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Nice smile:the 5 things to do at the dentist #1

I want aligned teeth

The effect of time. Teeth that overlap or are too far apart (we speak of "diastema"), this is either a morphological problem, due to the shape of the jaw, or the consequence of a bad habit, such as pushing the teeth with the tongue while swallowing. It is often the aesthetic aspect that drives patients to consult. However, misaligned teeth complicate brushing, which leads to the deposit of tartar (therefore yellowing and gum problems) and possibly cavities.

The technique that works. If the alignment problem was not corrected during childhood, or if the teeth moved again over time (we call this "recurrence"), good news:orthodontics for adults offers excellent results. . There are two types of bands:the "classic", glued on the visible face of the teeth, and those with "lingual" technique, glued on the internal face. In recent years, a third option has emerged:invisible aligners, such as "Invisalign" or "Clear Aligner". Made of transparent plastic (more or less rigid depending on the stage of treatment), they are almost imperceptible, which allows them to be worn almost all day. Whether you opt for braces or gutters, the process is quite long in adults:between one and two and a half years, depending on the importance of the treatment to be performed.

Dress and price. Orthodontics offers a priori definitive results, even if it is possible that the teeth move a little over time. Difficult to give a fixed price of treatment, because everything depends on the complexity and duration, as well as the dentist, but you should know that it is not reimbursed. “Classic” braces are the least expensive (but can reach €2,000), while lingual systems and gutters can go up to €7,000.

Thanks to Dr Jean-Marc Bittoun, dental surgeon, and Julien Carré, aesthetic doctor (ML Esthetics).