Orthodontics is a field of dental specialty that is concerned with tooth movement and facial development. This helps patients who need to have their teeth straightened or jaws aligned, either for cosmetic purposes or to help assist them with oral function such as speaking and eating. There are numerous benefits associated with correcting crooked or crowded teeth, including improving the bite, making it easier to clean your teeth more effectively, and helping to improve your facial appearance. This can lead to far greater confidence in the long run. However, before you begin treatment, it’s helpful to learn more about what to potentially expect.
There are numerous procedures that can be used today in the field of orthodontics. To get started, your dentist will refer you to a specialist in this field, who will give you a full examination. During this initial consultation, you can expect to have photographs, X-rays, and impressions taken of your teeth and bite. The orthodontist will also go through your medical and dental history with you. With this information in hand, the dentist can better determine what type of treatment will best benefit you, so that your teeth are able to move more efficiently in line in the shortest time span possible.
Some of the various appliances that are used in orthodontics can include retainers, palatal expanders, and braces. There are also specific procedures that are involved after the initial consultation. Banding is the process that involves physically fitting and cementing the orthodontic bands to your teeth, while bonding involves fitting brackets to the teeth with cement. To remove these same bonds or bands, the orthodontist will undertake debanding and debonding procedures, and retainers can be given to hold these changes in place indefinitely. Modern orthodontic procedures make use of the latest forms of technology for best results.
There are numerous conditions that may call for the application of orthodontics. For example, if you have a overbite or buck teeth, these can be corrected. The same holds true for those whose lower teeth stick out too far forward in comparison to the upper teeth. Spacing in between the teeth can be taken care of with braces pushing these teeth together, while many people find that their mouths are too small to accommodate their teeth, causing crowding. Whether the problem lies primarily with your jaw or with the teeth themselves, there are orthodontic procedures that can help.
The most common type of tool used in orthodontics is the traditional metal brace. These braces consist of bands, wires, and brackets. The bands are fixed around the tooth as anchors for the appliance, while the brackets are bonded to the tooth’s front exterior. These are then tightened monthly as the teeth go through the movement process. Yet there are numerous types of braces that you can choose from today, including invisible brackets and bands. There are also clear aligners that can be used, which typically take less time for treatment than the traditional methods. These are just a few factors to consider when looking at orthodontic treatment.
