Smile is a facial characteristic that makes a person unique.  A natural, relaxed and confident smile can do wonders for your personal happiness and your professional success.

Orthodontics is not just about aesthetics! It is a method that can help improve one’s smile, through minor restorative interventions in the teeth and gums, but equally important, it can also diagnose, prevent and treat malocclusion, with the aim of restoring the proper functioning of the oral cavity and facial aesthetics to achieve a beautiful smile. Orthodontics can offer priceless help in treating functional problems, and is necessary to ensure proper functioning of the mouth like chewing, speaking, breathing etc as well as proper oral hygiene.

At Smalto Clinic, we aim at boosting your self-confidence by helping you improve your own unique smile! Excellence in orthodontic practice requires close cooperation amongst all dentistry specialisations, so that the diagnosis and treatment reflect the real orthodontic needs of the patient. Our experienced dentists, child dentist and orthodontist will do just that! 

2. TREATMENT WITH CLEAR BRACES (SAPPHIRE OR CERAMIC)

If you want to achieve a beautiful smile with less visible interventions in the mouth, then clear braces are the appropriate treatment option. Sapphire brackets are completely clear, which makes the whole procedure practically invisible. Sapphire clear or ceramic brackets are the ultimate aesthetic solution and can be used by all patients regardless of the degree of difficulty.

3. INVISALIGN: THE INVISIBLE ORTHODONTICS!

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile, without changing anything in your everyday routine! All of the advantages listed below make it the ideal solution, especially in adults who want to improve their smile.

The “Invisalign” treatment places a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only. Each new set of aligners applies light forces on your teeth which gradually move, until they have straightened to the desired position. Before the actual treatment, a virtual treatment plan shows the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment, thus allowing the patient to see upfront the final result.

Invisalign@ is nearly invisible!

You can straighten your teeth as discreetly as possible. Hardly anyone can tell and you can continue to smile!

Invisalign@ is removable at any time!

While in treatment, there are no restrictions as to what you can eat and drink.

Invisalign@ can Improve your dental health!

Straighter teeth are easier to brush and floss well. This can help reduce decay or gum disease.

Invisalign@ shows you what to expect!

Enhance Dental allows you to view your own personalised computer treatment plan before you start. Therefore, you know how straight your teeth will look like and how long treatment will take.

Invisalign@ can be great for athletes!

Contact sports players must always wear protective gear such as mouth guards. Wearing metal braces can be hazardous for athletes, as an accident in the mouth area, can cause severe injuries to the lips and gums.

Since the aligners are so comfortable, they can easily be used for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day. The aligners are easily removable, so you can continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.

You can remove the Invisalign aligners each time you eat. This means you can continue to eat all the foods you love without any restrictions or worrying about food getting stuck in your wires and brackets.

Your bedtime routine can continue as before, with the simple addition of cleaning your aligners. You won't be struggling with trying to floss and brush in between brackets and wires, which can be time-consuming.

4. INCOGNITO HIDDEN BRACES

THE INVISIBLE SOLUTION FOR BRACES!

If you are looking for the most discrete way to improve your smile, Incognito is the option for you! With inner braces that are invisible, it can be the perfect solution even for the most demanding cases.

An impeccable set of teeth depicts elegance and vitality. Beautiful teeth make us look good, feel good. They are one of the first things people notice about us. To deal with any situation just smile and show your wonderful teeth! Additionally, proper teeth arrangement provides the best conditions for good oral health and maximum care of your teeth. Now, thanks to recent advances in orthodontic science, even the most extreme dental anomalies can be corrected with the extremely small, invisible incognito braces.

Lingual orthodontics refers to the use of orthodontic appliances (braces) placed on the inner side of the teeth, which therefore do not show at all. "Incognito" is a new method where special software manufactures personalized orthodontic hooks that are hidden behind the teeth. It is 100% adapted to the needs of every patient, comfortable and effective for any orthodontic treatment regardless of complexity.

Ideal results with invisible incognito braces:

Anyone looking for the most discreet way to improve their smile and health of their teeth must consider the possibility of using the Incognito technique, which lets the braces be placed inside the tooth without being visible.

All braces are manufactured separately for each tooth and are used in conjunction with specific wires chosen by your orthodontist for each case, which are manufactured with high robot precision. Each wire is bent according to your needs and goals of your treatment to achieve the best result. Despite the fact that the forces exerted are mild, tooth movement occurs in a short time.

So your orthodontist gets an accurate imprint of your teeth and creates a gypsum model which is used to make the customised braces at the Bad Essen workshop in Germany.

FAQs

Is any orthodontist capable of putting incognito braces?

No, in order to use this particular technique, s/he must be trained. The Smalto Clinic orthodontist possesses the required skills and is capable of successfully carrying your treatment using the Incognito technique.

Who are the appropriate patients for the Incognito technique?

The Incognito technique is suitable for all age groups, children, adolescents and adults who wish to improve their teeth. In most cases, those who choose Incognito braces are those who for professional or aesthetic reasons do not want their braces to be visible.

Can Incognito braces be used even in very serious cases?

Yes they are suitable for treating all types of dental anomalies.

Do Incognito braces complicate daily dental care?

Daily dental care can be carried out as normally.

Do Ιncognito braces cause damage to my teeth?

The inner surface of the tooth is more resistant, so inner braces are considered less damaging than classic braces.

5. ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN

Treatment with Metal Braces (the classical way)

Orthodontic treatment with fixed metal braces bonded to the teeth is the simplest, most effective and least expensive choice as regards orthodontic treatment. This treatment is simple and easy to use, which makes it the favourite choice for both dentist and patient. It is the recommended choice for children and adolescents, as they get to choose elastics of different colours at each visit!

Treatment with Head-Gear (for young patients)

Orthodontic headgear is a very important part of the treatment for a considerable number of young patients. Headgear can help guide the growth of the face and jaws and is also used to move teeth into the correct position or to prevent teeth from moving. Headgear attaches to your braces, creating forces that guide facial and jaw growth. Maintaining constant use of the headgear will achieve the best results, thus if instructions on usage are not followed, treatment will take longer and the treatment plan may have to change.

Treatment with Palatal Expander (for young patients)

The palatal expander is used in cases where the upper jaw is ''narrow'' and disproportionate in relation to the lower jaw, this leading to improper contact between the jaws.

The device is usually attached to the upper 1st molars with the use of bands. From a screw that is built in the middle of the device, pressure is applied to the two halves of the maxilla forcing them to separate. The screw is gradually moved in order to reach the desired position. Once in the desired position, the screw is ''locked'', and the device remains in place as a retainer for a period of 6 months so that the achieved result is stabilized. The appliance is best used between the ages of 6-10.

6. ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN

Orthodontic problems in children

Orthodontics should not be considered as merely an aesthetic intervention. It is a procedure used to diagnose, prevent and treat the malocclusion, (the incorrect arrangement) of the teeth, aiming primarily to restore the good functioning of the mouth, but also the aesthetics of the face and the smile. It improves the ability to chew and talk and helps apply proper oral hygiene.

Having a thorough examination by the orthodontist before the age of 7, will allow for an early detection of problems, timely orthodontic intervention and will provide your child with a healthier and more beautiful smile. However, orthodontics can still intervene to provide excellent results, in cases of older children or even adults. The Smalto Dental Clinic Team can provide all orthodontic treatment options, through close cooperation and management of each case by the whole team.

The orthodontic examination should be done no later than the age of 7 years for the following reasons:

If the orthodontist identifies problems early enough, during jaw formation and the growing of temporary or permanent teeth, or even on teeth that may look straight, s/he can intervene early enough so as to prevent future problems. Moreover, early intervention means that any treatment at an older age, will be shorter in duration, but also easier. It is also important to mention that in some cases, it will be impossible to achieve results if the development of the face and jaws has been already completed.

A timely orthodontic treatment, will allow your child:

• To have a proper development of the jaws and a correct growth of permanent teeth
• To correct bad habits such as finger sucking, oral breathing, etc.
• To have reduced risk of injury from protruding teeth
• To have improved smile and face aesthetics, avoiding any permanent skeletal anomalies these may cause

If you have noticed any of the following on your child, ask your orthodontist for possible causes:

• Early or late tooth loss
• Jaws that move or click in the joint area
• Bites on the cheek or on the ceiling of the mouth
• Oral Breathing
• Difficulty in chewing and speaking
• Rubbing or tightening of teeth
• Facial disharmony

The following orthodontic problems are common in children. If they are diagnosed early enough, through a full evaluation, they can be easily corrected by the Smalto Dental Clinic orthodontist, in collaboration with your child's dentist.

1. Crowded teeth

Poor teeth arrangement occurs, due to lack of enough space in the child's jaw in relation to the size of the teeth.

2. Open bite

Although the two jaws are in occlusion and the rear teeth are in contact with the front teeth, there is too big a space and no contact between them.

3. Sparse teeth

Spaces between the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, prevent them from having appropriate contact with each other.

4. Under bite

When we have normal teeth occlusion, the upper teeth come slightly onwards in relation to lower teeth. When we have under bite, the opposite occurs, resulting in poor aesthetics and speech problems.

5. Cross bite, narrow upper jaw

Due to poor childhood habits, the upper jaw does not develop properly, thus resulting in the upper teeth positioning themselves inwards in relation to the lower teeth, causing chewing and speech impairment, a severe anomaly difficult for parents to detect.

6. Increased horizontal alignment

Protruding upper teeth, leading to a serious risk of injury and tooth fracture.

7. Overbite - deep bite

When in close position, the upper teeth cover the lower, protruding disproportionately.

8. Skeletal abnormalities

Serious skeletal imbalances with a strong effect on facial aesthetics. Usually related to bad habits during childhood but also to hereditary predisposition.

9. Bad habits

Thumb or pacifier sucking, oral breathing, intense tongue pressure on the lips or the palate, incorrect swallowing, biting of the lips, nails or foreign objects etc. can cause serious abnormalities in the jaws and teeth. Timely diagnosis can prevent facial irregularities.

8. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ORTHODONTICS!

All you need to know about Orthodontics!

When is the right time for the first visit to the Orthodontist?

It is recommended that the first visit to the Orthodontist takes place between the ages of 6-7 years. Through the evaluation, s/he be able to determine whether there is a problem, the degree of severity, and the most appropriate time for the initiation of treatment.

Up to what age can Orthodontic treatment be applied?

There is no age limit,  and thus good health of the gums and the teeth is the only prerequisite. Nowadays, we have witnessed a rapid increase in the number of adults seeking Orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can last from a few months to 2-3 years and depends on the severity of the problem as well as the patient’s commitment

Which are the necessary diagnostic means an Orthodontist needs in order to draft a treatment plan?

The treatment starts with the clinical examination, using the following diagnostic means:

• Cephalometric and panoramic x-rays
• Study models (cast copies of the teeth)
• Pictures of the teeth and face

In which categories can Orthodontic problems be distinguished?

Orthodontic problems are distinguished into:

(a) Dental, where teeth, for various reasons don’t have the ideal position in  their bone base  

(b) Skeletal,  where there is a disharmony between the two jaws, resulting in an improper functioning of the oral cavity and facial aesthetics,  

(c) Combination of dental and skeletal problems.

What are the causes of Orthodontic problems?

Orthodontic problems are due to hereditary/congenital as well as environmental factors. In cases of hereditary problems, a child can inherit small jaws from one parent and big teeth from the other, this leading to crowded teeth. More or less teeth than normal, facial asymmetries, several types of clefts, or malformations of the face, are usually due to hereditary factors. Environmental factors such as thumb sucking, protruding tongue as well as mouth breathing also result in an abnormal development of the jaws and teeth. Another factor that causes Orthodontic problems is the early loss of milk teeth which results in the loss of the space needed for the growth of permanent teeth.

When is Orthodontic treatment necessary and what are its benefits?

Orthodontic treatment is considered necessary in cases of dental, skeletal and functional abnormalities of the mouth. Orthodontics can offer priceless help in treating functional problems ensuring proper functioning of the mouth like chewing, speaking, breathing etc., improves conditions for proper oral hygiene, reduces possibility for future TMJ problems and  teeth fractures, but also help create a beautiful smile and a harmonic face, adding to someone’s self-confidence and overall emotional well-being.

Are retainers necessary?                                             

Due to the continuous forces the tongue and the cheeks exert on teeth, but also because of the teeth’s tendency to return to their initial position, retainers are necessary for a minimum period of time of 18-24 months. For better stabilisation of the Orthodontic results, fixed teeth retainers are preferable to removable ones, while the more they stay, the better the results.

Should wisdom teeth be extracted after the Orthodontic treatment?

Each case should be evaluated in cooperation with the patient’s dentist. As in general dental practice, in most cases, it is advisable to remove the wisdom teeth, although the role of wisdom teeth in relation to a possible relapse in the Orthodontic result has not been proven as yet.