Orthodontists are specialists in the treatment of abnormalities in the teeth, jaw, and facial bones. They work with your general dentist to create a straight, beautiful smile.
The dentist will tell you to see an orthodontist if your teeth are overcrowded, crooked, or have gaps between them. These issues are not just cosmetic - they can affect how you eat and speak, cause headaches and jaw pain, and even cause bone damage.
An orthodontist can help fix these problems through several different treatments. The type of treatment you get will depend on the problem you have, and your orthodontist will be able to recommend the most effective one for you.
Your orthodontist will begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your mouth and teeth. This will include taking X-rays, making plaster models, and photographing your teeth. The orthodontist will also discuss your options for treatment and explain the costs.
They will then advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your situation and may prescribe removable or fixed appliances. The most common type of appliance is braces, which are bonded to your teeth and have arch wires threaded through them.
These are used to gradually move and straighten your teeth and can be made from metal or clear materials. The length of time that you need to wear them will vary from person to person, but for most people, it takes about one year.
Removable or fixed appliances can be headgear, a retainer, or an aligner (such as Invisalign). The type of appliance you need depends on the type of problem you have and your orthodontist will give you advice on which is best for you.
Headgear is a small mouth guard that’s worn to prevent injury to your front teeth and gums while you are wearing the fixed appliances. It’s usually worn at night and is not suitable for chewing or drinking.
Another alternative to fixed appliances is clear aligners that you can remove so you can eat and brush your teeth. These aren’t suited to everyone and are more expensive, but they can be an effective solution for some cases.
A clear braces is also a good way to correct a gap between the teeth. This can be a problem if your child’s teeth are crowded, or if you want to improve the appearance of your smile.
Your orthodontist may suggest a fixed space maintainer keep a small gap open until your child has a permanent tooth. This helps to guide the growth of your child’s jaw and ensure the teeth are coming in correctly, which can help to prevent future problems with your child’s dental health.
The orthodontist will then recommend the most appropriate treatment for your situation and may recommend that you attend regular appointments with them to check on your progress. They may also need to change the size or shape of the appliances or make changes to your treatment plan if you have new problems after your first appointment. Knowledge is power and so you would like to top up what you have learned in this article at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodontic_technology.