Orthodontics in Villavicencio

Orthodontics corrects the position of the teeth and the way they meet when you bite. With fixed braces or with clear aligners, the teeth are moved little by little, using gentle and controlled forces, into a tidier and more functional position.

It is not only about appearance. Crowded or overlapping teeth trap plaque and are hard to brush, and a bite that does not meet evenly spreads the load poorly across the back teeth and the jaw joint.

At Higienista Oral we treat both teenagers and adults. As long as the gums and the bone are healthy, teeth can be moved at any age.

Signs that your bite is worth checking

It is worth booking an assessment if you notice any of the following:

• Teeth that are crowded, overlapping or rotated.
• Gaps between teeth that do not close on their own.
• Upper teeth that cover the lower ones too much, or that sit behind them when you bite.
• A bite that does not meet evenly, where the same teeth always make contact first.
• Worn edges, sensitivity, or noise and discomfort in the jaw joint when you open your mouth.
• Inflamed gums or tartar that keeps coming back to the same spot because the brush cannot reach properly.

At the appointment we check the teeth and the gums and normally take x-rays, photographs and models of your mouth. That is what the tooth movement is planned from, before any appliance is fitted.

Types of orthodontic treatment

The appliance is chosen according to what the case requires and according to what you prefer in terms of visibility and day-to-day handling.

• Metal braces. The traditional option. Strong and suitable for practically any case, including the most demanding movements. They are the most visible.
• Aesthetic braces (ceramic or sapphire). Tooth-coloured or translucent, so they show far less. They work in the same way as metal braces, although they are more fragile and call for care with hard foods.
• Self-ligating braces. Each bracket has its own small gate instead of elastic ties. They usually need less frequent adjustments and are easier to keep clean. They come in metal and aesthetic versions.
• Lingual orthodontics. The brackets are fitted to the inner surface of the teeth, on the tongue side, so nothing shows from the front. It is the option for patients who want the treatment to be invisible; it calls for a period of adjustment in speech and for more careful cleaning.
• Invisible orthodontics (clear aligners). A series of removable trays that are changed every few weeks. You take them out to eat and to brush. They work well for mild to moderate crowding and for relapse after earlier treatment, and they depend entirely on you wearing them for the number of hours indicated each day.

In children, while the jaws are still growing, the treatment is different: maxillary orthopaedics, which guides the growth of the bones and the space available for the permanent teeth. It can make later orthodontics simpler, but it does not replace it.

How treatment runs

• Assessment and plan. A study of the bite with x-rays and records, a check for decay and gum problems, and an explanation of the options that apply to your case.
• Preparation. Any decay, tartar or gum inflammation is treated first. In some cases one or more teeth need to be removed to create space.
• Fitting. The braces are bonded, or the first set of aligners is handed over. Pressure and discomfort are common in the first few days; ordinary painkillers help and it settles down.
• Adjustments. Regular appointments to adjust the appliance or hand over the next aligners, and to check that the movement is following the plan.
• Removal. Once the goals are met the braces come off, the enamel is polished and records are taken for the retainers.

How long it takes depends on the case and on how each patient responds. At the assessment you are given an estimate in months, which is reviewed as treatment progresses.

Retainers: the stage that holds the result

Teeth tend to drift back. That is why retainers are fitted at the end: fixed ones, a fine wire bonded behind the teeth, or removable ones, a plate or a clear tray. In many cases both are used.

Wearing them as instructed and coming to your check-ups is what keeps, over time, what the treatment achieved.

If you would like to know which type of orthodontics suits your case, book an assessment appointment at Higienista Oral. We will look at your bite and talk the alternatives through with you before any decision is made.