help to expand or significantly reduce the lower or upper jaw, move the dental row a couple of millimeters in any direction.

Features of the teeth alignment device:

• This is a non-removable structure that may cause discomfort to the patient.
• The device is a structure with a metal screw in the center. The device is made only of metal, but plastic is used to make the structure softer and more comfortable to wear.
• The patient who has chosen the device for teeth alignment has rings-hooks placed on the teeth, which are attached to the plate. Due to the fact that the plate exerts a significant load on the teeth, their alignment occurs, while the palate is stretched.
• The screw, which is located in the center of the plate, gradually unscrews and increases the load on the teeth and increases the surface of the device. This allows you to evenly stretch the jaw and align the teeth.
• Additionally, the teeth alignment device may have screws or springs that allow you to eliminate gaps between your teeth. Sometimes screws and springs are attached to the device during use, so that the dental arch can grow in size or to adjust the position of the teeth.

The period of wearing the device depends on the decision of the attending physician. Treatment can last from several weeks to 2-5 months. At the same time, the patient receives the necessary recommendations from the orthodontist and learns to independently adjust the operation of the device. It is necessary to tighten the screw, which is located in the center of the structure, from time to time. As a rule, this procedure must be done every day.

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Teeth straightening trays

Teeth alignment caps are the best treatment option for patients who want to make dental defects less noticeable to others during treatment. Many patients are embarrassed to ask an orthodontist for such a request, believing that metal braces are the only option to solve the problem of crooked teeth. But modern medicine has made sure that teeth alignment has become an accessible, effective and aesthetically gentle procedure that can be used at any age.

Clear aligners for teeth alignment

Transparent mouth guards for teeth alignment are very similar to the device used for teeth whitening or for treating bruxism. Transparent mouth guards are made individually for each patient in dental factories or laboratories. Due to the fact that the mouth guards are transparent and fit tightly to the teeth, they make the process of teeth alignment invisible to others and as comfortable as possible for the patient.

But transparent mouth guards for teeth alignment are not suitable for all patients. Mouth guard manufacturers have made sure that mouth guards are used as effectively as possible, and dishonest orthodontists cannot use them to treat any problem related to teeth alignment. So, if a patient needs to rotate teeth around their axis, mouth guards will not cope with this, braces must be used here. Also, they cannot solve the problem of bite or serious twisting of teeth. Let's consider what problems transparent mouth guards for teeth alignment can help solve.

• Mouth guards are used to straighten teeth in adolescents, children, and adult patients.
• Mouth guards effectively solve the problem of gaps between teeth, and better than braces.
• They help correct minor twists and slight bite disorders.
• They correct the direction of teeth growth, right-left, up-down, as well as the problem of a protruding lower jaw and a small bite.
• Caps can also be used to shift teeth and maintain the basic alignment after wearing braces.

Teeth alignment without braces

Today, teeth alignment without braces is a reality. Now patients do not have to suffer with metal plates in the mouth and hide their smile from others. Caps, aligners and other methods of teeth alignment without braces allow you to effectively, and most importantly, quickly solve the problem of crooked teeth.

Teeth alignment plates

Teeth alignment plates can be removable and non-removable. Each design is a device made of high-quality plastic, which does not contain chemicals, so it is absolutely safe. Teeth alignment plates are attached with metal hooks. So, depending on how seriously it is necessary to align the teeth, the plate may have additional springs and screws, the installation of which affects the overall cost of the teeth alignment plate.

The main advantage of using a plate for teeth alignment is that the plate can be removed at any time. Removable plates are used for minor teeth alignment and the main clients of this device are children and teenagers. So, if necessary, you can install plates that are removed on the upper or lower jaw. The period of wearing plates for teeth alignment is from 1.5 to 2 years, but only an orthodontist can tell you the exact treatment period.

Fixed plates for teeth alignment are attached to the outer surface of the tooth, and the plate has a system of locks. The locks include a metal arch, which is tightened from time to time. This technique allows you to align teeth at any age, correct deformations of the dental arch, straighten teeth and correct cheeks between the teeth.

There are a number of differences between removable and fixed teeth straightening plates, let's look at them.

• The price of fixed plates for teeth alignment is much higher, but it is fully consistent with the result that can be achieved with the help of the plate.
• Removable plates can be removed and no one will know that you are straightening your teeth.
• If complex treatment of severe curvature of the entire row of teeth is required, then removable plates will not help.

Removable plates for teeth alignment

Removable plates for teeth alignment are installed for a certain time, usually from 12 to 24 hours. If they are installed for 24 hours, then the plates must be removed during meals and oral hygiene procedures. Removable plates are used to change the shape of the jaw and prevent tooth displacement. Plates for alignment are very effective in correction in adolescents and children under 12 years of age, since during this period the dental system is still growing.

The main advantage of removable plates for teeth alignment is their low cost and excellent results after their use. Each plate is selected individually and can be two-jaw or one-jaw, that is, only for one jaw or for both at once.

Patients who wear removable plates must carefully monitor oral hygiene. Thus, after eating, the structure must be thoroughly washed to avoid the development of caries and plaque. The main disadvantage of removable plates for teeth alignment is their inability to move teeth. Plates are able to hold the visible part of the teeth in the required position, so in case of malocclusion, they cannot and it is necessary to use braces.

Aligners for teeth straightening

Aligners for teeth alignment are an invisible removable structure consisting of transparent caps that gradually move teeth to the desired position. Aligners are the safest system for teeth alignment. Their installation does not require acid etching of tooth enamel. Aligners repeat the relief of the teeth and do not cause trauma to the oral mucosa.

In order to install aligners, the dentist takes an impression of the patient, according to which the aligners are made to straighten the teeth. The aligners have a smooth surface, are completely streamlined and are made of transparent material, which makes them invisible to others.

The course of teeth alignment with aligners can last from six to eight months. Everything depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's teeth. Let's look at how to wear aligners correctly.

• You must wear the aligners for 20 hours every day and remove them only when eating or performing oral hygiene.
• Aligners need to be changed every two weeks.
• They can be prescribed to patients aged 12 years and older and to those whose active jaw growth has stopped.
• Each aligner applies pressure to the teeth and moves them a small distance.
• The course of treatment can be from a couple of months to one year. The duration depends on the complexity of teeth alignment.

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Teeth alignment with veneers

Teeth alignment with veneers is the use of thin ceramic plates that are securely attached to the front of the teeth and hide defects and imperfections. Veneers are used to align and reconstruct teeth in cases such as:

• Hidden gaps between teeth.
• Restoration of chipped teeth.
• Lengthening of short teeth.
• Teeth whitening when other methods have not produced the desired effect.
• Correction of uneven and crooked teeth.

Teeth alignment with veneers is a great alternative to alignment with braces. Since veneers easily solve the problem of teeth growth that deviates from the norm. For example, the front teeth are crooked and need to be put in a straight position, in this case, veneers will be used instead of braces. Veneers are glued to the front surface of the teeth and this allows you to hide the flaws. This is more effective, cheaper and faster than using braces.

Teeth alignment with lumineers

Teeth alignment with lumineers is a modern method of teeth restoration, which is durable and of high quality. Lumineers are a new technology that allows you to achieve an effective result in a short time and at the same time has an acceptable cost.

The method of teeth alignment with veneers is the installation of thin, visible cosmetic inserts on the front part of the teeth, which are made of high-strength porcelain. The peculiarity of lumineers is that they are very thin, their thickness is no more than 0.3 mm. And this does not even compare with traditional composite or ceramic veneers.

Often, the procedure of teeth alignment with lumineers is called Hollywood veneers. The procedure of installing lumineers does not require grinding teeth as when using veneers. Thanks to this, the enamel of the teeth is preserved, and if the coating of the lumineers needs to be replaced, the teeth remain in their original condition. Lumineers are durable, their service life is about 20 years. The main advantage of lumineers is that with their help you can achieve a stunning effect that surpasses other methods of teeth alignment.

Teeth alignment trainer

A trainer for teeth alignment is an orthodontic multifunctional device made of elastic silicone. The trainer eliminates the causes of uneven teeth and effectively treats malocclusion. Basic recommendations for using the trainer:

• Correction and alignment of teeth.
• Eliminating speech problems.
• The recovery process after wearing braces.
• Treatment of nasal breathing disorders.
• Correction of the incorrect position of the lower jaw.
• Treatment of crooked teeth in the lower jaw in the anterior region.
• Open, incorrect and deep bite.

A dental trainer is not only a device for mechanical alignment of teeth, it is a device for eliminating malocclusion and an excellent corrector of speech defects and tongue position. Thanks to the use of a trainer, the muscles begin to work correctly. As a result, the treatment of teeth alignment is at a high level. Due to the fact that the trainer is made of hypoallergenic material, it very gently affects the teeth, carefully eliminates pressure on the jaw muscles and the dentition.

Braces for teeth alignment

Braces for teeth alignment are ceramic, metal or plastic locks that are attached to the surface of the teeth. After that, a metal arch is passed through these locks, which is fixed on the last molar. Due to the pressure exerted by the arch, the teeth take the necessary position. The braces for teeth alignment include separators and spacers, which allow you to create a distance between the teeth. And in order to correct the bite, a face bow is used.

Braces are used to straighten the incorrect position of teeth. Braces can be used at any age. Many orthodontists believe that braces are the most effective way to straighten teeth in adult patients. Braces can be used when teeth are crooked, as well as when there are gaps. Braces are used regardless of the number of teeth that need straightening. Braces for teeth alignment help solve the problem of incorrect positioning of teeth in the dental row, especially in the case of crossbite.

Teeth alignment with composite material

Teeth alignment with composite materials, as a rule, this term refers to the process of teeth alignment with composite veneers. Composite materials are affordable, and the manufacturing process is not as complicated as the manufacturing of ceramic veneers. Composite veneers are made of high-quality filling material, which is similar in cost properties to ceramics. The main advantage of composite materials is that when installing veneers made of composite, the dentist does not need to remove a thick layer of enamel.

A professional orthodontist can make composite veneers for teeth alignment during an appointment. Composite veneers allow you to restore the most serious damage and curvature of teeth. When aligning teeth with composite materials, special attention should be paid to the fact that the composite is unstable to the effects of food coloring. Therefore, such devices require careful care so that they last for many years.

Laser teeth alignment

Laser teeth alignment is a treatment for malocclusion and crooked teeth, which are a cosmetic defect and make a smile unattractive. Crooked teeth and malocclusion place increased stress on the teeth and gums, which can cause damage. In particularly difficult cases, periodontitis can occur due to severely worn enamel.

Laser teeth alignment has been used in dentistry for a short time, but has already established itself as effective and reliable. Laser treatment reduces the possibility of complications and prevents their development at an early stage. Please note that bite correction is not a method of teeth alignment. For these purposes, in addition to laser, it is necessary to use treatment with mouth guards and braces.

Straightening of crooked teeth

Straightening crooked teeth is an aesthetic problem that represents a complex of possible health problems. Crooked teeth can cause constant headaches, which will later develop into chronic migraines, as well as problems with the gastrointestinal tract and speech disorders.

The main methods of straightening crooked teeth include installing braces, mouth guards, brackets and laser correction. In the most difficult cases of straightening, braces are used. They can be vestibular and lingual. Braces are recommended to be used from childhood, since it is during this period that the jaw zone is formed. To straighten crooked teeth in adults, alignment plates and mouth guards are used. The main advantage of this method of correcting crooked teeth is painless wearing, but after a couple of weeks they need to be replaced with new ones.

Any method of straightening crooked teeth is best used at an early age. Before choosing a method of straightening crooked teeth, you should consult a dentist. The specialist will assess the condition of your teeth and help you choose a method of straightening that suits your financial capabilities and the result you want to achieve.

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Teeth alignment in adults

Alignment of teeth in adults is a complex and lengthy process, since the maxillofacial part is already fully formed. Therefore, most often, braces are installed for alignment. Braces are attached to the teeth with the help of special locks, an arc passes through them, which is responsible for the alignment of the teeth.

Also, plates are used to align teeth in adults. Plates are made to order for each patient separately. They hold the dental row in the correct position, which is initially set by the dentist. But plates have limitations in use, they cannot change the position of the dental row completely. Plates are very effective in aligning teeth in children, since they still have a plate and mobile bone system.

Another option for teeth alignment for adults is mouth guards. Transparent plates or mouth guards follow the contours of the jaw. They are worn for 24 hours and removed during meals. They are great for adults, as they do not draw the attention of others to the problem of crooked teeth in the interlocutor. For an effective result, mouth guards are worn for two years, and the mouth guards need to be changed every two weeks. In terms of cost, this is the most expensive method of teeth alignment after laser correction.

Teeth alignment for children

Teeth alignment in children is always fast and effective, since in childhood, the jaw system is still mobile and elastic, which allows you to adjust its position. The most common and effective method of teeth alignment in children is the use of a trainer, not a brace system, as many mistakenly believe. A trainer is a silicone cap that must be put on the teeth at night. But at night, the trainer should be worn for no longer than one hour. This method is especially effective for children who have not yet reached eight years of age.

Another effective method of teeth alignment in children is the use of plates for alignment. Plates are removable devices that are made of plastic, but they have a metal frame. Plates must be worn on the teeth for 12 hours every day. Plates work best when aligning teeth in children aged seven to twelve years.

Please note that it is much easier for children to straighten their teeth than for adults. Since at a young age, bone tissue is pliable and flexible, and teeth are more pliable. You can correct your bite and straighten your teeth without using braces, the main thing is to seek medical help from a dentist in time.

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Alignment of front teeth

Alignment of the front teeth is the most common problem that patients seek help from a dentist. It is the front teeth that are responsible for a beautiful smile, and a smile with crooked teeth is a luxury.

To align the front teeth, I use several methods and technologies. The first thing a doctor should offer when aligning the front teeth is mouth guards. Mouth guards are plates that are put on the upper and lower jaw. But mouth guards work effectively only in cases where simple teeth alignment is required, they are also used to consolidate the result of early alignment.

Another way to straighten your front teeth is to use veneers. Veneers are facing plates made of ceramic. They do a great job of not only straightening, but also instantly solve the aesthetic problem of crooked front teeth. Veneers straighten crooked teeth, correct gaps between teeth and help separate the enamel of the teeth. For veneers to work effectively, they must be installed by a doctor. Veneers are glued to the surface of the teeth.

The most ruthless method, which, despite discomfort, pain and inconvenience, gives a 100% guarantee of straight teeth, is a bracket system. A bracket system is a special bracket that corrects bite anomalies and eliminates gaps between teeth, and also works to correct the deformation of the dental arches. Many patients, when aligning the front teeth, are embarrassed to wear metal brackets. But today there is a solution to this problem - invisible lingual brackets.

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Alignment of lower teeth

The alignment of the lower teeth is carried out using bracket systems and caps. Bracket systems work most effectively, but patients prefer to use caps, as they do not cause any inconvenience during the alignment process.

Before you start aligning your lower teeth, you need to be examined by a dentist who will study the curvature of your teeth in detail and will be able to choose the most effective alignment method. Very often, aligning your lower teeth is associated with an incorrect bite. In terms of its method and treatment period, aligning your lower teeth is no different from aligning your front teeth. Remember, the sooner you start aligning and treating your teeth, the more effective and faster the result of the procedure will be.

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Teeth alignment at home

Teeth alignment at home – this is the problem most often encountered by people who have received minor defects after using braces. Please note that teeth alignment at home can cause a lot of harm to health.

Today, there are no effective methods that could cope with the problem of teeth alignment at home. Some patients who are not worried about their health begin to use dangerous treatment methods. For example, sniffing a crooked tooth or softening the sinuses of the teeth with the power of aggressive chemicals.

But it is still possible to straighten your teeth at home, but to do this you need to visit a dentist and ask him to create a comprehensive dental massage for you that will straighten them.

Teeth massage for alignment

Teeth massage for alignment is a method of therapy that is often used for alignment using special techniques and technologies. Massage and therapeutic exercises will make the alignment process less painful. The gums and palate are involved in teeth massage.

Dental massage should begin during oral hygiene. Dentists recommend gently massaging the gums with a soft toothbrush. This will increase blood circulation in the gums and promote effective alignment. In addition to massage, special exercises are used that increase the effectiveness of the chosen alignment method. Long-term and regular dental massage can prevent tooth loss and loosening.

Exercises for teeth alignment

Exercises for teeth alignment or myotherapy are a set of repetitive and systematic exercises. Exercises help to correct the bite and promote the process of teeth alignment. All exercises are not difficult and can be done at home independently. But before you start doing exercises, you need to know what they are. There are exercises that, in addition to teeth alignment, allow you to tone the facial and chewing muscles. Each set of exercises is selected individually; there are no exercises that would be equally effective for everyone.

Exercises for teeth alignment must be done every day, since without a systematic approach and regular performance, there will be no benefit from such treatment. And then you will have to align your teeth using proven hardware methods.

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Surgical teeth alignment

Surgical alignment of teeth is the most extreme and last method of treatment, it is used only if other technologies have not given the desired result or their use is impossible. The following deformations of the maxillofacial bones are considered cases of surgical alignment of teeth:

• Underdevelopment of the jaw.
• Lateral or anterior open bite.
• Facial asymmetry.
• Non-closure of the dental arches.
• Chin dysplasia.

Surgical intervention and operations on the maxillofacial area consist not only of teeth extraction, but also of a complete change in the volume of bone tissue and the position of the jaw. In this case, surgical alignment of teeth involves a preparatory period, the operation itself and a rehabilitation stage.

Dentists try to avoid surgical alignment of teeth, since the slightest mistake can lead to a number of serious diseases that will affect not only the oral cavity, but also other vital organs.

Price of teeth alignment

The price of teeth alignment depends entirely on the complexity of the work and starts from 1000 hryvnia. To find out the final cost for the entire range of procedures, alignment, it is necessary to take into account the number of procedures and the alignment period. The alignment technique is also of great importance.

If you plan to install a bracket system, it will cost from 2000 hryvnia, the same prices apply to caps. Just keep in mind that during the entire course of treatment you will have to change from 16 to 24 pairs of caps, that is, the final price of teeth alignment will be quite impressive.

Teeth Alignment Reviews

Reviews of teeth alignment allow future patients to learn about the effectiveness of a particular method and decide for themselves which method of alignment is the most effective. Let's look at several reviews of teeth alignment, alignment methods and the results of this procedure.

Irina, 42 years old

My youngest son has problems with his teeth. They are crooked, plus an incorrect bite. At the dentist's office, they put in an orthodontic mouth guard. My little one is 10 years old, and the mouth guard effectively straightens the teeth of children up to 12 years old. The results were noticed immediately. The child stopped breathing through his mouth during sleep, his teeth straightened out, of course, not perfectly straight, but progress is visible. We have been using the mouth guard for 3 months, I hope that by the end of the treatment my son will have the most beautiful and happy smile.

Julia, 28 years old

Since childhood I suffered because of my crooked teeth. After I got married I finally decided to go for straightening. I spent a long time looking for a clinic and wanted to install a brace system, since it gives a 100% result. But my husband talked me out of braces, and my job is connected with negotiations, so flashing metal brackets was not the best option.

The dentist recommended straightening with lumineers. I am very glad that I did not put braces, since lumineers are not noticeable and cope with the task perfectly. And my husband noted that the teeth became straighter. I have been wearing them for six months, I hope that the problem of crooked teeth will be solved soon.

Katerina, 16 years old

My parents took me to the dentist and put in braces. The thing is terribly uncomfortable, and sometimes it causes painful sensations. The first months were uncomfortable, but now I'm used to it. In a couple of months I'll take them off, I think the result was worth it. I wore braces for 2 years.

Inga, 24 years old

I have a beautiful smile, but I always had a canine tooth sticking out in the front row of teeth. It was because of it that I decided to use a trainer for alignment. It's a cool thing, you only need to wear it at night when I go to bed and for an hour during the day. True, it was not cheap, but I can already see positive results. Although the dentist did not give me hope, saying that the jaw bones are not very mobile and the result will take a long time to wait.

Teeth alignment is the most popular and most necessary procedure. Because a beautiful smile with even white teeth always wins over the interlocutor and shows that a person takes care of himself.

Beautiful smiles to you!