Ortho- Adults

Question 1

List reasons adults seek orthodontic treatment

Answer 1

• Were not able to get it as a child
• Not happy with result (due to relapse)
• Could not afford it when they were younger,
• For restorative (i.e. dealing with periodontal drift/making space for bridges/orthognathic surgery)

Question 2

What other considerations are there for periodontal patients seeking orthdontic treatment after periodontal drift?

Answer 2

Their periodontal disease needs to be stable.
The treatment could further deterioriate bone levels (increasing mobility)

Question 3

What differences are there with adult orthodontics compared to childrens.

Answer 3

Lack of growth (as the adults jaw is no longer growing we cannot use growth modification we have to accept their skeletal position)
Increased motiviation (unlike children who are forced- the adult wants to be there)
periodontal disease. Adults are more likely to have perio or loss of attachment. We need to ensure we do a BPE before starting treatment.
Damaged/restored or missing teeth- This will affect bonding.
Slower cell turnover- so the teeth will take longer to move the same distance. Adults will need to wear their braces for a longer period of time.

Question 4

Name some other orthodontic options that an adult could select to improve aesthetics?

Answer 4

Ceramic brackets
Lingual brackets
Aligners.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of ceramic brackets?

Answer 5

More friction so the teeth take longer to move.
Cannot be used on lower anteriors -cause severe wear and grooving of lower incisor teeth.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of lingual appliances?

Answer 6

very expensive.
Interbracket span is smaller so a more flexible wire is needed between the brackets as there is less space.

Question 7

What are aligners?

Answer 7

These are a series plastic trays that use comosite attachments to allow a force to be applied on the teeth.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of aligners?

Answer 8

Compliance- can lose them.
Not good at torquing of teeth or tipping of teeth.
There is limited tooth movement.
If the teeth are not fully erupted (i.e. children) there is limited retention.

Question 9

what is short term orthodontics?

Answer 9

Orthodontics that focuses on the anterior teeth- this accepts the posteiror malocclusions.

Question 10

How does loss of tooth support affect orthodontic treatment?

Answer 10

The axis of rotation is nearer the apex.
There is reduced anchorage.