Align your teeth: our advice for choosing the right treatment

Do you find your teeth misaligned? Are you hesitant to take the plunge? Good news: today, there are solutions simple, discreet and effectiveeven as an adult. But it’s not always easy to navigate. Discover the advice of Dr. Isabelle Morille, dental surgeon specializing in dentofacial orthopedics.

We often associate orthodontics with having a beautiful smile. But the stakes are much greater. “Misaligned teeth can be unsightly. But they are above all more difficult to clean. Plaque builds up more easily, increasing the risk of caries and gum disease,” says Dr. Morille.

And that’s not all. When teeth are poorly positioned, they don’t work properly. “They don’t work in their axis. They are therefore more fragile and can lose their bone and gingival support more quickly,” explains the surgeon. In the long term, this can shorten their lifespan.

Good alignment also allows:

In other words, realigning your teeth helps protect your health!

There is no no age limit to correct dental alignment: “We can treat patients up to 80 years old, or even older,” assures Dr. Morille. But the objectives and means differ depending on the age group.

In childrenwe can act on the growth of the jaws (“interceptive” or “functional” orthodontics). Specific devices allow, for example, to widen the palate or correct a discrepancy between the jaws.

In adolescentsjaw growth is almost complete. The treatments mainly aim to align the teeth using braces.

In adultsthe jaw no longer grows. Treatments consist only of moving the teeth. But if the discrepancy is significant, surgery can sometimes be offered in addition.

No. And it is better to be wary of “miracle” solutions touted on the Internet. “Self-treating without diagnosis is dangerous,” insists Dr. Morille. For what ? Because orthodontic treatment is not just about moving teeth. You must first check that:

“Moving teeth on fragile ground can cause bone lossor even tooth loss,” warns the surgeon.

Another essential point: certain habits (mouth breathing, poor tongue position, atypical swallowing) can be the cause of misalignment of the teeth. And if they are not corrected, the problem may persist.

There is not one, but several options, adapted to each situation.

This is the best-known solution… And the most effective, whatever the age.

“The braces are attached to the teeth and connected with a metal wire. They allow precise movementseven in complex cases,” assures the surgeon.

Please note: in certain cases, additional devices can be used to facilitate certain movements (such as mini anchor screws).

THE custom gutters seduce with their discretion:

But they require discipline. “Aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day. Otherwise, the treatment will be less effective and longer,” warns Dr. Morille.

Less known, the lingual appliance is completely invisible from the outside.

“The rings are fixed on the inside of the teeth. It is a very discreet solution, which sometimes requires time to adapt (discomfort to language and speech),” indicates the surgeon.

As you will have understood, the problem does not always come from the teeth themselves, but also from the jaws.

Surgery may therefore be proposed in the event of significant discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws.

The treatment is carried out in several stages:

Rest assured: this type of support is rare and concerns specific situations…

The choice does not rest not just on aesthetics or price. It is based on several criteria:

Good hygiene is essential to avoid complications and optimize results:

The pain is usually moderate.

“These sensations are normal and temporary,” emphasizes Dr. Morille.

As you will have understood, the duration of treatment varies depending on your age, the condition of your teeth, and the technique used (braces, aligners, etc.).

On average, count six to twelve months in case of slight overlaps or small gaps. And up to two years in the event of a more complex problem (poor occlusion, very poorly positioned teeth, etc.).

The cost varies depending on the technique chosen and the duration of the treatment. It costs hundreds, even thousands of euros for a complete treatment in adulthood.

Concerning support, everything depends on your age:

That said, some mutual insurance companies offer annual plans! “ Always ask for a detailed quote and compare the offers from your mutual before starting,” advises Dr. Morille.