Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with treating malocclusions and misalignments of the patient’s teeth structure. There are no age restrictions to begin your orthodontic treatment which means patients can even start their treatment even at a very young age.

TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Orthodontic treatment involves several means by which the orthodontist can improve the patient’s bite and teeth alignment issues. These may arise due to poor jaw growth or unhealthy habits such as thumb-sucking or mouth breathing at a young age. Your orthodontic treatment can help you achieve the below:

• Close off wide gaps between teeth

• Correctly align the tips of teeth

• Re-align crooked teeth

• Improve the ability to speak and chew

• Helps boost the health of gums and teeth

• Prevents any excessive wear or dental trauma

• Corrects bite issues

Efficient and timely orthodontic treatment can not only improve dental health but also enhance your overall facial appearance giving you a pleasant and healthy smile.

Orthodontic Devices

Fixed Appliances

Fixed orthodontic appliances are the most commonly used devices in orthodontics. Examples of fixed orthodontic appliances are braces, space maintainers, and special-fixed appliances. Braces consist of brackets, wires, and elastic bands. The wires would pass through the brackets and would be fixed to the bands. The archwire is tightened and over time, teeth would be moved into its right position. Space maintainers prevent unguided tooth movement until the permanent tooth comes through. Special-fixed appliances help control tongue thrusting or thumb sucking in children.

Removable Appliances

Removable orthodontic appliances can help treat dental problems such as thumb sucking or correcting slightly crooked teeth. Wearing removable appliances have an added advantage as they can be taken out while eating, cleaning, or flossing. Common examples of removable orthodontic appliances are aligners, headgear, expanders, and retainers.

Aligners: A virtually invisible alternative to braces, aligners can help treat misaligned teeth. They are changed once in every 2-3 weeks, but this would depend on other factors too.

Headgear: Headgears aims to slow down the growth of the upper jaw maintaining the position of the overall jawbone.

Expanders: Expanders function by widening the arch of the upper jaw. The device consists of a plastic plate with screws placed on either side. These screws exert pressure on the bone joints forcing them outwards.

Retainers: Any excessive teeth movement post a dental treatment can be halted by using retainers.