What is meant by orthodontic phases?
The orthodontic process is the set of dental movements that are performed to improve the aesthetics, function and chewing of your mouth. It is divided into several stages until the desired smile is achieved. What are the stages of orthodontics? In total, orthodontics has 7 phases : a zero phase in which a study is conducted and another 6 phases of active orthodontics.
Zero phase, the orthodontic study
To do this, the orthodontist will perform a series of steps:
Case evaluation: the orthodontist determines the oral problems that the patient may have by observing different aspects, such as bite, jaw, midline …X – rays of the sides of the skull and panoramic with which you can see if there are infections, the state of the roots and absence of molars, among other things.
Extraoral and intraoral photographs to analyze facial symmetry and dental malpositions, among others. These images also help the patient to obtain a comparison between their dental aesthetics before and after treatment.
Study models: the sample of the patient’s mouth that orthodontist require.
Active phase
- Alignment and leveling
The objective of this phase is to modify vertical discrepancies and dental crowding , for which light forces are used.
Likewise, in this phase the actions are also carried out aimed at correcting the dental crossbite and pulling the teeth that have not erupted , in case the person needs it.
- Bite correction and molar relationship
In this step the occlusion or bite is corrected and the teeth begin to fit in their correct position in the anteroposterior and vertical direction. In some cases, orthodontist use external forces like elastic or rubber bands for bite correction.
- Closing spaces
In this phase orthodontists focus on closing all the gaps and spaces between the teeth once everything is aligned.
- Finishing and finishing
In this phase, small adjustments to improve the dental position will be made:
- Match the roots and check that all are parallel.
- Adapt individual dental positions (small modifications or rotations that may remain).
- Correct possible midline discrepancies so that the upper and lower match.
- Perform the final settlement of the denture.
- Removal of devices
Once the orthodontist considers that all the objectives have been achieved , the apparatus is removed from the patient’s mouth and thus proceed to the retention phase. At this point, the teeth are aligned, there are no spaces between them, the bite is correct and the aesthetic is ideal.
- Retention stage
It is a very important phase , because thanks to it we will maintain the results achieved. The teeth have memory and will tend to return to their previous position .
So that this does not happen, the professional will put retainers in the upper and lower arch, in addition to transparent covers (splints) that the person should take as long as the orthodontist deems necessary.
