The difference between adult orthodontics and children's orthodontics

The difference between adult orthodontics and children's orthodontic

As adults are increasingly pursuing beauty, their own economic strength is generally getting better and better, and they pay more attention to oral health, so more and more adults choose orthodontics. However, adult orthodontics are quite different from children's orthodontics, which is related to the characteristics of adults' physiology, anatomy, work and psychological state.

The best orthodontic period is between 10-14 years old (there is a slight difference between boys and girls), this period is the peak period of children's growth and development, and orthodontics can get twice the result with half the effort. The bone development of adults has been completed, and there is no problem of using the growth peak to improve growth. The characteristic of jaw development potential that can be used in childhood no longer exists in adults, so it will inevitably affect the formulation of treatment plans and the selection of treatment methods. Selection, determination of treatment goals, and length of maintenance time.

Adult orthodontics are mostly self-initiated and have their own clear goals and aesthetic requirements. Therefore, adult orthodontics are more individualized and should vary from person to person, and a relatively uniform treatment plan cannot be adopted like children’s orthodontics.

As we grow older, in addition to uneven dentition, adults often have other dental problems, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint disease or tooth loss, and there may even be some systemic health factors. These factors should be considered in the orthodontic design and treatment process, and the necessary corresponding treatment.

The plasticity of the jaws of adults is far less than that of children. During the orthodontic process, the teeth should not be too fast, and the orthodontic force should be added slowly and gently. Therefore, the course of orthodontic treatment for adults may be relatively longer than that for children. At the same time, the recurrence tendency of adults is significantly increased, and the time limit for wearing a retainer needs to be relatively extended.

The above-mentioned factors should be clearly explained to the patient before adult orthodontics begins, so as to obtain the patient's cooperation to the greatest extent during the orthodontic process, so that the orthodontic treatment can be carried out smoothly, and both doctors and patients can be satisfied with the curative effect.

At the same time, due to reasons such as work and social activities, adults may have special requirements for the appearance of orthodontic appliances. Most adults hope that the orthotics they wear will not affect the aesthetics as much as possible within the scope of economic conditions. Therefore, unlike the metal brackets commonly used in children's orthodontics, a larger proportion of adult orthodontics will choose ceramic brackets, invisible brackets, and lingual appliances that cannot be seen from the labial side.

After the treatment, adults wear retainers longer than children, and adults also have higher requirements for the appearance of retainers. You can choose a retainer type that has less impact on aesthetics, such as a transparent laminated retainer. Wearing a retainer is not the end of orthodontics. For adults, due to the high recurrence rate, some people may need to wear a retainer for life.