Orthodontics is the part of odontology occupied with the correct alignment of the teeth. Nowadays, treatments are as frequent for children as for adults of all ages. Generally, the sooner an alteration is discovered, the simpler the treatment. It is even advisable to check children from 4 years of age upwards in order to rule out or detect and prevent possible important alterations. Treatments, however, do not tend to begin until some years later. However, orthodontics tends to confront problems which go way beyond simply moving and aligning teeth. On many occasions it must also correct alterations in position and growth of the maxillas, or even the facial profile.

For all these reasons, it is extremely important to carry out a correct study of each case, both in children and adults. To do so, nowadays we have sophisticated computer programmes which enable us to analyse the profile of the face and teeth, superimpose it with x-rays and carry out hundreds of cephalometric analyses in very little time. They also allow us to calculate the degree of growth that we may anticipate and even see simulated images of the patients profile and the end result depending on the type of treatment used.

Advances in the field of orthodontic materials and techniques allow more comfortable and aesthetic treatments each time. Therefore, for example, there are white braces or even treatments with lingual technique (all the wires and braces are placed on the inside face of the teeth), although this requires more complex techniques and longer consultations. Some cases may be resolved with removable apparatus which some patients consider to be more comfortable.

More recently an even more convenient and aesthetic new technique has appeared. The Invisalign© procedure. After appropriate study and planning, a whole series of transparent dental splints are created which can be removed for eating or brushing teeth and which facilitate an orthodontic treatment which is practically invisible and very comfortable. Padrós Clinic has been an official authorised Invisalign© centre for some time now.

REMOVABLE BRACKETS

The newest treatment that has been included among the options in our Orthodontic Department is the removable brackets technique. It is also called S.A.R, and it is said that it is among the fastest techniques in the world to align the teeth. The idea is that the brackets or fixed aligning appliances do their work adhered to a especially designed splint; in special occasions the patient may remove them, and it is effective just wearing it around 15 hours per day. Many treatments finish in five to eight months.

The removable brackets may be placed when the four central incisors have erupted. As it is only required to wear it during the afternoons and nights, the problem to take the appliance to school is solved.

Between 16 and 20 years of age, it is applied to solve crowding problems. The advantage is that it is not used during contact sports, nor when the youngsters go out with their friends. It is enough to wear it 75% of the time. The technique is equally effective in adult patients.

The removable brackets are able to align anterior teeth very rapidly and very comfortably for the patient.

ACCELEDENT SYSTEM

We are pioneers in Spain in the use of the AcceleDent System. It is a device that orthodontic patients can use, and it is effective both in combination with fixed braces and esthetic aligners, to shorten the length of their treatment between 30 and 50%. The patient should use AcceleDent 20 minutes every day, through the patented technological application to slightly vibrate the teeth and the surrounding bone. The most recent studies have been able to assure its efficacity and security.

This system is based in the fact that the quantity of orthodnotic movement depends largely on the velocity at which the bone in contact with teeth changes. It has been seen that the orthodontic force, combined with the microvibrations generated by the AcceleDent, speed dental movement with the greatest security. The vibrations stimulate the osseous molecules which regulate the amount and activity of the celles. Besides, AcceleDent decreases significatively the discomfot wich sometimes is associated with some orthodontic techniques, ideally if it is used before and after each appointment.

DOLPHIN IMAGING 3D

Until recently, orthodontic diagnosis was based mainly in the records taken exclusively in two dimensions - photographs and radiographs are bidimensional representations of a reality where there is another dimension, not present in records. We now have a 3D reconstruction program for orthodontics (Dolphin 3D), which allows to study every case from a tridimensional standpoint, and perform more accurate cephalometric measurements, to be able to control with higher precision teeth orientation, the amount of bone, evaluate assimetries, control the eruption of teeth, and preview with higher degree of security the movements that can be performed in every particular patient; this way we can offer a more secure and stable treatment outcome.