What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats irregularities of the teeth and the face. Treatments correct irregular bites or bad bites known as malocclusions. Orthodontic care involves the use of corrective appliances like braces. These devices are used for

straightening the teeth
correcting an irregular bite
closing any unsightly gaps
bringing teeth and lips into proper alignment

They can also help with procedures in the other fields of dentistry like cosmetic dentistry and implant dentistry. Orthodontists can also help young children in proper jaw growth and permanent tooth eruption.

Irregularities in biting

A lot of people's teeth are irregular in one way or another. For instance, teeth can be slightly crowded or unevenly spaced. Experts claim that several adults have an irregular bite and this can cause to an unsightly appearance. Moreover, it can cause difficulty in chewing and talking. You may have inherited your irregular bite but not all bite problems are genetic. They can also be caused by

trauma - when your teeth are broken, knocked out, or replaced, they can fuse with bone around them. This is called ankylosis or the abnormal fusion of the root to the bone. If this happens in a growing child, the teeth will not be able to line up properly in the jaw and it will result in an irregular bite
prolonged thumb sucking or use of the pacifier - these habits will cause problems with your bite. For instance, it may cause your upper teeth to protrude or extend in front of your lower teeth. A tongue thrusting habit when you swallow can also cause this kind of problem
premature loss of your primary teeth or baby teeth - if a primary tooth is lost too early then the permanent tooth will lose its guide. It can drift and come into the mouth incorrectly. In some cases, the permanent teeth will be crowded or they will merely come out partially. The teeth next to the lost primary tooth can move or tilt into the space left by the lost baby tooth. This will prevent the correct permanent tooth from coming in properly

Why should you seek orthodontic care?

Seeking orthodontic care is an individual decision. A lot of people live with crowding, overbites, or other types of bite problems. They do not seek any treatment at all. However, many people feel more comfortable and self-confident with properly aligned and attractive teeth. Through good orthodontic care, you can improve you appearance and build self-confidence.

Orthodontic care is not merely cosmetic in nature because it can also lead to long term dental health. Straight, properly aligned teeth are easier to brush and easier to floss. It can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation that damages the gums and may lead to infections. Bacteria end up clustering in areas where the teeth meet the gums.

People with bad bites also chew less efficiently. Some people with severe bite problems can even have problems getting proper nutrition. This can occur when the jaws are not aligned properly. Fixing a bite problem will make it easier for you to chew foods and digest them.

When your upper and lower teeth are not aligned, you can have difficulty in speaking. This can be corrected through orthodontic treatment combined with speech therapy.

Lastly, orthodontic treatment can help prevent the premature wear of back tooth surfaces. As you bite, your teeth have to withstand a tremendous amount of force. If your front teeth do not meet properly then it can cause your back teeth to wear more.

Who benefits from orthodontic care?

The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that children have an orthodontic screening before they reach the age of seven. At this age, enough permanent teeth have emerged in order to identify potential problems.

You should not wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted in your mouth. Beginning orthodontic treatment early in life will have many advantages. For instance, when children are growing, expansion devices can be used to widen the palate. This can help teeth come in straighter by providing more space and it can also help correct the way the top teeth and bottom teeth meet. If this treatment is done at an early age then there will be great results.

Several people go through orthodontic treatment during their preteen and teenage years. During this time, most of the permanent teeth have come in and the treatment can be very effective. Approximately three million teenagers in the United Stated and in Canada are wearing braces. Many more people can benefit from this treatment.

An increasing number of adults nowadays have to go through orthodontic treatment as well although adult treatment is much more complicated. It may even require more than one dental professional to fully correct a problem. For instance, adult patients may be more susceptible to gum problems and may have to address them. In some cases, they also have jaw alignment problems that need corrective surgery. One of the greatest limitations in treating adults is that they are not growing anymore.

What are the types of bad bites?

An improper bite does not look good and it is the usual reason people seek treatment from an orthodontist. Moreover, an improper bite causes difficulties in chewing. In people with crowded teeth, it can lead to more cavities and gum disease. The treatment of an irregular bite can improve your overall oral health and it can stabilize your bite. Incorrect bites are grouped into the following categories

cross bite - this is when the upper teeth rest significantly inside or outside the lower teeth. A cross bite makes it difficult to bite and chew
crowding - this is when permanent teeth have no more room to move into the right position because there is not enough room for the teeth, if the teeth are unusually large compared with the dental arch, and if the jaw is narrower than it is supposed to be
deep overbite - this happens when the upper front teeth overlap too far over the lower teeth. In certain cases, the biting edges of the upper teeth touch the lower front gum tissue and the lower front teeth bites into the roof of the mouth
under bite - a cross bite of the front teeth is usually referred to as an under bite if the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth
open bite - if your upper and lower front teeth do not meet when you bite then you have an open bite. Since the front teeth does not share equally in the biting force, the back teeth may receive too much pressure and this makes chewing less efficient. This will also lead to premature wear of the back teeth
spacing problems - there are people who have missing teeth or unusually small teeth in a normal sized jaw. This can turn into large spaces between the teeth. People who have lost a tooth or several teeth may have uneven spacing. Adjacent teeth may drift into these unoccupied areas.

Braces and Retainers

Everyone will have a bite that is slightly different so the treatments will vary from individual to individual. Braces are the most common approach to treating bite problems. Braces help in moving the teeth by applying precise amounts of light pressure slowly over a period of time. Orthodontic treatments occur in two phases and they are the active phase and the retention phase. During the active phase, braces or other appliances are used to move the teeth into proper alignment and to correct the bite. During the retention phase, retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new position for the long run. In addition to braces, orthodontists can also use special appliances to direct the growth of the jaw in younger children. These appliances are rarely used in adults because they aren't effective when growth is complete.

How is it like to get braces?

You can choose braces or brackets that are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Usually, orthodontic treatment involves using stainless steel brackets. Sometimes, ceramic or plastic brackets are used for the sake of aesthetics. Plastic brackets can stain and may end up discoloured at the end of the treatment. Bands that are made out of plastic or ceramic will also have more friction between the wires and the brackets. This will increase the time you need for treatment. You should discuss several options with your orthodontist.

The cost of braces can vary but you should expect to pay two thousand to six thousand dollars for it. There are insurance companies out there that will cover the cost of braces and there are also insurance companies that will not cover it at all.

Braces work by gently applying continuous pressure to move teeth in a definite direction. Braces are worn for one to three years on average and the length of treatment depends on how severe your problem is. As the treatment progresses, the teeth will change position and your braces are adjusted.

A few decades ago, braces were made out of thick bands of steel wrapped around the teeth. Today, stronger bonding agents are available. Smaller braces are used and orthodontic bands are rarely used on the front teeth.

When braces are applied, the orthodontist will attach small brackets to your teeth using special bonding agents. Your dentist will place the wires through the brackets. These wires are called arch wires. These arch wires are made from a variety of alloys. They act as tracks to create the path of movement that will guide the teeth throughout the treatment.

Wires are now made from tooth coloured materials and are less visible than the stainless steel wires however they are more expensive and do not work as well as their stainless counterparts. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures can be used to hold the arch wires to the brackets. Patients can choose from several different colours during their visits.

You should expect some minor discomfort during the first few days after getting your braces but you will eventually get used to them in time. At first, your teeth may be sore. The wires, brackets, and bands may irritate your mouth. Most of this discomfort will disappear in a week or two. You will also experience discomfort when the wires are adjusted on every visit. Taking ibuprofen or other over-the-counter painkillers can help in easing the discomfort.

How is it like to wear retainers?

A retainers purpose is to maintain the positions of the teeth after the braces have been removed. When your bite is corrected, your bones and gums need additional time to stabilize and become set in their new positions. The recommended length of time for wearing the retainers will vary. Most children and teenagers wear their retainers well into their twenties or up until their wisdom teeth have completely come out. You should follow your orthodontist's advice regarding retainers so that relapse does not occur. Relapse is when the teeth revert to their former positions.

What are the risks and limitations of orthodontic care?

There are a few risks involved in orthodontic treatment so you should not be troubled. In rare cases, patients have allergic reactions to metal or to the latex. People with periodontal disease are at a higher risk of problems arising during orthodontic treatment because their gums and supporting tissue are more likely to break down. This will lead to the loosening of teeth and eventual tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment should not start unless all evidence of gum disease is eliminated.

Root resorption or the shortening of roots is possible during orthodontic treatment. This is minor and not that significant. In some cases, this can become severe. It can jeopardize the life of the tooth or teeth that are affected.

Your orthodontist will discuss the risks associated with your particular treatment.

Your choices will affect whether you achieve the desired results from an orthodontic treatment. Adults may require treatment from several dentists. Some adults will need implants, treatment of periodontal disease, or even corrective jaw surgery. In many cases, the results of orthodontic treatment are limited because the patient does not want to go through the full treatment. Compromises can be made so that the patient's condition is improved. The treatment options and the expected outcome will depend on the individual. Your orthodontist will review these options with you before starting any treatment.