Introduction
Human beings have been aware of their oral health for thousands of years. People realized the importance of having healthy and aligned teeth as early as 1000 BC. After years of hard work, research, inventions, and discoveries; dentistry has today reached a mark where it is as essential as any any field of medicine.
Dentistry today has multiple branches wherein the experts provide solutions to different sorts of problems related to oral health. Some of the most common specialties of Dentistry are:
- Periodontics
- Orthodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Endodontics
- Pedodontics
- Oral Pathology
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Restorative Dentistry
- Geriatric Dentistry
Orthodontics
The term is made of two Greek words: “Ortho” means straight or correct while “dontics” means teeth. Hence it is defined as the branch of dentistry that deals with the positioning of wrongly placed teeth. It treats all sorts of bad bites or malocclusions.
In other words, Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with improving the way the teeth look or appear. This includes change in their position, or straightening them thus enhancing their functionality. Therefore it deals with all the orthodontic problems like teeth crowding, crossbites, improper bites, spacing, impacted teeth, inappropriate tooth eruption, etc.
Benefits of Orthodontics
Orthodontics in Livonia practice various treatments & techniques and help their patients with multiple dental problems. Here are the most common benefits of this branch of dentistry:
- Improvement in the function of teeth
- Better speech & pronunciation
- Reduced Risk of dental infections as there are fewer chances of food getting trapped between teeth
- Fewer chances of gum injury due to bad bites or malocclusion
- Cosmetic Correction & better appearance
- Enhanced Self Esteem
Five Common Treatments in Orthodontics
Orthodontics treatment has now become quite popular. Here is a list of the most common sought-after treatments in this specialty:
Braces: This has to be the first and most common of all the treatment types. Braces are used by everyone from kids to adults. A lot of advancement has been made in this category to meet the needs and requirements of patients of all age groups. Hence the braces used today are easy to maintain and wear.
Here are the three most common types of braces used by orthodontists in Livonia:
Metal Braces: They are the traditional braces that are still the choice of many patients because they are cost-effective. Metal brackets along with metal wires are used to exert pressure on teeth and pull them to the correct position. They are usually used for orthodontic treatment in kids.
Lingual Braces: They are very similar to the traditional braces but are preferred because they are applied on the back side of the teeth. Hence they are not visible. So people who are conscious about wearing braces opt for these as one can barely make out if you are using them.
Self-Ligating Braces: They are a little advanced compared to metal braces as they use a clip instead of a rubber band to keep the wire intact onto the bracket. As a result, there is less friction, and therefore you do not have to visit your orthodontist very frequently.
An advanced version of these are the clear self-ligating braces that are made of material like ceramic which easily blend with the teeth. Therefore they are hardly noticeable and more preferred choice of teenagers.
Invisalign: It is an alternative orthodontic treatment for traditional metal braces. They are customized clear braces made from BPA-free plastic. These braces also reduce the treatment time to half and are comfortable to use.
These are very popular among teenagers as they are not visible, less painful, and easy to use. They are perfect for the treatment of open bite, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and overcrowded teeth. Another advantage is that the movement of the teeth with Invisalign is more precise as compared to the metal braces.
Orthodontic Headgear: This is a complicated treatment. Headgear is an appliance that is used when braces are not enough to correct the malocclusion. This is a big appliance that is partly worn outside the mouth and affects the growth of the mouth and jaws.
Different types of orthodontics gears are used to treat different problems. The entire treatment program is designed by the orthodontists in Livonia keeping in mind the needs of patients. Headgear is worn strictly as per the instructions of the orthodontist to get the desired results.
Teeth Retainers: They are custom-made devices used to keep the teeth intact in new positions after the removal of braces. Teeth do not become firm immediately after the use of braces. The daily routine of chewing, and grinding can exert force that might move them from their newly gained positions.
Therefore removable or fixed retainers are used to further fix the position of teeth, gums, bones & muscles. Since they help the teeth to retain their new position, they are called Retainers or Teeth Retainers.
Orthognathic Surgery: It is commonly referred to as Jaw Surgery. There are a lot of people who have problems in their jaws from birth or develop later in life due to some accident or some underlying health issue.
The jaw surgery is a long process that includes multiple steps before and after surgery. Problems like crossbite, overbite, underbite, cleft lip & palate, cysts, obstructive sleep apnea, etc. are treated by orthognathic surgery.
All the above procedures are quite common parts of orthodontic dentistry. Nowadays the Orthodontic Damon system is also gaining popularity as it is a more effective and comfortable treatment. It is more advanced than the traditional braces. The treatment mechanics utilized use less force and give a brighter smile.
Conclusion
This branch of dentistry helps in dealing with a lot of big and complicated dental problems related to functionality. So if you are facing any type of jaw problem problem or malocclusion, you should immediately consult an orthodontist.
Masri Orthodontics has a team of experts who can help you deal with all sorts of dental problems, whether it's related to the alignment of teeth or bad bites.
Your teeth are precious pearls. Take good care of them. Smile confidently.
