Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that helps to correct problems with the way teeth are aligned. It can also help to correct teeth that are overcrowded, as well as dental problems like overbite and underbite.
Correcting Health Risks
These treatments are not performed solely for aesthetic reasons. For example, crooked teeth can be a lot harder to keep clean, putting them at risk of tooth decay. Certain misalignment can also add to tension in the muscles, leading to back pain and headaches.
Therefore, orthodontics can help to make your teeth more healthy as well as improving their appearance.
Conditions Requiring Orthodontic Treatment
It's important to visit a dentist or an orthodontist to discover whether you could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Diagnosis will vary, and can include examinations, taking models of your teeth, x-rays and more.
Some of the conditions that require orthodontic treatment include:
Crowding:
This means there are too many teeth for the space in your mouth.Overbite:
Means that the upper from teeth are too far forward - they stick out over the lower teeth.Underbite:
This means that the lower teeth are too far forward, or that your upper teeth are too far back.Open Bite:
This means you may have problems with the space between your teeth when they bite together, either between the front or the side teeth.Crossbite:
This means that your upper teeth don't come down slightly in front of your lower teeth when you are biting together normally.Spacing:
Your teeth may have gaps between them, perhaps because some teeth are missing or that your teeth just don't fill the space in your mouth.
There are a number of reasons for a bad bite to develop and cause problems when chewing or talking. This could be down to damage to the teeth after having them fractured or knocked out. It can also come about due to prolonged thumb sucking, causing the upper teeth to stick out, or it can happen due to tongue thrusting.
Types of Orthodontic Treatment
A number of different methods are used to help fix these problems. They are designed to move the teeth and retrain the muscles of the jaws. Some of the treatments used include:
Braces:
These are perhaps the most common fixed treatment for orthodontic problems. They consist of brackets, wires and bands fixed around the teeth to make sure they stay in place and realign the teeth properly. Wires are passed through the brackets, and when these are tightened they can help force teeth to move into a new position. They are usually adjusted regularly to keep the teeth gradually moving into place. Braces are warn for different lengths of time, ranging from months to years.Space maintainers:
These are used to maintain space when baby teeth are lost too soon. They keep the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to grow.Retainers:
These are worn on the roof of the mouth and can help to make sure the teeth don't move back to the position they were to begin with. They can also be used to help people stop sucking their thumb.Jaw repositioning:
These are required to help the jaw to close in a more healthy position, worn on either the upper or the lower jaw.Aligners:
These are different to traditional braces, and can help to move the teeth just as braces would. However, the main benefit is that they don't use metal wires and brackets and can barely be seen.Headgear:
This involves a strap being placed around the back of the head with a metal wire in front. This can help to slow down the speed at which the upper jaw is growing, as well as holding the back teeth into position whilst the front teeth are pulled back.Lip and cheek bumpers:
These are used to make sure the lips and cheeks are kept away from the teeth, in order to avoid them from exerting pressure.Palatal expander:
This can widen the arch of the upper jaw, and fits into the roof of the mouth.
The Importance of Orthodontic Treatment
These treatments are extremely important due to the fact that they help with long-term dental health, reducing the risk of tooth decay. They can also help to reduce speaking difficulties and stop teeth from becoming worn out. In many cases, they can also help the teeth to appear straighter and more in line, helping to improve aesthetic appearance.
