Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth to improve their appearance and functioning. It can also help care for the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and jaw joints by distributing bite pressure over all of your teeth. An orthodontist is a dentist who has received two or three years of additional training after graduating from dental school. They are trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat tooth and jaw irregularities, as well as correct existing conditions and identify potential problems in the future.
Orthodontists work with people of all ages, from children to adults. In young children, orthodontic treatment can guide proper jaw growth and help permanent teeth come out properly. Straight permanent teeth can help prevent dental problems later on. Adults can also undergo orthodontic treatment, and more and more are doing so.
In Pakistan, to enroll as a student or resident in a postgraduate orthodontic course approved by the Medical and Dental Council of Pakistan, the dentist must graduate with a degree in dental surgery (BDS) or an equivalent degree. After the end of orthodontic treatment, there is a tendency for teeth to return, or relapse, to their pre-treatment positions. To reduce pain during orthodontic treatment, low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT), vibrating devices, chewing devices, brainwave music, or cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating “bad bites” (malocclusion). If you have a bad bite or large spaces between your teeth, you may want to see an orthodontist. Most orthodontic work begins in the initial stage of permanent dentition before skeletal growth is complete.
However, there is a lack of conclusive scientific evidence on the health benefits of orthodontic treatment, although patients who have completed orthodontic treatment have reported a higher quality of life than untreated patients who undergo orthodontic treatment. In order to receive orthodontic treatment, you must not have any serious dental problems, such as extensive tooth decay or gum disease. But in addition to the aesthetic benefits, orthodontics offers better chewing function and better oral health. It's important that your dental team continues to check your teeth while you receive orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists offer a wide range of treatment options to straighten crooked teeth, correct irregular bites, and align the jaws correctly.
