That proper and regular dental care should be an important part of the daily hygiene ritual is no secret. But many dental problems cannot be reduced exclusively to poor tooth brushing habits: If you want to chew well, you also need a functional upper and lower jaw. However, numerous anomalies can occur in the area of the teeth and jaws. What is behind them and how is the treatment?
Causes of crooked teeth and jaw anomalies
There are numerous abnormalities in teeth and jaws. Most can be corrected with orthodontic treatment over a period of several years. About half of the causes of malocclusions are genetic, but thumb sucking and poor teething habits are the reason for crooked teeth in the remaining 50 percent. Tooth decay in infancy or even the loss of baby teeth also cause problems in the upper and lower jaws.
Consequences of misaligned teeth and jaw problems.
When teeth overlap, are crooked or too close together, those affected usually find it difficult not only to smile brightly. Common consequences are:
- Brushing and removing plaque with dental floss become more difficult. A so-called tooth misalignment significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- If the teeth in the upper and lower jaw do not meet properly when biting, then both chewing and digestive functions of the body are affected. In the worst case, gastrointestinal irritation can be the result.
- Speech defects can also occur.
- In addition, greater susceptibility to colds and inflammation in the mouth and throat are also attributed to malocclusions and problems in the jaw.
- Headaches and tension in the area of the entire spine, especially in the mouth–neck area, often have their cause in misalignment of the jaw.
So there are plenty of reasons to deal with potential problems in the jaw at an early stage.
Diagnosis at the dentist and orthodontist.
Crooked teeth are often noticed by parents at an early age. Although orthodontic treatment usually begins no earlier than age eight or nine, the dentist may recommend an appointment with an orthodontist earlier – possibly at kindergarten age. An early visit to the orthodontist can be important for the progression of treatment that begins during tooth change and before jawbone growth is complete. Often, at an early stage, simple procedures such as oral vestibular plates or removable braces are good preparation for later treatment, which may be less involved. Orthodontic treatment is possible at any age if the teeth are caries-free and the gums are free of inflammation. In the meantime, more and more adults are also wearing braces. Materials such as ceramic or fiberglass brackets are more likely to meet the aesthetic demands of older generations than colorful rubber bands or metal brackets. In addition, adults are more likely to need treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders. Orthodontists can also help prepare for later dentures and correct misaligned teeth.
Prepare treatment well
To make an accurate diagnosis, impressions of the rows of teeth, X-rays and possibly photographs are taken and repeated over the course of three to five years of treatment. A treatment and cost plan is then prepared and discussed with the patient. The orthodontic treatment plan is reviewed and approved by the reimbursement offices – usually the health insurance companies or the service centers of supplementary insurers. Then the patient and, in the case of minors, the parents must sign a treatment contract. Only then is an appointment made for the actual start of treatment. So before the actual treatment begins, the following steps are clarified:
- The objective of the treatment
- The treatment plan
- The type of therapy (fixed or removable aids).
- The determination of the start and duration
- The impact assessment
- The cost planning
Treatment of dental and maxillofacial anomalies.
Throughout the treatment period, the patient must cooperate intensively.This means that check-up visits must be observed every 3 to 8 weeks and that the braces, clasps, headgears or other treatment appliances must be worn during the day and/or throughout the night according to the instructions. Good dental hygiene and regular check-up visits to the dentist are also an integral part of the treatment program.
Braces, brackets and co.
The orthodontist decides whether fixed braces, brackets or so-called non-compliance appliances (appliances that move the teeth without the patient’s active participation) are used for treatment. Usually, this decision is made with the involvement of the patient and the parents. Above all, it is important that the wearing times are observed. This applies especially to the so-called retention phase, in which the new tooth and jaw position must be secured and stabilized with appropriate retention appliances until the teeth remain in the desired position. This stabilization period is usually longer than the active treatment phase, but is crucial for the lasting success of the treatment.
The invisible brace
Since 1997, there has been a treatment method for misaligned teeth that has become very popular due to its inconspicuousness. Invisalign braces are almost invisible and do not use wires or metal. According to the German Society of Orthodontics, the new system offers some not insignificant advantages:
- The removable splints are almost invisible.
- Home dental care (brushing, flossing) is unrestricted.
- The Invisalign system also offers advantages in terms of wearing comfort and speech, in this respect it is an enrichment of the treatment instruments for certain professional groups with special aesthetic and functional needs (for example, people in public life, wind musicians).
Also, initial concerns that wearing the splints may have negative effects on the condition of the gums or temporomandibular joint function are unfounded according to current knowledge. However, the system can only be used under certain conditions:
- All milk teeth must be replaced by permanent teeth
- Skeletal growth must be completed
This makes invisible braces suitable for almost all teenagers over 15 years and all adults. However, the Association of Orthodontists also sees a not inconsiderable cost of treatment, which is also associated with increased laboratory and material costs. The splints are manufactured using the 3D process and must always be made individually. The manufacturer and the orthodontist communicate interactively, and the manufacturer performs the tasks of a dental laboratory. The Invisalign procedure is therefore only recommended to well-trained practitioners who have mastered the entire orthodontic spectrum in diagnostics and therapy.
Cost absorption for orthodontic treatment.
The costs of orthodontic treatment by a contracted dentist are covered in full by the statutory health insurance funds for children and adolescents if the treatment is properly performed and completed. To this end, insured persons usually pay a ten percent co-payment per quarter during treatment, which is reimbursed after the orthodontist’s final report. If several children in a family are treated at the same time, the co-payment decreases. For insured persons over 18 years of age, the costs are covered if severe jaw anomalies exist that require combined oral surgery and orthodontic treatment measures. Invisible braces are not usually covered in full by health insurance – again, it’s worth talking to your insurer.
