A good smile with well aligned teeth, indeed boost your appearance and therefore, self confidence. Conversely, crowded or crooked teeth can do the opposite. Furthermore, crowded teeth make proper cleaning of teeth difficult and sooner or later, this inability to maintain proper oral hygiene results in multiple dental problems.
. Orthodontic treatments involve aligning of teeth, in order to make your appearance and functioning of facial muscles better and also to improve the oral health. Orthodontic treatments can be performed by either your family dentist or an orthodontist.
When Do You Need Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment is indicated, if you have crowded or crooked teeth, spaces between the teeth or overbite or open bite or cross bite. It is best to invest in orthodontic treatment procedures at younger age as it can prevent multiple dental problems in the future. Furthermore well aligned teeth boost up your looks and self confidence.
Orthodontic Techniques
Family Dentists or Orthodontists adopt a variety of ways to align your teeth, depending on specific issues.
Braces are the most common means used in orthodontic work and are composed of several parts:
- Brackets, cemented on to each tooth
- Wires fit into each bracket
- Elastics holding the wires in place on each bracket
- Braces can either be all metal, clear, or colored, depending on what you prefer
There are also other types of treatments that may be used on their own or along with braces to give you the best possible results:
- Headgear – Orthodontic headgear is a type of appliance which can be attached to dental braces that aids in correcting more severe bite problems. Most of the time, these need to be worn only overnight.
- Removable Appliances – These are custom made and removable, and are intended for simple tipping movements of one or few teeth. They can be worn before or during the use of braces
- Retainers – These are custom-made removable devices, usually made of wires or clear plastic, those hold teeth in position, given upon the removal of dental braces to keep teeth in position while assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums to changes in the bone. Most patients are required to wear their retainer(s) every day and night at first; however, in due course, their usage may be restricted only to night time. There are also fixed retainer consists of a passive wire bonded to the tongue-side of the front teeth.
- Surgical treatment – Extreme cases of misalignments of teeth, overbite or open bite or cross bite caused due to jaw defects, necessitate alignment of jaw through oral surgical procedures. Orthodontic braces may be used, subsequent to surgery, if indicated.
To ensure successful Orthodontic Treatment
- Promptly follow you doctor’s instructions for best results. Teeth can shift if you are not following proper care and usage instructions for headgear, appliances or retainers.
- Be aware that orthodontic treatment can cause discomfort. You may experience pain when the teeth are being moved; mostly, it is only a mild discomfort which you may get used to, in some time. Make sure you consult a medical professional if the pain is unbearable. So be prepared.
- Be patient. The process can take not only months but also years and there are many deciding factors, such as your age and the seriousness of the issue at hand. Promptness in attending follow-up visits as per schedule is also an important factor in timely completion of treatment procedure.
- Regardless of the difficulty, strictly maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. The devices being used can make this routine difficult; however, take extra time to ensure good oral hygiene, as it will prevent further issues in the long run.