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What happens to orthodontic treatment during confinement?

Most treatments are frozen.

Due to the health alert, most orthodontic clinics only attend emergencies due to responsibility.
Many orthodontic patients will ask themselves what happens during this time when they cannot go for check-ups because, during confinement, we can say that most treatments are frozen. 

What happens to orthodontic treatment during confinement?

Will the teeth continue to move during confinement according to the treatment planning?

This will depend very much on the condition of the treatment. For example, during the first months of treatment, the teeth will continue to move, but if it coincides with the last phases of treatment, the movements will be slowed down and reduced.
In this sense, it is essential that if you were using the "rubber bands," you continue to wear them so that, with their use, the effectiveness of the apparatus increases.
That is to say, in a generic way, we could say that the apparatus being used expresses movement until it remains at 0, and the treatment stops there. In some cases, under the indication of the orthodontist, elastics are still used to maintain or continue to make a gentle, controlled movement.

Does the treatment stop if we don't go to check-ups due to the confinement?

If the appliances are well cared for, the prognosis does not worsen. However, it is true that if we stay more than 2 or 3 months without the orthodontist supervising the treatment and making the necessary adjustments, the treatment can slow down a little because the orthodontist will not be able to activate it.

Is the same thing happening with conventional braces and clear aligners?

The difference is significant because as soon as the alarm was declared, those who were undergoing treatment with transparent aligners had the opportunity to go to their clinics to pick up the aligners of the different phases, or if they were sent by courier, therefore a large number of these patients have the braces for two or three months. They can change them following the indications of the orthodontist, so the treatment will continue without any problem. With fixed appliances, however, it is the orthodontist who activates them at each check-up, so the treatment can be somewhat paralyzed. However, it should be noted that the fixed appliance does not continue the progression of therapy but maintains what has been done so far, which is very important.
In summary, this stop forced by the health alert does not mean that the patient has lost time and money in the orthodontic treatment because, in the case of those with transparent aligners can continue to move forward. The fixed appliance does not advance, but neither does it go back (so the orthodontist will take it back at the point that left it once they can restart the reviews); at most, the process will be extended a couple of months. Still, it has no significant importance in the final outcome of treatment. Recommendations to orthodontic patients during the quarantine

Brush all appliances thoroughly (since we have more time at home, it is convenient to brush for at least 3 minutes, 3 times a day, and rinse with fluoride mouthwashes since we must prevent gum inflammation.
If the gums bleed, in principle, there is no reason for concern: be more meticulous with brushing, and usually, in 2-3 days, the bleeding will stop (but it is essential not to go to such extremes)
Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods to avoid damaging the appliance.

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