Orthodontics is the treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws, which includes overbites and underbites, crooked or crowded teeth, or teeth with too much space between them. An orthodontist is a specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat oral health conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth. They use special devices such as braces and retainers to fix these problems. The most common orthodontic procedures are lingual braces, headdresses, jaw surgery, palatine expansion, and orthodontic bands.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional orthodontic appliances in that they adhere to the teeth and work to correct misalignment. Headdresses are worn for a certain amount of time each day to help correct misalignment. Jaw surgery is used to correct severe misalignment of the jaw. Palatine expansion is used to widen the upper jaw.
Orthodontic bands are cemented onto the teeth to help correct misalignment. Orthodontists receive additional training after dental school in order to gain more knowledge about this field. This additional training enables them to install braces and diagnose a misaligned jaw. Orthodontic procedures align your teeth, improve your bite, and use a fixed or removable appliance to do so.
The process of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the patient's needs. The orthodontist will recommend the correct times per day and for how long the patient should wear their helmet. Over time, the orthodontist will tighten and adjust the wires, add brackets to the teeth, and add orthodontic elastics to the treatment. This procedure is often most beneficial for children before their jaws have fully grown.
In addition to traditional braces, there is also a procedure called lingual braces which are attached to the back of the teeth instead of the front. Everyone is different when it comes to oral care, so there are different types of orthodontic procedures available for each individual patient. Certified orthodontists are trained to diagnose and treat oral health conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth. Orthodontists specialize in helping their patients get the best, healthiest smiles from their wildest dreams.
