What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry associated with diagnosis and treatment of deformities related to the teeth, face and jaws. Orthodontists help with improving the function of teeth, maintaining good dental health and providing aesthetic appeal to your smile. Orthodontic therapy can be successfully provided to individuals of any age.
What are the indications for treatment in Orthodontics?
A variety of dental problems can be resolved by orthodontics. They include:
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Misalignment of the dental arches
- Bite correction
- Cosmetic related dental issues
- Problems with tooth eruption and displacement
- Teeth spacing or gaps between teeth
What are the diagnostic procedures in Orthodontics?
To decide if you need orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will enquire about your complete dental & medical history, conduct a clinical examination and order X-rays and/or photographs of your oral cavity. Based on the need, your dentist will then recommend a suitable treatment plan.
What are the treatment options in Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment includes different types of appliances which can be fixed or removable. Your orthodontic specialist will suggest specific treatment based on the severity of your situation.
Treatments with fixed appliances include:
- Braces for teeth positioning
- Special fixed appliances to control thumb sucking
- Space maintainers to keep the space of a missing tooth open until the permanent tooth erupts
Treatments with removable appliances include:
- Aligners, an alternative for braces
- Removable space maintainers
- Jaw repositioning appliances to close the jaw in proper position
- Lip and cheek bumpers to keep the lips and cheeks away from the teeth
- Palatal expander which widens the arch of the upper jaw
- Retainers to prevent teeth returning to their previous position
- Orthodontic headgear which prevents abnormal growth of upper jaw and protrusion of the front teeth