Plate treatment

This orthodontic correction method is often used in early childhood, when the dental and jaw system is going through a phase of active growth and the bite has not yet fully changed to permanent. Plates create ideal conditions for the correct position of the teeth and for correcting the bite.

Depending on the bite defects, removable and fixed orthodontic appliances may be used. In particular, removable plates correct the row of teeth mainly through direct action on it. Fixed ones do this by widening the upper jaw and free up room for new teeth.

Removable

Such appliances consist of a plastic base imitating the palate and a metal arch that presses on the teeth and straightens the line of the row. Removable plates can correct some kinds of malocclusion and return individual teeth to their place. A screw may be built into the base of removable plates — its task is to widen the dental arch. It is tightened as the therapy progresses. The orthodontist also periodically adjusts the arch, which makes it possible to change the degree of pressure on the teeth. Since the plate is easy to remove, there is no need to change the usual diet and hygiene. However, this also carries a danger — for the plate to work, it must be worn all day. And a child may not stick to the schedule.

Fixed

One of the best-known fixed orthodontic appliances is the Haas, or, as it is also often called, the Marco Rosa orthodontic appliance. It is fixed on the baby teeth and is designed to widen the jaw. The appliance has rings placed on the chewing teeth, as well as an additional support to act on the canines. Its base also has a screw ensuring the gradual widening of the jaw. The screw needs to be tightened periodically.

The appliance is fitted when the permanent central incisors have erupted but the lateral ones have not yet had time to. Using it makes it possible not only to create room for the teeth but also to solve problems related to difficult nasal breathing and a malocclusion in general. The child cannot remove the Marco Rosa appliance on their own, which guarantees that the treatment schedule is followed.

A dental plate is often fitted to a child if:

• The jaw needs to be widened, the width of the palate changed
• The row of teeth needs correcting (relieving crowding, changing their tilt, the position of an individual tooth)
• The bite needs correcting (minor conditions)
• Preparation for braces is needed or the result of orthodontic treatment needs holding in place

These items from the children's orthodontics arsenal are made to individual parameters. To do this, comprehensive diagnostics are carried out, including hardware diagnostics (so-called orthodontic diagnostics), and moulds of both jaws or an intraoral scan are made. As a result the doctor obtains detailed information about the features of the bite, the position of individual teeth, the work of the temporomandibular joint and a three-dimensional model of both of the child's jaws. All this is needed to make the item in the lab and fit the plate to the child's teeth. This takes about two weeks.

The plate must be worn at least 20 hours a day, removing it only for eating and for hygiene. So that the item isn't lost or broken, it should be kept in a special case. It must not be kept in water or various solutions. You also must not drop the plate or allow it to deform from force.

The item is put on only clean teeth (you may rinse the mouth if full hygiene isn't possible) and with clean hands. Drinking sweet drinks counts as eating, that is, it requires hygiene. Children's dental plates are put in and taken out according to a specific method. The orthodontist will show it. In particular, hooking the plate by the front arch is not recommended, so as not to loosen the system. There are hooks near the lateral teeth for this.

In general the item is cleaned twice a day, morning and evening, with an ordinary brush and paste. It is rinsed under running water at a medium temperature (hot water is not used). For especially thorough cleaning you can sometimes use special tablets and solutions for caring for orthodontic appliances and dentures.

1. How hard will it be for the child to get used to the plate?
   After fitting there may be slight discomfort, impaired speech and increased salivation. However, if the plates for straightening teeth suddenly begin to cause pain or irritation on the mucous membrane, you need to see the doctor.
2. What is the price in Moscow for children's plates?
   You can find out how much it costs at Inwhite Medical Kids to correct orthodontic conditions with plates via the link.
3. Will treatment take a lot of time?
   The doctor will state the approximate treatment times after comprehensive diagnostics. But in general it all depends on the complexity of the orthodontic defect and whether the child follows the plate-wearing schedule. The latter applies to cases where removable plates are used.