Orthodontics in Catania

What isOrthodontics

Orthodontics is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of abnormalities in the development and positioning of the teeth, facial bones and attached musculature. It therefore has the goal of achieving an ideal occlusion in a harmonious face-in fact, the fundamental goals that the orthodontist aims to achieve are not only limited to the correct alignment of the teeth, but also to the achievement of harmonious facial aesthetics, efficient chewing function, and improved health of the teeth and their supporting tissues.

Ideal occlusion is defined as the best possible intercuspation (relationship) between the lower arch teeth housed in the mandible and the upper arch teeth located in the maxillary bone, so as to allow proper masticatory, phonatory and aesthetic function. Instead, we define malocclusion as the complex of skeletal, muscular, and dental changes that do not ensure proper functioning of the stomatognathic apparatus.

How does the orthodontist see your mouth (and face)?

The orthodontic examination not only evaluates the mouth and the position of the teeth, but also conducts a thorough analysis of the face, musculature, temporomandibular joints, and teeth.

Incorrect alignment of teeth often mirrors disharmony of the facial bones (upper jaw and mandible) to which the teeth of the upper and lower arches are attached, which develop during growth following inappropriate rhythms and directions.

How do the dental arches behave in different types of skeletal development?

When the profile is harmonious and regular (class I) there may be incorrect tooth positions often due to lack of space for alignment of all teeth. Permanent teeth may not find the best fit along the dental arches, causing crowding and producing irregular occlusion.

In cases of convex profile (class II), the dental arches are often not congruent with each other. The upper arch teeth are positioned further forward, and the upper incisors do not contact the lower antagonists. The overly forward position of the upper incisors with the typical “bunny” appearance draws the attention of parents.

In cases of concave profile (class III) the upper dental arch is more set back than the antagonist arch . The lack of anterior dental support conditions the profile of the upper lip, which appears more thinned and receding.

What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment at ages 5 to 8 years?

In all those patients in whom a true indication has been established, early orthodontic therapy offers many opportunities:

To guide the growth of the jawbone especially in cases of concave profile (skeletal class III).
Expand the palate in cases of anterior and/or posterior, mono- or bilateral reverse (cross) bite.
Correct excessive protrusion of the upper incisors and thus reduce the risk of trauma to the elements themselves, because if they are properly aligned they are also more protected from the upper lip.
Reduce or eliminate problems related to spoiled habits (finger sucking, lip interposition, atypical swallowing and lingual thrusting), oral or mixed breathing, incorrect phonation with difficulty pronouncing certain consonants or phonemes.
Promote proper eruption of permanent teeth.

What Are the Goals of Orthodontic Treatment During the Pre-Pubertal Growth Phase, Between 9 and 13 Years of Age?

If the child has regular and harmonious skeletal growth the focus will be on the permutation: the space available for permanent teeth along the arches is assessed and any interventions to guide their eruptive path are planned.

After the dental permutation is completed, the need for a phase of alignment and correction of the ratios to consolidate the occlusion is assessed. Some malocclusions, on the other hand, depend on disharmonious growth of the facial bones and benefit most from treatment during the period of greatest crecita , between the ages of 9 and 13.

During this stage, the child fully develops its skeletal growth potential (6-10 cm per year), in fact the organism at this time experiences peak growth and the genetic component manifests itself by determining individual characteristics. During this period, there is frequently slowed growth or with incorrect direction of the maxilla or mandible, which lose contact and common progression leading to the establishment of malocclusion.

What Equipment Does the Orthodontist Use to Correct Bone Growth Problems?

Dentofacial orthopedics makes use of mobile or fixed equipment that modulates bone growth, expressing the greatest therapeutic effect when used during peak growth, and can improve skeletal relationships bringing the child back within more harmonious growth patterns. The most commonly used orthopedic devices are:

And What Braces To Move Teeth?

Orthodontic treatment uses fixed equipment, that is, equipment attached directly to the surface of the teeth. Fixed orthodontic therapy equipment can be used during growth and adulthood and is a system of brackets and wires applied directly to the teeth in order to move them in predetermined directions in order to achieve multiple results: a correct relationship between the upper and lower arches, good function and pleasing aesthetics.

Once the active phase of treatment is over with the removal of the fixed appliance, a restraining device is applied to stabilize the teeth in the new position, giving time for the supporting tissues of the tooth-the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and muscle tissues-to adapt to the change and stabilize the occlusion permanently.

Why Is It Sometimes Necessary to Eliminate Healthy Teeth?

Teeth line up along the arches and settle according to the space they have available, but sometimes the length of the arch is not sufficient to accommodate all the teeth. Usually the last erupting teeth fail to align properly and arrange themselves where they find the least resistance: typical are the canines that erupt high and outside.

If teeth in the arches are to be aligned by restoring good occlusion and arch expansion is not possible, the orthodontist recommends extraction of dental elements that are often perfectly healthy.