ORTHODONTICS: EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW
WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that is responsible for correcting teeth that are poorly positioned or have diastema and crowding. When a person has crooked teeth, they cannot be cleaned easily, so they are at risk of contracting bacterial plaque that causes cavities or periodontal disease.
Orthodontics helps the patient have a healthier mouth and a beautiful appearance, since they will have perfectly aligned teeth so that they can last a lifetime. There are many dental procedures, such as dental prostheses and dental crowns, that solve many problems with our teeth, but this process is for specific cases as we will discuss later.
WHAT MATERIAL IS ORTHODONTICS MADE OF?
Metal appliances are placed that are cemented to the teeth in a linear manner along with some supports, which help to put pressure on the teeth to move them to their corresponding place. The time of use depends on each patient and their need since some may You only need them for some months and others for years.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED ORTHODONTICS?
One of the safest is after being reviewed by the doctor where certain problems are determined such as:
- Overbite or buck teeth: This is the name given to the upper front teeth that are too large and tend to protrude more than the lower teeth.
- Bad bite: It is when the teeth are aligned with the lower teeth, that is, they do not match correctly when the mouth is closed.
- The so-called Bulldog appearance refers to when the top teeth are more outward than the bottom teeth.
- Open bite: It is also known as diastema, which is when there is an exaggerated separation between the teeth.
Crowding or crowded teeth is a very common problem in children, it also tends to be hereditary, the teeth grow on top of each other without respecting each other’s space.
When there are gaps or spaces between the teeth, either due to the loss of one or more specific teeth.
TYPES OF ORTHODONTICS
BRACKET ORTHODONTICS: Without a doubt the procedure most used by dentists and the most effective, since it is not removable, thus allowing the patient not to interfere with the treatment. They are made of stainless steel attached to a wire and with progressive adjustments the malocclusion is corrected.
INVISIBLE ORTHODONTICS: They are transparent aligners that are made uniquely for each patient. Digital planning is used to see the evolution of the teeth. Although orthodontics is easier than braces, its evolution is a little slower. since it can be controlled by the patient and there are times when the established schedules of use are not met. But they also have their advantage, which is to allow better dental hygiene and comfort at a lower cost.
LINGUAL ORTHODONTICS: It is the most excellent aesthetic treatment in the world, the brackets are placed on the back of the teeth, thus making them not visible from the outside.
AESTHETIC BRACKETS: These are made of materials that are as close as possible to the original teeth, such as sapphire and ceramic. It is undoubtedly the highest type of orthodontics with respect to cost.
HOW IS ORTHODONTICS PERFORMED?
For the success of these appliances, progressive pressure is exerted on the teeth and jaw. The type of orthodontics that is placed on the patient only depends on the severity of their problem and thus determines where to focus, that is, whether they will be fixed or removable appliances. According to the Dentakay dental clinic, to perform successful orthodontics, follow the following steps:
- The dentist examines the patient thoroughly before any treatment.
- Panoramic x-rays of the teeth are taken.
- The respective photographs are taken and dental molds are made if necessary.
- The doctor makes a treatment plan taking into account the patient’s specific need to start Orthodontics.
- The braces are placed on the teeth.
Every month the patient goes to the professional for a check-up, change of bands and adjustment of the brackets to apply pressure.
After a time when the teeth already show signs of good alignment and perfect jaw bite, the braces are permanently removed. It is up to the patient to maintain their teeth daily and undergo constant check-ups to avoid any future complications.