The Orthodontics Dental Specialty in Costa Rica

Orthodontics is a dental specialty dedicated to correcting the position of teeth and bones. When teeth are in bad positions and do not fit together correctly, they are harder to keep clean and are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease.

When additional stress is placed on the muscles used for chewing, it can lead to headaches, TMJ and various pains in the neck, shoulders and back syndrome. In addition, the crooked teeth detract from our overall appearance.

Orthodontic treatments in Costa Rica can lead not only to a healthy mouth but also to a more pleasing appearance thanks to teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.

Specialists in this field are called orthodontists. In addition to the basic university education of dental school, the orthodontist has two or more years of study in a special program. The orthodontists at the Flikier Institute of Dental Rehabilitation in Costa Rica usually train in the United States, a country that has greatly advanced this field of dentistry.

Only your dentist or orthodontist can determine if you need orthodontic treatment based on diagnostic procedures such as: dental history, clinical examination, plaster models of your teeth, x-rays and 3D imaging. According to the diagnosis made, your orthodontist or dentist will decide if you need orthodontic treatment and develop an appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

If you have any of the following conditions, you may need orthodontic treatment:

Crossbite: Biting may cause the upper teeth to not fall slightly ahead of the lower teeth, or they may slightly outside the lower posterior teeth.

Open Bite: A space that occurs between the biting surfaces of the front teeth when the rest are clamped down.

Midline Shift: This occurs when the imaginary line that divides the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the lower teeth.

Underbite: When the patient has a “bulldog” appearance, of lower teeth falling far forward or the upper position.

Overbite: When the crowns of the maxillary anterior teeth almost completely cover the crowns of the lower teeth.

Spacing: Separations, gaps or spaces between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not occupy the space that they should

Crowding: When the teeth are too large to be accommodated within the space provided by the jaws.

Orthodontic treatments in Costa Rica involve various types of devices, fixed and removable, which are used to move teeth, retrain muscles and correct the growth of the jaws. These devices work by applying gentle pressure on the teeth and bones. The severity of the problem will determine the most effective orthodontic approach.

The bilingual orthodontists at the Flikier Institute have been trained in Costa Rican and North American universities. They are members of the various orthodontist professional organizations such as:

• Costa Rican Academy of Orthodontics (ACO)
• College of Dental Surgeons of Costa Rica (CCDCR)
• American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
• World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO)
• Latin American Association of Orthodontics (ALADO)
• Federation of Orthodontics of Central America (FAOCA)

Unlike other dental practices in Costa Rica that cater almost exclusively to dental tourists who seek implant treatments, the Flikier Institute takes pride in offering orthodontic solutions to locals and dental tourists alike.