Orthodontics is used to correct imperfections in teeth alignment. Besides the esthetic aspect, a bad tooth positioning can prevent good chewing, and hamper speech. A good alignment of teeth facilitates the brushing thus helping to prevent cavities.

Different Methods

We use braces, wires and elastic ties, small screw, aligners, removable retainers.

These techniques guide the teeth and their roots until the top and bottom teeth perfectly match each other. By applying a light but constant tension on the teeth, they slowly move in position.

Orthodontics for Adults

Adults can also benefit from orthodontics treatments, to reclaim an harmonious smile, or correct teeth positions which have been affected by jaw bones' aging. Many patients find metal braces unsightly. We can then use ceramics brackets, less noticeable. Treatment can even be completely invisible by placing the braces behind your teeth: it's a "lingual braces treatment".

An invisible aligner system can also be proposed in some situations.

Some are removable retainers that only need to be used at night to realign incisors in 4 to 8 weeks.

Ours dentists in Lille (59000) and Neufchatel-Hardelot (62152 ) near Boulogne sur mer will advise you on the best treatment for your situation.

Complex situations for adults

When a situation is complex, the orthodontics surgeon might require support from ENT, allergists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, periodontologists... The treatment can involve surgical correction in some situations.

Hygiene: Brushing

If you wear braces, it is mandatory that you bush your teeth after each meal, or at least in the morning and in the evening. You must also take extra care of your gums, which are always slightly swollen during the treatment, and be particularly attentive to brush between teeth, and behind the wires, thanks to specific end-rounded bristle toothbrushes and floss threaders. Brushing teeth at school after lunch can be a problem if the school doesn't offer a space to brush teeth. You can then use a travel toothbrush or do it after the afternoon snack.

Contention

After the braces are removed, it is necessary apply contention.: when the teeth have moved, the ligament which holds them and the underlying bone need to strengthen back to normal. It is necessary to maintain them at the end of the treatment, otherwise there is a risk for teeth try to get back into their initial position.

After contention

The body evolves during its entire life, the bones adapt to changes (face, size, weight...). The mouth obeys nature's laws and a slight move forward of incisors is normal. This can entail a small overlapping for some people.

Pains and discomforts

An orthodontic treatment created a change in the teeth's position, which creates an inflammation. However the pain is minimal. It appears at the beginning of the treatment and subsides after a few days. If necessary, you can use light pain killers during the first days. You might feel an initial discomfort to speak slowly.

Extracting teeth

If space is too tight in the mouth, it might be necessary to make space to avoid overlapping teeth or teeth which cannot grow out of the gum, and later on, potential compression, cavities or gingivitis.

Wisdom Teeth

It is necessary to get X-rays towards the end of growing age, to check is the wisdom teeth have enough space to get out. If they don't have enough space, they could have to be removed, but this is not always necessary. removing wisdom teeth will alleviate the tension from the back towards the front of the jaw, but it doesn't create space in the front jaw.