What is Orthodontics?
The term Orthodontics is derived from two Greek words, namely, dontics which means teeth and orthos, which implies correct or straight. Thus, orthodontics describes a dental practice of leveling up malocclusions or misaligned teeth. Orthodontics is a branch of specialist dentistry that involves straightening misaligned teeth.
Dentists who are experts in orthodontics can help patients manage abnormal teeth posi
tioning, odd jaws, and face. A person experiencing underbite or overbite, crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth, or misaligned jaws should visit orthodontics to rectify those misalignments. It can result in eating and speaking difficulties. Although orthodontic treatments are slow, they were once done; they permanently change the teeth positioning, thus straightening and aligning teeth.
Cosmetic orthodontics involves enhancing the appearance of a person’s teeth to better their smile. Natural malocclusion is when a person is born a lousy bit, while acquired malocclusion is when obtains them as they grow mainly through bad habits such as sucking thumbs while a teenager or an injury. Whichever the cause, the most important is treating such misalignment. Note that malocclusion, also known as the bad bite, can cause long-term dental health problems.
Are there benefits to Orthodontics?
Yes! Straightening misaligned teeth or aligning improper teeth positioning reduces the chances of gingivitis or severe tooth decay, which can have dire dental health consequences in the future. A frequent improper bite can harden the teeth alignment procedure or even causing more pain to floss. This can compromise oral hygiene of the affected teeth area, thus affecting the entire oral health. Orthodontics can effectively rectify the following dental issues.
- Closing unattractive gaps between teeth
- Ensuring proper alignment of jaws and teeth.
- Straightening crooked teeth
- Enhancing proper oral functioning like speech and eating.
- Mending improper bites.
- Other orthodontics benefits include.
Apart from enhancing the cosmetic appearance of a person’s teeth, other benefits of orthodontics include but not limited to;
- Improving the self-esteem of a person.
- It enhances teeth functionality, such as better pronunciation, speech, and chewing.
- It reduces the possibility of dental caries common in a person with misaligned teeth, mainly due to the collection of food particles in those misaligned teeth.
- Reducing chances of gun injury and pain resulting from malocclusions and overbites.
The objective of performing an orthodontic treatment is to;
- Improving teeth appearance and offering a cosmetic correction.
- Ensuring a healthy and functional bite
- It prevents common teeth diseases.
What are some of the dental misalignments/ malocclusions that orthodontics can be used to treat effectively?
- Crowded teeth
Do you know that poor teeth alignment / crowded teeth can occupy largemouth space result in reduced mouth space? The result of this is poor bite which in turn causes an unattractive appearance. Teeth overcrowding is common in Upper canine teeth.
- Deep overbite
This happens when both the bottom and top front teeth aren’t correctly aligned, causing the teeth to bite the mouth roof. Frequent biting can result in the palate or even damaged gums. The consequences are dire since they can lead to gum diseases, tooth wear, and even tooth loss.
- An open bite
It happens when the upper teeth’ bottom end doesn’t align correctly with the upper end of the lower front teeth, thus causing insufficient chewing.
- Cross biting
When teeth ends are misaligned, they do not meet, causing an unsightly teeth appearance, easy to erode teeth, and insufficient chewing.
- Enhanced overjet
It is the protrusion of upper front teeth and may arise from sucking of fingers or thumb at teenage age resulting in uneven bone growth.
- Spacing
Results from artificial teeth spacing mainly from missing, smaller, or poorly developed teeth.
Techniques adopted by orthodontics experts when treating misaligned teeth.
The incredible thing about orthodontics is that it can be done in children, adolescents, and adults depending on the nature of teeth alignment to be done. Removable braces are used to straighten teeth. These braces can be straightened or adjusted so that they allow the teeth to grow and develop in the right way. Go and see the people at www.pgadentistry.com to help yourself out today.
What are the risks of having orthodontics treatment?
Although orthodontics’ benefits outweigh the risks, surely we can’t ignore the risks involved in this treatment. For instance, the chances of not achieving the desired results after treatment are one of the main dangers that most orthodontics work smartly to overcome. However, it is essential to note that orthodontics is a safe and affordable way of straightening teeth.