Orthodontics - Costa Rica Dental Guide to Best Dentists

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that treats malocclusions, commonly known as unaligned or “crooked” teeth.

There are a few causes for malocclusions. These include uneven development of the jaw, irregular tooth growth, or trauma. Orthodontists sometimes treat malocclusions to fix biting issues, although most of the time, orthodontics is performed for aesthetic reasons.

Because orthodontics is typically performed in teenagers, many adults think they can’t benefit from it. However, adults can still get their teeth straightened.

Another misconception about orthodontics is that they are extremely uncomfortable or visible. While this was true in the past, with the developments of modern dentistry, it is not the case anymore.

The main way to treat malocclusions is with the use of dental devices that can be fixed, semi-fixed, or removable. A dentist will have to evaluate your mouth and help you decide what the best device is for your specific needs. The most common devices are braces and retainers, although their size, material, and form can vary greatly.

If you are interested in orthodontics in Costa Rica, fill out the “Find a Dentist” form on this page. One of our patient advocates will reply to your needs.

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Orthodontics: Preventing Further Treatment

27 November 2014

Orthodontics is the field of medicine that provides care for patients with dental malocclusions, which is the medical term that literally means “bad bite.” Jaws that are overly crowded with teeth often cause malocclusions. Orthodontics involves the use of dental procedures and devices to align teeth in order to correct how the teeth mesh and to restore the biting action of the teeth to a more normal level of function. In order to practice orthodontics, a dentist has to study orthodontia as a specialty. The training required varies from country to country, but it generally involves an additional 2-3 years of study. This is also true in Costa Rica. The most common forms of orthodontic treatment are braces. They are often used for teenagers whose permanent teeth are in. However, despite common belief, adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment too. And in fact, they should, because malocclusions aren’t only about making your smile look better, but also about avoiding future problems. When a malocclusion goes untreated, the bad position of the teeth can create spaces that the toothbrush can’t reach. Food tends to accumulate in these places and bacteria forms. Bacteria may become plaque, which can only be removed by […]

Orthodontics

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Options in Invisible Braces

28 April 2015

Invisible Braces Costa Rica is a very popular place for receiving affordable dental care…including braces and orthodontic work. The cost is typically far less than prices for orthodontic work in the US or Canada, and patients have a number of options for braces and other teeth straightening systems. Gone are the days of having only one option: metal braces (not that there is anything wrong with metal braces.) Metal braces are frequently the most affordable solution, and you or your child can express yourself with your own unique choice of colored bands. This can make having metal braces fun, especially for kids. Adult orthodontic patients are often more interested in straightening systems that are invisible, or nearly invisible. It’s never too late to have straight teeth. Invisible or nearly invisible braces are a popular option among adults that don’t want to distract from their appearance just because they are having their teeth aligned. Below are some orthodontic options, although please keep in mind that you’ll need to speak to a dentist about the best solution for the kinds of straightening challenges your teeth have and the best fit for your budget. Ceramic Braces Ceramic braces are a bit like metal […]

Orthodontics Savings

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Preventive Orthodontics

3 June 2015

Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontics Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry specialized in the diagnosis, prevention and correction of improper positioning of teeth and jaws. Proper diagnosis should be made during the first few years of the patient’s life. Many preventive treatments usually begin around six years of age. Orthodontists use clinical observation and X-rays to diagnose conditions already established. But also, they study the patterns of growth in the young patient to predict potential bad alignment of teeth as well as disproportionate jaw growth. This way it is possible to prevent future complex cases or to stop them in time when they are developing. This is called the preventive or interceptive orthodontics phase. Early Tooth Loss One of the most common orthodontic dental problems in children is losing one or more temporary teeth too early. Losing teeth is a potential problem because the surrounding teeth start to fill in the empty space, becoming tilted, failing to contact properly with the opposing tooth, and reducing the space in the gums for the teeth that haven’t come in yet. Depending on the case, an orthodontic appliance needs to be used to prevent the remaining teeth from tipping, and also to straighten them […]

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Orthodontics

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Invisalign Improves Your Oral Health

27 August 2015

Poor oral health may be caused by an improper alignment of teeth. Invisalign is an orthodontic solution to correct the bad position of teeth, providing amazing results for millions of users. The straightening procedure is performed by invisible aligners, which are custom made using 3D technology. The patient is given a package with many custom aligners. Each aligner is meant to be used for 2 weeks on each dental arch. Every 2 weeks, the patient will discard the old aligners and start a new set which will push the teeth to a better position. Invisalign uses technology as its greatest advantage. This technology understands the movement of teeth, which is determined with accuracy by a computer. The optimal direction, strength of movement and inclination of the teeth is analyzed before the beginning of treatment, allowing a significant reduction in treatment time. Using 3D images the treatment plan is designed, allowing the orthodontist to see the full process from the initial position of teeth to the final ideal alignment which is the goal to be achieved. Fewer appointments If you are visiting Costa Rica for short business trips, or to visit family or friends, or just because your job requires you […]

Dental Exams Orthodontics

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Brace Yourself: There are Better Options Than DIY Dentistry

12 April 2016

A 2016 news story reported about a college student who straightened his own teeth using a 3D printer. (He’d actually had his teeth professionally straightened earlier in his life but had failed to wear the proscribed retainer after his braces were removed.) The style of braces he created were a series of nearly invisible aligners that pushed his teeth incrementally into place. Print Your Own 3D Braces It’s a great story, one reader correctly assessed the flaw: People should not do their own braces or dental treatment. There is a reason that orthodontists and dentists have to go to school for such a long time. Moving teeth around and not knowing what you are doing to the bite will cause problems down the road. I work in the dental field and people don’t understand that braces aren’t just for cosmetics, they are also to help your jaws. If the teeth are not in the correct position it can cause severe TMJ problems and grinding problems. If you move your teeth too fast, you can shorten your teeth’s roots which can lead to possible extractions. Just because you do research does not mean you are a certified doctor. If I do […]

Orthodontics

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The Most Expensive Way to Get Your Teeth Straightened

17 September 2019

It should go without saying. It really should. If you need orthodontic treatment, you should go to a professional. Yes, that means a dentist, not yourself. Many Americans have no dental insurance, and even those with insurance often find that they don’t cover “cosmetic dentistry” such as braces. But some Americans with a “can do” spirit are resorting to do their own “do-it-yourself” orthodontic treatments to get their teeth straightened. They use elastic floss, paper clips, rubber bands. They use any sort of material they think will get them a line of perfectly aligned teeth. These types of DIY braces are dangerous and will often result in damage to the teeth or the gums. They create issues that frequently require extensive professional intervention. While the idea of watching a YouTube video and following the simple do-it-yourself directions to get an impeccable smile for less than 20 dollars may sound attractive. In the end, it costs more than the orthodontic treatment. For example, an American patient who tried to close a gap in his front teeth with rubber bands ended up losing both teeth. He required expensive dental implants to replace both teeth. Dental replacements of that kind are more expensive […]

Orthodontics

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