Orthodontics for adults

It is suitable for all ages and no one will notice. Orthognathic surgery | Multidisciplinary treatment | Space problems.

Orthognathic surgery

Sometimes, the bones supporting the teeth (the upper maxilla and the lower mandible) are not correctly positioned and/or their sizes are not proportioned. This prevents the teeth from fitting properly.

In order to correct face deformations, a combined treatment of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery is required.

Multidisciplinary treatment

Usually, an orthodontic treatment is the best choice for solving other dental problems.

Gum problem: teeth overcrowding makes it very difficult to maintain good personal hygiene. Thus, aligning the teeth is very advantageous for people suffering from gum problems. Besides, it allows a better distribution of the forces to which the teeth are subjected, so that we prevent certain teeth from being exposed to excessive trauma.

Space problems to restore lost teeth: if a too long time elapses between the loss of a tooth and its replacement, the adjacent teeth might suffer an inclination or move into the gap created. This leads to undesirable changes in the bite, causing interferences which might prevent the jaw from closing correctly and affect the neighbouring teeth.

It might also give rise to bone defects and bacteria deposits. For instance, replacing the tooth with an implant might be impossible if there is not enough space due to these undesirable changes.

An orthodontic treatment offers the possibility of relocating the teeth and recovering the lost space.

Aesthetic problems: the loss of bone tissue around one of the front teeth is one of the trickiest problems and with greater aesthetic impact. When an incisor loses much bone tissue and the gum recedes exposing the tooth root the aesthetic consequences are devastating.

Sometimes, the root can be covered with a gum graft, whereas other times the tooth must be moved with an orthodontic treatment in order to improve the gum level, especially if there are caries, root fillings or there is little root left inside the bone.

There is no age limit to correct dental issues. Orthodontic treatments for adults are also feasible.

Orthodontic treatments are conducted by Dr. Gema Olmos, Orthodontics Specialist.


Orthodontic treatment cost

The cost of a metal orthodontic treatment depends on the case, ranging from 2500€ to 3300€. The method of payment consists of a downpayment of approximately 800€ (which can be divided in two payments if requested by the patient) and monthly payments of a variable amount depending on the length of treatment, usually around 80€.

After analysing the preliminary diagnostic study, each patient is interviewed in order to be informed of the characteristics of the problem and the possible solutions. The patient will as well be given a closed budget beforehand, which is personalized.

The budget covers all the expenses arising from the orthodontic treatment as well as the professional fees, which obviously are consistent with the high degree of specialization, expertise and quality offered.

At what age is it recommended to start with an orthodontic treatment?

There are interceptive orthodontic treatments (which aim to prevent a problem from growing and triggering other issues) and orthopaedic treatments (which aim to intervene in the growth of the bones that support the teeth), and both start at an early age, usually from the age of 6. Most corrective orthodontic treatments using multibracket appliances start later, around 12 years old, when all the permanent teeth have already erupted.

An orthodontic treatment can be carried out at any age, there is no age limit for correcting a malocclusion (a “bad bite”).

How long does an orthodontic treatment last?

The overall treatment time depends on the problem to be solved, the type of appliances, how well the appliances are taken care of, how fast the teeth move… Generally, it ranges from a few months, 6 to 8 in the easiest cases to 24 or 30 months in the most complicated cases.

Does the treatment hurt?

Usually, the first two or three days after the fitting of the orthodontic appliances the patient might feel pains which cease with analgesics.

In order to avoid mouth ulcers, it is convenient to apply orthodontic wax for the first days in the areas of greatest friction.

During treatment, when the archwires are changed it is common to experience increased teeth sensitivity when biting.

Is there an age limit for Invisible Orthodontics?

There is no age limit for undergoing an orthodontic treatment. The patient could be an adult or a child and it is not conditioned by the seriousness of the issue.

What is the purpose of an orthodontic treatment?

–Correcting teeth malpositions, so that teeth fit correctly and work efficiently without suffering traumas.

–Improving the smile aesthetics.

–Correcting the position of teeth that, as a consequence of the loss of a piece without replacement, have crooked or inclined over time, leaving gaps and hindering a suitable implant or prosthesis placing.

–Facilitating proper hygiene by solving teeth overcrowding, which usually involves a higher plaque accumulation and therefore it poses a higher risk of periodontal disease.

–Improving bone and gum conditions in cases where the teeth problems are insurmountable and they need to be replaced with implants.

In cases where these teeth are placed on areas demanding high aesthetics, the orthodontic treatments enable the movement of the tooth in such a way that it sweeps bone and gum along for a better outcome.

–And many more things…

Can my teeth suffer a wear due to the treatment?

No. An orthodontic treatment does not damage teeth, but bacterial plaque does.

In case that during treatment the patient does not comply with the hygiene rules nor attends the control appointments, there are risks of enamel decalcification, dental caries or gum swelling (gingivitis). That is why we insist and dedicate so much time to the instructions and hygiene check-ups.

When the enamel is already suffering a decalcification before the orthodontic treatment, invisible or lingual orthodontic appliances are especially recommended, as the former facilitate the hygiene and the latter decrease the risk of decalcification.

What are the Invisible Orthodontic Appliances?

Invisible or clear braces are removable orthodontic systems consisting of a series of clear plastic aligners which achieve a sequential movement of the teeth. The best known is the system Invisalign. It is very comfortable, since the patient can remove the aligners when eating or brushing his or her teeth. However, some dental movements are less predictable than with fixed orthodontic appliances.

It is important to consult with a professional who will state whether this is the best type of orthodontics in your case.

What are the lingual orthodontics appliances?

They are fixed appliances (brackets) which are placed in the inner side of the teeth, and therefore they are not seen from the outside.

The system is just as efficient as the conventional appliances and it can solve any problem.

What if there is no room for placing implants?

When a tooth is lost and it is not replaced in good time, the surrounding teeth move over time. The adjacent teeth lean towards the empty space (at times causing diastema or gaps between other teeth previously well positioned) and the tooth of the opposing arch suffers an extrusion, that is, it continues erupting because it seeks to establish occlusal contact. In the long run, this complicates the replacement of the lost tooth with implants or a fixed prosthesis due to the lack of space.

“Lingual orthodontics has made it possible to “repair” my teeth efficiently…”

“Lingual orthodontics has made it possible to “repair” my teeth efficiently and without complications…”


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Dra. Gema Olmos
Orthodontics for adults 1