Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry which focuses on the treatment and correction of the teeth and jaws that are
positioned improperly, aiming at the ideal aesthetics and function, while correcting the quality of the individual’s life.
Orthodontic treatment is the art of treating the mal-positioning and disfiguration of teeth and the jaws.
Simply, it is aligning crooked teeth and correcting mal-positioned jaws by means of braces or other types of appliances.
Orthodontic disorders develop due to genetic and environmental factors.
Abnormalities of teeth and jaws in parents may be seen in their children, too.
They may also develop in children due to oral habits including long-term bottle feeding or pacifier use;
thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, nail-biting; pen or pencil chewing, and open-mouth breathing.
It is mostly preferred in younger children.
It is the most commonly preferred mode of treatment, and is more economical
compared to porcelain veneers or lingual braces.
Porcelain veneers have a more aesthetic appearance.
They are mostly preferred by adult patients.
Lingual braces are out of sight.
They are preferred more often in patients who care about an aesthetic appearance.
As they stay in the oral cavity, they may be difficult to use.
The major disadvantage with lingual braces is their greater expense.
The major disadvantage with this method is
their limited use only in a few patients.
Multiple plates are used during the treatment. They have a highly aesthetic appearance.
Brackets or wires are not involved in this mode of treatment.
It is applied to patients,
who have not undergone orthodontic treatment at childhood or to patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment
previously but their teeth moved back to their
original positions.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialty discipline of dentistry that examines and treats the alignment of the teeth and jaws, as well as their placements in relation to the bones of the skull.
Who is a specialist in orthodontics or who is an orthodontist?
A dentist, who has successfully completed a postgraduate three-year of specialization period or who earned the postgraduate doctorate degree after successfully completing a four-year education in the Department of Orthodontics, is a “Specialist in Orthodontics” or “Orthodontist”. An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed a further three-year training in this speciality; and a specialist in orthodontics is a dentist who has attained a doctorate degree after a further four-year training.
What causes crooked teeth?
Orthodontic disorders develop due to genetic and environmental factors. Abnormalities of teeth and jaws in parents may be seen in their children, too. They may also develop in children due to oral habits including long-term bottle feeding or pacifier use; thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, nail-biting; pen or pencil chewing, and open-mouth breathing.
Is orthodontic treatment an option for adults?
Yes. Achieving success in orthodontic treatment is possible in individuals of all ages if they have good oral hygiene and a healthy mouth.
Do braces hurt? are they damaging for teeth?
Brackets are put on teeth to keep the dental arch-wires in their appropriate position so that orthodontic forces will be distributed over the teeth. After attaching brackets to the teeth with a special bonding material, arch-wires are placed in the brackets connecting the teeth in order to correct misalignments. Neither of these procedures cause pain. Orthodontic interventions do not damage your teeth if you take care of your teeth to achieve good oral hygiene and if you brush your teeth and your braces after each meal during the treatment. Otherwise, food particles will accumulate around the brackets and wires, increasing the risk of tooth decay and leading to bleeding and inflamed gums.
How will you know if your children needs an orthodontic treatment? what are the Indications for dental braces treatment?
Several clues may indicate the potential for orthodontic problems in early childhood. These include;
Disproportionate jaw or facial features
Open-mouth breathing
Difficulties in functioning (chewing, speaking, etc.) or in occlusion
Having bad oral habits such as finger sucking, nail-biting or cheek and lip chewing
Extreme protrusion or retraction of the jaws
Protrusion of the front teeth
Malocclusion, meaning that the upper teeth do not fit properly over the lower teeth
Early or late falling out of baby teeth
Crooked, misaligned or unerupted teeth
Correction of these abnormal findings requires placement of removable or fixed dental appliances.
What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is the art of treating the mal-positioning and disfiguration of teeth and the jaws. Simply, it is aligning crooked teeth and correcting mal-positioned jaws by means of braces or other types of appliances.
Are all dentists entitled to perform an orthodontic treatment?
As orthodontics is a specialty discipline, not every dentist is entitled to perform an orthodontic treatment. It is prohibited by law, too. If you suffer from any orthodontic problems, you should see a specialist in orthodontics, or your dentist will refer you to one.
What is the ideal age to start orthodontic treatment?
The ideal age to start correcting the improper positioning of teeth and jaws range between 10 and 12 years. Early treatment is critical in correcting jaw abnormalities and damaging oral habits. However, treatment should start immediately after birth in cleft palate patients.
How long does an orthodontic treatment take?
The average duration of treatment is usually 18 months. But it may vary depending on the type of treatment and the age and cooperation of the patient.
Will the braces be noticeable?
Yes, metal brackets and metal arc wires are noticeable. Braces are unnoticeable when aesthetic looking porcelain brackets, intraoral arch-wires or clear plates are used, therefore, your orthodontic treatment will not be obtrusive.
What are the advantages of starting orthodontic treatment early?
There are advantages of early treatment:
Guiding the development of jaws and appropriate positioning of permanent teeth are made possible.
Bad oral habits that could damage the teeth and the adjacent tissues are stopped.
Structural and functional disorders of the upper respiratory tract are treated by collaborating with the relevant medical specialists.
The potential traumas due to protruded upper front teeth will be prevented.
The appearance of the patients is improved enhancing their self-esteem.
