More and more adult patients are deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment to improve their dental aesthetics and to be able to enjoy a proper position of their teeth, thus avoiding problems with eating, chewing... and enjoy the benefits of dental health for the rest of their lives thanks to a better distribution of all their teeth.
One of the most frequent situations is the absence of teeth that have had to be extracted at some point in the patient's life, due to caries, periodontitis... or any other circumstance which, in short, means that these patients have fewer teeth than usual, a fact that must be taken into account when planning orthodontic treatment.
In this regard, it is important to note that, if possible, the practitioner will normally recommend the placement of dental implants or dentures in general, at the end of orthodontic treatment, based on the following reasons:
- Implants and prostheses do not move, while the rest of the teeth do, so placing them at the end means that they are adapted to the ideal situation of the patient's teeth, once the orthodontics is finished.
- Dentures that are fitted in situations of crowding or malocclusion have dimensions adapted to the space initially available, so that after orthodontic treatment they may have to be replaced, entailing unnecessary costs and discomfort for the patient.
- In some specific cases, especially those involving the upper jaw, the orthodontist may choose to 'close' spaces with auxiliary techniques, with mini-screws attached to the bone or other elements, making it unnecessary to finally place a prosthesis.
In any case, if you are missing teeth and have a poor distribution of the teeth present in your mouth, it is best to consult a oral surgeon and an orthodontist who will plan your case in a coordinated way so that, after your efforts, you can enjoy the smile you have always wanted.
