Can adults straighten their teeth?
We generally think of adulthood after the age of 18. The orthodontic treatment of adults is very different from that of adolescents. This is because the growth and development of adults has been completed, the maxillofacial sutures have become bony fusion, the plasticity is very low, and the metabolic rate of adults slows down. Reduced reactivity increases the difficulty of orthodontic treatment.
In the past, the orthodontic treatment objects were almost all children and adolescents, and adult orthodontics were not taken seriously because of its complexity. In recent years, due to the rapid development of science and technology, the wide application of science and technology in the medical field has continuously improved the medical level. For example, the development of oral biology, biomechanics, and materials science has promoted the continuous improvement and development of orthodontics theory and technology, and laid the foundation for adult orthodontics. At the same time, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment is also increasing. Some people say that the improvement of living standards and the extension of life expectancy are the social background for the development of adult orthodontics. After people meet basic living requirements such as food, clothing, housing and transportation, they begin to pay attention to improving the quality of life and enhance their aesthetic concepts, which is also one of the manifestations of social progress and civilization.
Aligning misplaced teeth, obtaining normal oral function and beautiful appearance has become a part of the pursuit of adult life. An adult's request for orthodontic treatment is legitimate and available. However, compared with adolescents, adult orthodontics are more complicated, and adult malocclusion is often accompanied by other oral diseases. Such as caries, periodontal disease, missing teeth, tooth wear, residual crown, residual root. Adverse restorations in the mouth, temporomandibular joint diseases, etc. Before starting orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to fully control the periodontal disease of the teeth and remove the intraoral restoration, otherwise it will affect the wearing of the appliance and the movement of the teeth. Adults should undergo orthodontic treatment under good oral hygiene conditions, and pay attention to changes in the periodontal condition of the teeth during treatment.
The growth and development of adults has stopped, the alveolar bone remodeling is relatively slow, the tooth movement is relatively slow, and the treatment time required is longer. Adults are prone to relapse after orthodontic treatment, so maintenance after treatment is very important. The age of adult orthodontics is best not to exceed 40 years old, because the health of the periodontal tissue decreases with age, and periodontal tissue damage is prone to occur during treatment. Common adult orthodontic malocclusions include: crowded teeth, anterior gaps, anterior crossbites, maxillary teeth and maxillary protrusion, and facial asymmetry caused by mandibular deviation. For moderate and severe skeletal malocclusion, the desired effect cannot be achieved by moving the teeth alone. At this time, the main purpose of orthodontic treatment is to cooperate with surgery for preoperative and postoperative correction and maintenance.
Adult orthodontics is divided into comprehensive treatment and adjuvant treatment. The purpose of the former is the same as that of adolescent orthodontic treatment, which is to improve the appearance and function of teeth. The purpose of the latter is to accompany other treatments such as dentures. Due to the influence of occupation, psychological factors and other social activities, adults have more requirements on the length of orthodontic treatment, the appearance of the appliance, and the treatment effect. Adults have the ability to think independently, and they often compare and consider the opinions of friends or family members and the experience of other orthodontic patients. Fixed appliances are small in size and high in efficiency, and are more suitable for adults.
In recent years, lingual fixed appliances, ceramic brackets, etc. have appeared, which greatly meet the requirements of patients in terms of aesthetics. Although the improvement of orthodontic technology and high-quality orthodontic equipment provide good conditions for the development of orthodontics for adults, due to subjective and objective factors, the treatment effect of adults is often not perfect. When carrying out orthodontic treatment, one should not rush for success, and one must fully understand and be mentally prepared for the complexity of treatment. In addition, adult orthodontics should also consider the impact of the general health status. People with rheumatic heart disease, coronary heart disease, hypothyroidism, hyperacidity, diabetes, arthritis, bleeding disorders, epilepsy and other diseases should first use These diseases are under control. Pregnant women should be cautious about orthodontic treatment. If you have a history of oral and maxillofacial surgery, radiation therapy, and medication, you should take the initiative to explain the situation to the doctor to avoid adverse consequences.
