Orthodontic treatment is usually quicker and easier in adulthood than in childhood. Straightening your teeth is worth it, because an incorrect bite can have a harmful effect on talking and eating and cause pain. And having a beautiful straight row of teeth will also increase your confidence in smiling!
- Orthodontic treatment is carried out either because of an incorrect bite, i.e. malocclusion, or because a crooked row of teeth is not aesthetically pleasing to you.
- Adult teeth can be straightened with either braces or clear aligner treatment.
- Malocclusion. Many adults have an incorrect bite. Maybe that is why your face hurts, your jaws get tired and you are unable to floss between your teeth?
- Returning to original position. Teeth straightened in childhood can easily become crooked again over the years. Many people seek orthodontic treatment again as adults.
- Crooked teeth. The desire for straight teeth is a very good reason for orthodontic treatment. You also get a more functional bite and your teeth will be easier to clean!
Visiting a dentist may be a good idea if:
- Your teeth are crowded, crooked or difficult to clean.
- You suffer from pain in the head and facial area.
- You grind your teeth at night and, during the day, your head hurts and your shoulders are stiff.
- Your crooked teeth are bothering you.
In some cases, your dentist may suggest orthodontic treatment. A dental check-up may reveal that you have, for example, an overbite, a crossbite or some other functional malocclusion.
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, book an appointment. You do not need to make a decision right away. Instead, you can take your time to think about it. You will also receive cost estimates for the different treatment options.
There are two good options for orthodontic treatment in adulthood:
- Braces. Did you know that traditional braces, i.e. fixed orthodontic appliances, are also available in discreet white? And in any case, adults with braces are a common sight these days.
- Clear aligner treatment with Invisalign aligners. Clear Invisalign aligners are considered by many to be a pleasant option for straightening teeth. However, clear aligner treatment is not always suitable for treating all types of malocclusion or crooked teeth.
You do not need to know in advance which method you want to choose. A specialist in orthodontic treatment can tell you which technique is suitable for your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment with traditional braces is done as follows:
- During the first appointment, the dentist will survey your situation and discuss the options for orthodontic treatment with you. You can take your time to think about the information provided.
- During the second appointment, the dentist will take an X-ray and plaster models of your teeth as well as photos of your face and dental arches.
- During the third appointment, you will be fitted with braces. First, the dentist attaches the brackets onto your teeth with an adhesive that resembles dental filling. Next, an arch wire is attached to the brackets to do the actual work, that is, pulling your teeth to the desired position. Attaching the arch wire is completely painless.
- About once a month, you will have an appointment to adjust the orthodontic appliance.
- Orthodontic treatment usually takes 1–2 years.
- Maintenance is important after the actual orthodontic treatment process. There are two options for this: the dentist attaches fixed wire retainers to the back of your teeth or, alternatively, you are given a night retainer to wear every night.
If your malocclusion is severe, orthodontic treatment may not be enough. If your teeth are very crooked and crowded, the dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment may suggest tooth extraction so that all your teeth can fit in the dental arch while straight. In some special cases, jaw surgery is necessary.
Tooth extraction is hassle-free and painless, and there is no reason to be afraid of it. You will always get proper local anaesthesia and we will look after your well-being the whole time.
Clear aligner treatment with Invisalign is considered by many to be a more comfortable way to straighten teeth than traditional braces. In clear aligner treatment, your teeth are straightened with a clear aligner.
There are a few different types of Invisalign treatment. Some of them are suitable for correcting small, aesthetic issues, while others take care of slightly more challenging types of malocclusion. A dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment or an ordinary dentist will select the most suitable type of Invisalign treatment for you during the first appointment.
Invisalign treatment requires commitment to orthodontic treatment, as the aligners need to be cleaned regularly. Clear aligner treatment is also followed by a maintenance period.
You are in good hands at Hammas Mehiläinen, where Invisalign treatment is planned by either a specialist in orthodontic treatment or a dentist with the assistance of a specialist in orthodontic treatment.
There is no fixed price for orthodontic treatment. Instead, a dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment will make an individual plan for you, based on which the price will be formed.
You will always be provided with a price estimate, which means that there will be no unpleasant surprises. Browse the price list of Hammas Mehiläinen.
You can also pay for your orthodontic treatment flexibly in several instalments.
If possible, book an appointment with a dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment.
If Mehiläinen has no dentists specialised in orthodontic treatment in your municipality, you can book an appointment with a dentist who performs clear aligner treatment.
You can book an appointment by calling our customer service at 010 273 8000
The expert for this article was Susanna Karsila, a dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment.
Your dentist can advise you on whether you would benefit from orthodontic treatment. An dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment can tell you what would be the best way to straighten your teeth. Aligners may be a more pleasant option, but they are not suitable for all types of orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment works very well for adults, both for malocclusion and for aesthetic reasons.
For adults, orthodontic treatment may be even faster, as you will not have to wait for the jaw to grow or for the teeth to erupt. Orthodontic treatment for adults usually takes 1–2 years but, in some cases, minor issues can be corrected in as little as six months.
When the arch wire of the orthodontic appliance starts pulling your teeth to the desired position, your teeth may be sore for about a week. After the braces are adjusted, the soreness may last for a day or two. The pain can be relieved with painkillers.
You may only see one crooked tooth, but your dentist sees the whole. The tooth may be crooked because, for example, it is crowded and needs more room. One crooked tooth requires at least one dental arch to be corrected.
A dentist specialised in orthodontic treatment always makes the decision concerning the orthodontic treatment on the basis of the examination and careful planning.
