Optimising orthodontics for adolescents

Orthodontic care is a cornerstone in modern dentistry and is often paramount to the development of the adolescent patient.

Wearing braces and clear aligners is a rite of passage of sorts,[i] with teenage orthodontics permeating popular media in all forms, as well as being seen on peers in everyday life. Because of this, teenage patients may have preconceived notions about the treatment and what the experience will be like for them.

Attempting to understand how adolescents feel about orthodontic treatment is the first step to enhancing care for this set of patients. Then, by taking the time to improve dedicated aspects of care, teenagers can have a better experience with orthodontic appliances.

Adolescent attitudes

Patients seek orthodontic care for a variety of reasons. Adolescents – who are of an age where they do not have full agency over their healthcare, but treatment can be on their mind – may seek it out themselves, or be prompted by a parent or clinician.

Expected treatment results are commonly an improved dental appearance, coinciding with increased dental confidence and a positive psychological impact, such as improved self-worth.[ii]

However, teenage patients often anticipate that the experience of fixed orthodontics, in particular, will cause pain and discomfort.ⁱ Despite this relative torment, which occurs to such an extent that eating, sleeping and hobbies can be affected, teenagers will typically tolerate and accept it in promise of the outcomes. Eventually, the presence of a brace or aligner becomes a new normal, with acceptance supported by the development of visible and measurable results.

Make the most of moments

The majority of orthodontic treatment takes place outside of the dental practice, with fixed appliances or compliant use of clear aligners producing good results. This being said, some of the most important and memorable aspects of care come in the dental chair, when patient and clinician can lay out problems and solutions, and discuss the next steps for an individual’s smile.

The literature notes that a devotion to communication at every point of treatment can better influence patient motivation and compliance, and that average communication, which fuels an average therapeutic relationship, is at the whim of a slight misunderstanding or incident.[iii] If an issue occurs and is not resolved effectively, the patient could lose trust in the clinician, and see results suffer through non-compliance.

Practitioners should look to teenage patients and enquire about their desires for treatment. These can be led by intense emotional factors relating to their appearance, and what it means for their social acceptance, or the dysfunction of their dentition. With the patient given time to speak, practitioners can then deliver open ended questions that narrow down the specific elements needed to inform, reassure, and treat a patient.^ivPairing all of this with positive reinforcement, teenage patients can enter a ‘therapeutic contract’ with a clinician, which can be a key element to maintain motivation over the duration of a long orthodontic treatment timeline.^iv Motivation is strongly associated with treatment cooperation,[iv] meaning successful communication is imperative.

Get it right

It’s essential that clinicians maximise the comfort of the orthodontic care they deliver to teenagers. This requires recognising potentially uncomfortable or painful elements of care that clinicians can support patients through.

Dental professionals can trace discomfort to long before an orthodontic appliance is placed or provided. Conventional impressions, necessary for treatment planning, can sometimes induce an uncomfortable gag reflex, whereas digital scans may be unfavourable due to the scanner size and the potential for excessive heat.[v] Clinicians can work with patients to find the best approach for each individual.

As treatment begins, the appliance can be notoriously painful for some adolescents. Whilst patients do anticipate this issue, it doesn’t overcome the challenge it presents in the moment. Fixed appliances can be particularly challenging, as patients feel they have little respite from brackets and wires – but clinicians can have a solution at hand that maintains confidence in the process.

The Orthodontic Relief Wax from Kemdent is a soft gum protector for patients with braces that can alleviate pain in moments. Adolescent patients can keep the Ortho Relief Wax on them at all times with the 100% recyclable tins, before warming a small portion of wax in their hands, and applying it to the irritable site when needed. The wax simply flakes away or peels off and breaks down – it’s ideal before meals or oral hygiene routines.

Teenage patients are a large portion of the orthodontic patient base and understanding their views of treatment, and how care can be improved, is key. By choosing appropriate communication techniques and clinical materials, each appointment can be optimised for both clinician and patient.

For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256

 

 

[i] Longstaff, S., Davies, K., & Benson, P. (2021). Exploring 10–15-year-old patients’ perspectives of fixed orthodontic treatment. Journal of Orthodontics, 48(2), 110-117.

[ii] Twigge, E., Roberts, R. M., Jamieson, L., Dreyer, C. W., & Sampson, W. J. (2016). The psycho-social impact of malocclusions and treatment expectations of adolescent orthodontic patients. European journal of orthodontics, 38(6), 593-601.

[iii] Thery-Hugly, M. C. (2018). Behavioral disorders in adolescents and Orthodontics Attitude of orthodontists? How far to go?. Journal of Dentofacial Anomalies and Orthodontics, 21(1), 110.

[iv] Daniels, A. S., Seacat, J. D., & Inglehart, M. R. (2009). Orthodontic treatment motivation and cooperation: a cross-sectional analysis of adolescent patients’ and parents’ responses. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 136(6), 780-787.

[v] Yılmaz, H., Konca, F. A., & Aydın, M. N. (2021). An updated comparison of current impression techniques regarding time, comfort, anxiety, and preference: A randomized crossover trial. Turkish Journal of Orthodontics, 34(4), 227.