Teeth alignment mouth guards - orthodontic correction of the dentition

Such dental problem as uneven teeth is solved by orthodontists who are engaged in diagnostics, prevention and treatment of various anomalies of teeth and jaws. The technology of correcting crooked teeth with a bracket system is widely known. However, wearing braces - even for the sake of a "Hollywood" smile - is decided by few, especially adults.

In recent years, a special type of orthodontic correction of the dentition has become popular - mouth guards for teeth alignment. Obviously, dentists borrowed it from athletes, because a plastic mouth guard (from German kappe - cap, cover, hat) reliably protects their teeth from all kinds of injuries.

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Teeth straightening caps: correction of defects is invisible to others

An orthodontic mouth guard for teeth alignment (or a mouth guard) is a removable dental overlay made of silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane. Experts believe that this is a fairly effective way to make teeth more even. In addition, the correction of the defect occurs unnoticed by others and with minimal inconvenience for the patient: the mouth guards tightly cover the entire row of teeth, are almost not felt in the mouth and practically do not interfere with speech. The mouth guards do not pose any threat to the health of the gums and the condition of the tooth enamel. Moreover, in parallel with the alignment of the teeth, it is possible to whiten them - with the help of compounds that are used to treat the inner surface of the mouth guard.

Dentists recommend using mouth guards for teeth alignment if, firstly, a person does not want to demonstrate the treatment being carried out. Secondly, if the defects of the dental row are small and it is possible to do without braces. Finally, when after removing the braces the teeth still need to be rigidly fixed in the desired position for some time.

There are several types of mouth guards for teeth alignment. Standard mouth guards are made according to standard sizes and may not suit and help everyone. Thermoplastic mouth guards are made from modern dental thermoplastic materials based on nylon, polyoxymethylene, polypropylene, etc.

These caps are softened in hot water and placed on the teeth, after which they harden. Thus, the cap takes the individual shape of the jaw.

Orthodontic caps are also made of silicone. Silicone caps for teeth alignment are thicker (and cheaper) than, for example, polyurethane ones, so wearing them during the day is not very comfortable. Doctors recommend wearing them during the day for several hours and, without fail, at night. They must be removed during meals and for brushing teeth. Polyurethane caps are thinner, and their continuous wear time is at least 20 hours, with removal during meals and for brushing teeth.

But the most convenient and, naturally, expensive mouth guards for teeth alignment are individual ones.

Custom Teeth Straightening Trays

In the process of making a custom mouth guard, the dental impression taken by the dentist is processed on a computer and a three-dimensional model of the jaw is made. Thanks to the use of a special polymer, a thin transparent mouth guard for teeth alignment is completely invisible not only in the patient's mouth, but also to the outside eye.

To align the teeth, the mouthguard "presses" on them in the desired direction. After the tooth has taken the desired position, the mouthguard holds it, but ceases to be the "driving force" of further correction. Therefore, the mouthguard should be changed: a new one should be made every 1.5-2 months.

Individual transparent aligners for teeth alignment Invisalign, developed by the American company Invisalign International (in 2000), are changed even more frequently - every 2-3 weeks. Each removable aligner (up to 28 aligners per course of teeth alignment) during this time moves the teeth to a certain position by mechanical pressure, after which the patient changes it to the next model.

Americans do without a cast, but make a CT scan of the jaw and create a 3D model of the patient's jaw and teeth. In this case, the patient receives a virtual treatment plan, which clearly demonstrates how the correction of uneven teeth will proceed and what result awaits him. It should be noted that the cost of only the technical work on the manufacture of caps for one jaw in the USA is $ 2000. These caps must be worn for at least 22 hours a day, and removed only during meals. Treatment is carried out under the constant supervision of a doctor.

Domestic orthodontists note that this system - despite the tight fit to the teeth - allows correcting only minor curvature of teeth and only if there are gaps between them. Although Invisalign caps often reduce the duration of treatment, since pressure on crooked teeth occurs from all sides.

Children's mouth guards for teeth alignment

Dentists say that the bite in childhood can change - as permanent teeth grow in to replace baby teeth. Dentists successfully correct crooked teeth, which occur quite often in children.

It is necessary to keep in mind that orthodontic correction of the dentition and bite in children with a brace system makes sense after the end of the process of formation of the roots of permanent teeth - at 12-14 years. For younger children, it is usually recommended to put trainers and plates. As well as children's caps for teeth alignment.

Comfortable and lightweight children's mouth guards can successfully solve the problem of unevenly growing teeth. The principle of their action and effectiveness are the same as mouth guards for adults, but the child only needs to wear them for 2-3 hours a day - during the daytime.

Parents should know that all mouth guards for teeth alignment are made individually for children - in dental clinics.

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Price of mouth guards for teeth alignment

When choosing this method of correcting minor dental crookedness, it is necessary to take into account the cost of such treatment and, last but not least, to realistically assess your financial capabilities, since this type of orthodontic correction of the dentition cannot be called affordable.

Mouth guards come in different varieties and, accordingly, have different prices. Thus, in Ukraine the price of mouth guards for teeth alignment (the simplest ones – standard silicone ones) starts from 950 UAH for one mouth guard for one jaw and grows as the quality and custom manufacturing improves – up to 3500 UAH and higher.

When asked where to buy mouth guards for teeth alignment, experts give a clear answer: exclusively in dental clinics.