Orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is the correction of misaligned teeth and bite with special orthodontic appliances: braces, plates or clear aligners. Crooked, crowded or unevenly erupted teeth can affect more than just the aesthetics of a smile. They are harder to clean thoroughly, teeth may wear unevenly, and a misaligned bite may, over time, affect chewing function and oral health.

Until now, residents of Kupiškis and the surrounding districts often had to travel to larger cities and wait in line for orthodontic treatment. Now professional orthodontic care is available closer to home. At the “Dantų meistrai” clinic, dentist Julija Krujalskienė holds a certificate in orthodontics and treats orthodontic anomalies of OGRI (orthodontic treatment need index) groups 1–2. We invite you to come for a consultation about teeth straightening and for treatment at the “Dantų meistrai” clinic, Gedimino St. 27 – 2, Kupiškis.

During the consultation the dentist assesses the orthodontic treatment need index (OGRI) and clearly explains whether a particular case can be treated at our clinic or whether a consultation with an orthodontist is required. Complex skeletal anomalies that may require surgical treatment fall outside our scope of competence – in such cases we refer the patient to a suitable specialist so that a safe and well-founded treatment path is chosen.

A misaligned bite and tooth position can affect the entire chewing system. Assessing the problem in time often makes it possible to choose a simpler and more predictable treatment path. The most common consequences:

• crowded teeth are harder to clean thoroughly, so plaque builds up more easily and the risk of caries and gum disease may increase;
• unevenly distributed chewing loads can lead to faster tooth wear or damage to restorations;
• in some cases clicking, discomfort or pain may develop in the temporomandibular joint;
• chewing function may be impaired;
• some orthodontic anomalies can affect speech, especially in childhood;
• constant mouth breathing in childhood may be linked to altered facial and jaw development and to sleep quality;
• aesthetic changes in tooth position can lower some patients’ self-confidence and make them avoid smiling.

Orthodontic anomalies are common among school-age children, so a preventive assessment of the teeth and bite is an important part of routine oral health care.

Dentist Julija Krujalskienė holds a certificate in orthodontics and treats OGRI group 1–2 orthodontic anomalies. These can include small gaps between the teeth, mild or moderate crowding, rotation of individual teeth, a slight crossbite or deep bite, a mild open bite, as well as recurring crowding after earlier orthodontic treatment. Both removable and fixed orthodontic appliances may be used – in the primary, mixed and permanent dentition.

For the patient this means a more convenient and consistent treatment path: from the first consultation and diagnostics to follow-up visits and retention, everything can be taken care of in one clinic, without travelling to other cities. If professional oral hygiene, a filling or other dental care is needed during treatment, it can also be arranged at the “Dantų meistrai” clinic – and, where possible, during the same visit.

Orthodontic appliances are divided into removable ones, which the patient can take out themselves, and fixed ones, which are placed and removed by the dentist. The most suitable treatment method is chosen individually, taking into account the orthodontic problem, the patient’s age, lifestyle and expectations – not just the price of treatment.

Braces

A braces system is one of the most widely used ways of straightening teeth. It consists of brackets bonded to the tooth surface and an orthodontic archwire connecting them, under the action of which the teeth gradually move into the planned position. Treatment with braces is usually started once the permanent teeth have erupted and can be used for both teenagers and adults. Fitting braces on one jaw usually takes about an hour. The procedure itself should not be painful, but during the first few days the teeth may be more sensitive or ache – this is a normal part of adapting to an orthodontic appliance.

Types of braces used:

• Metal – the classic, reliable and widely used choice. They are strong and effective, but more noticeable on the teeth.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are a discreet and modern way of straightening teeth. They are made individually from a digital scan of the teeth, and during treatment the patient changes sets of aligners according to the plan drawn up by the dentist. The aligners are taken out when eating, when drinking anything other than water and when brushing the teeth, so daily oral hygiene remains simpler than with fixed orthodontic appliances.

For treatment to progress as planned, aligners normally need to be worn for about 22–23 hours a day, so the patient’s commitment and adherence to the dentist’s recommendations are very important. Whether aligner treatment is suitable in a particular case is decided after assessing the position of the teeth, the bite and other clinical factors. More on the “Invisible clear aligners” service page.

Orthodontic plates

Orthodontic plates are removable appliances consisting of an acrylic base and metal components, such as screws, springs, or wires. They are most commonly used for children during the mixed dentition stage. Depending on the orthodontic problem, these plates can be used to widen the dental arch, create more space for erupting teeth, or correct the position of individual teeth.

This is a relatively simple and economical treatment method, but its success depends greatly on whether the child wears the appliance for as long and in the way the dentist has recommended.

Other orthodontic appliances

Depending on the patient’s age and the orthodontic problem, functional appliances or palatal and dental arch expanders may be used, and myofunctional therapy may be recommended. Such solutions are more often applied to growing children, when it is important not only to correct the position of the teeth but also to address issues related to jaw growth, tongue function, swallowing or harmful oral habits.

Orthodontic treatment always begins with thorough diagnostics – only after assessing the position of the teeth, the bite and the overall condition of the mouth can the most suitable treatment method be chosen. At the “Dantų meistrai” clinic the course of treatment usually looks like this:

An orthodontic appliance creates more hard-to-reach places in the mouth where plaque can build up, so oral hygiene needs even more attention during treatment. This matters for more than day-to-day comfort – plaque that lingers around braces can lead to enamel demineralisation and white spots, which may remain visible even after the appliance is removed.

We recommend:

• brushing the teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and, where possible, after meals as well;
• using an orthodontic toothbrush and interdental brushes and, if needed, an oral irrigator;
• avoiding very hard, sticky and chewy foods that could damage or loosen braces;
• taking aligners out when eating and when drinking anything other than water;
• having professional oral hygiene more often than usual – according to the schedule recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist.

At every follow-up visit we assess not only the movement of the teeth but also the state of oral hygiene. If needed, we adjust daily care habits so that the result of treatment is not only aesthetic but also healthy.

The first orthodontic examination is recommended at around 7–8 years of age, when the first permanent teeth have already erupted. The aim of such an early visit is usually not to start treatment straight away – the most important thing is to notice developing changes in tooth position or bite in good time and to decide when treatment would be most appropriate.

The timing of active orthodontic treatment depends on the specific problem and the child’s stage of growth. During the growth period it is in some cases possible to influence jaw development favourably, correct the dental arches and create better conditions for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly. A preventive assessment of a child’s bite in Kupiškis – without waiting for obvious problems and without travelling to another city – therefore gives parents the chance to plan the most suitable treatment path in good time.

There are no strict age limits for orthodontic treatment. Teeth can be straightened in adulthood too, but the treatment plan depends on the individual condition of the mouth, the bite and the health of the supporting tissues. Because adults’ jaws no longer grow, the treatment options for some orthodontic problems differ from those for children and teenagers, but properly planned treatment can be successful at a later age as well.

Before starting treatment, it is important to assess the condition of the gums and periodontium and ensure good oral hygiene. Adults often choose clear aligners because these solutions are less noticeable during treatment and easier to incorporate into daily life.

Orthodontic treatment for adults often becomes part of comprehensive treatment. It can be used to create room for an implant, correct the position of tilted teeth before prosthetics or improve bite conditions for future restorations. In such cases we draw up the treatment plan together with the clinic’s implantology and prosthetics dentists, so the patient does not have to coordinate several specialists at different clinics.

Treatment does not end when the orthodontic appliance is removed. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift, so retention is an important part of orthodontic treatment that helps maintain the result achieved.

Depending on the situation, a thin retainer wire may be bonded to the inner side of the teeth, or a retainer plate, a clear retainer or a combination of several devices may be prescribed. The type of retainer and how long it needs to be worn are chosen individually by the dentist.

It is important to follow the recommendations given and to attend follow-up visits periodically. Consistent retention helps reduce the risk of the teeth returning to their former position and preserves the result of orthodontic treatment for as long as possible.