Mouth guards for correcting malocclusion in children: what is it, features of wearing mouth guards, rules of care

Indications and contraindications Aligner technology Treatment regimen Advantages and disadvantages Care Reviews Specialists

Treatment of malocclusion in a child is corrected not only by installing braces. Transparent aligners can be used to straighten teeth in children.

This replacement for the bracket system appeared relatively recently - about 15 years ago they began to be used in orthodontics. The material chosen for them is transparent biosilicone or bioplastic, which obtains the properties of strength and elasticity.

The mechanical impact is insignificant - children's mouth guards gradually straighten the teeth without causing serious pain. The second name of the instrument is aligners, which in their principle and structure are similar to adult models. You need to wear mouthguards constantly - under normal conditions, about 22 hours a day, removing them while eating and brushing your teeth.

What are mouth guards for correcting bites?

Mouth guards are removable structures that fit over the teeth like a cover. They follow the shape of the dentition and are held in the oral cavity due to a very tight fit to the enamel surface. They are made according to an individual impression of the patient from elastic biosilicone or polyurethane. The thickness of the products is from 0.5 to 0.75 mm.

A corrective course requires a set of aligners from 12 to 25 pieces, which differ from each other by a slight change in geometric parameters. Products are numbered in order, and then during correction, in accordance with the numbering, are replaced. This causes the teeth to gradually move in a given direction and not move back to their original position. The orthodontist determines the exact number of aligners after performing a detailed diagnosis of a specific clinical case.

How is the treatment carried out?

The treatment process is very simple. Based on the initial examination, the orthodontist draws up a clinical picture and makes recommendations. He will tell you how long you need to wear the mouth guard each day, and whether you need to do it during the day or at night.

Throughout the entire treatment period, which is up to 24 months, the bite is gradually corrected.

The time and schedule of wearing can be changed depending on the individual characteristics and reactions of the little patient’s body. The orthodontist monitors the progress of the correction process throughout the treatment.

Indications for correcting malocclusion with mouthguards

It is obvious that it is impossible to correct all defects of the maxillofacial apparatus with the help of aligners. This course of therapeutic action is indicated in the following situations:

crowded growth of teeth or their incorrect location on the jaw;
diastemas and trema (increased spaces between dental units);
malocclusion;
defect in the development of the dental arch.

Indications for the need for correction using aligners are determined by the orthodontist of our dentistry during a consultation.

Flaws

Many parents believe that if they buy mouthguards to straighten their children’s teeth, they can solve any bite problems, including the most complex ones. Unfortunately, even top aligner manufacturers admit that significant defects, as well as open, distal, and mesial bites can only be corrected with the help of braces. Therefore, correction with mouthguards is possible only for minor malocclusions.

Another drawback concerns the discipline of wearing mouth guards. Individual children may remove the covers at school and only put them on in front of their parents. In this case, reasoned explanatory work is required, otherwise the effectiveness of treatment will be reduced to zero.

The price of aligners for children is higher than braces. This is especially true for products of famous brands. The average cost of a kit for the entire treatment period can reach up to 150,000 rubles.

Benefits of correcting your bite with mouthguards

Efficiency. The positive result of therapy is due to the computer calculation of the parameters of the aligners in strict accordance with the characteristics of the clinical case.
Wearing comfort. The aligners do not injure the mucous membranes of the cheeks and lips, as they have the smoothest possible surface. They can be removed and put on independently, without the help of a doctor.
High degree of aesthetics. The appearance of the products does not cause rejection among children.
There is no fastening elements and no need to apply an adhesive mixture to the enamel surface.
Hypoallergenic. The material for making correctional products does not cause allergic reactions in the child.
Possibility of use with other orthodontic structures.
Short adaptation period.
Quick restoration of diction.
Easy to care for your mouth and aligners.
No need to adhere to a special diet.

How is bite correction done in children using aligners?

The orthodontist takes dental impressions of the child using silicone mass and an impression tray. The technique for taking impressions in children takes into account the natural mechanics of tooth movement. Impressions can be taken with a digital intraoral scanner. In this case, silicone mass is not needed.
The doctor loads the obtained data into a computer program and creates a three-dimensional model of treatment (3D image), models each intermediate stage of correction and the result of treatment.
After approval, the 3D model is sent to the laboratory, where an individual set of mouth guards is manufactured.
Before installing mouth guards, the oral cavity is sanitized (plaque and stone are removed). The orthodontist attaches attachments - special composite fasteners that allow you to fix the aligners in the desired position. He puts on the first aligner, explains in detail the rules of wearing and care to the child and parents, issues a set of aligners for the first stage of correction, and sets a date for the next appointment.

Early correction of malocclusion makes it possible to use all the advantages of age and stop the formation of defects, preventing possible changes in the body aimed at compensating for dental pathologies. Correcting the bite with children's corrective mouthguards is not aimed at achieving ideal dentition aesthetics. It pursues other goals. The main task is to indicate the correct direction of growth and development of permanent teeth, creating conditions for the normal formation of the dental system.

Mouthguard Care

The aligners must be washed with running water at least 2 times a day.
The devices should be removed before eating and put on after eating, after cleaning them with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
The correction structure should be stored in a special container with holes for ventilation. This will protect it from dust and other contaminants.
For cleaning, use a regular brush and paste. You can also use special pharmaceutical products to care for dentures.
It is necessary to clean the mouthguards from the inside and outside.

Important: aligners should not be boiled or washed in very hot water. This may cause them to become deformed. It is also not recommended to use abrasive detergents to avoid scratches.

Effective dental mouthguard

The first dental mouth guard was released by the American company Align Technology in 1999. Now they are manufactured in Russia, the USA, Britain, Germany, as well as South Korea, Mexico, Italy and the Netherlands. Today the following brands are represented on the Russian orthodontic market:

Invisalign is produced by Aling Technology (USA), which has the greatest practical experience
in this market segment. Over a long period, systems of this brand have helped more than four million patients in different countries of the world cope with bite problems. Each tray change occurs within 14 days. The result is visible after 2-3 weeks of treatment. The use of innovative technologies and high-quality materials allows us to produce mouth guards that are highly aesthetic and comfortable to wear. The disadvantage of the product is that it is too expensive due to the need to deliver an individual order from the USA.
Read also: Orthodontic treatment - correcting malocclusion
Star Smile has been manufactured using American technology in Moscow since 2012.
Replacing the mouthguard with a new one is necessary every two weeks. The treatment period ranges from 3 to 15 months. The product is considered optimal in terms of price-quality. The discomfort is felt during the first three days after replacing the mouth guard with a new one.
Clear Correct is an American brand that has been producing mouth guards for 14 years.
The products of this brand will be the best solution for patients with high sensitivity to synthetic components. It is necessary to change the aligners every 2-3 weeks.
Invisible All In are inexpensive Italian mouth guards of good quality.
The treatment process takes on average 6 months.
Denti Belli are produced in Italy.
Their production uses highly effective technology based on three-dimensional printing. Delivery to Russia is carried out 2 weeks after placing an individual order.
Orto Snap are inexpensive aligners from an American manufacturer.
The result cannot be predicted, since IT modeling is not used in their production.
The mouth guards of the patented American brand Ultralight deserve special attention.
The company's headquarters is located in the USA. Some time ago, production was moved to Russia, to the Skolkovo innovation center. When visiting an orthodontist, the patient undergoes a scan of the jaw. The results obtained are sent to the USA for detailed analysis. High-quality custom Ultralight mouth guards are manufactured in the Russian Federation, under constant supervision by American colleagues. Ultralight mouthguards
They are distinguished by a favorable price, due to the fact that they are produced in Russia.

Important! When choosing a specific manufacturer, be sure to listen to the opinion of a specialist. Only a doctor can choose a truly comfortable and optimal option, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. Silicone mouthguards for teeth, which are made in Russia, are considered no less effective than their imported counterparts.

Treatment of children using FlexiLigner aligners at the “Smile” dentistry

Dentists at the branches of our center use only reliable and proven technologies and devices to treat children. FlexiLigner aligners are one of them. The cost of therapy is from 350 thousand rubles. Treatment with KidsLight aligners costs from 90 thousand. This amount includes the manufacture of mouth guards, monthly visits to the doctor and retention devices.

The dental network offers affordable prices for orthodontic services, payment in installments during the course of correction, and a family discount when servicing several family members.

Our specialists regularly improve their professional status by studying in leading clinics in Russia and Europe. This allows us to offer world-class dental services to our patients.

The clinic has two branches in different areas of Moscow. You can choose the one that is more convenient for visiting:

branch near the Alekseevskaya metro station (VDNKh area and Mira Avenue) at the address: st. 3rd Mytishchinskaya 3, building 2;
Shelepikha metro station, address: Shelepikhinskaya embankment, 34, building 1.

It is within your power to make your child’s smile cheerful and beautiful, and to eliminate in advance the problems that he may encounter in the future. Come to our orthodontic centers, we can help you!

When are children's aligners needed?

You need to correct your child’s bite right away—in the first stages, all procedures are more effective and simpler. But usually parents come to the orthodontist after 12 years. A special feature of our clinic is that we treat occlusion without braces from the age of 7, that is, even the presence of baby teeth does not prevent us from planning treatment with aligners.

If you compare this bite mechanism and classic braces, then in the aligners you can see changes in the structure and position of the teeth in advance. The technique involves 3D scanning and already at the appointment you will be able to see the result - your future smile.

This can motivate the child well and add patience to him while wearing. After the appointment, the doctor will describe all the actual treatment methods, assessing the child’s personal characteristics.

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Cases when wearing a mouth guard becomes necessary: