Orthodontics - Treatment, Procedure And Side Effects

Dentistry has many branches, one of them is orthodontics. It corrects improperly positioned teeth and jaws and treats an abnormal bite. Teeth that are not fitted together and crooked teeth cause several problems. It is harder to keep clean and always has the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Improperly positioned and crooked teeth cause extra stress on the chewing muscles leading to other issues like a headache, neck and shoulder pain. The appearance of a person gets hampered because of a crooked tooth or for teeth that are not in the right place. Orthodontics helps in having a healthier mouth, a better and pleasing appearance and teeth that would last a lifetime. Orthodontic treatment is based on certain diagnostic tools like special X-rays and pictures of your teeth. Orthodontics includes the treatment of various aspects of facial growth (dentofacial orthopedics) along with the development and shape of the jaw, as well. Previously, orthodontics was known as orthodontia. The term ‘orthodontia’ comes from the Greek word ‘orthos’ that means ‘straight, proper or perfect’ and the word ‘dontos’ means ‘teeth’. Orthodontics treatment helps in straightening crooked teeth, closes wide gaps between two teeth, improves oral functions and prevents excessive wearing out of the teeth.

• Aligners: An invisible alternative to the traditional braces and can be removed while eating or brushing and flossing.
• Lip and cheek bumpers: The bumpers relieve the pressure that lips and cheeks exert on the teeth.
• Removable retainers: Being placed on the roof of the mouth, these prevent in allowing the teeth to shift in its previous improper position
• Splints: It is also known as jaw repositioning appliances and trains the jaw to close favourable position.

• Braces: The most common fixed tool is the brace. It consists of bands, wires, and brackets. Bands are set around the teeth while the brackets are used to bond to the front of the teeth. The archwires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. The procedure tightens the wires and puts pressure on the teeth, forcing them to move to their proper position. Braces are adjusted monthly, and they come in colours for kids and bright styles for adults.
• Fixed space maintainers: It is used to keep the area where the baby tooth is prematurely lost until a new tooth grows.

• Overbite: If the upper front teeth stick out over the lower teeth.
• Underbite: If the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back.
• Open bite: If there is a space between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth when the back teeth bite together.
• Crossbite: The upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together.
• Crowding: When there are far too many teeth crowding your mouth.
• Spacing: Sometimes a missing tooth leaves a space between the teeth.

• Intra-oral or inside the mouth: Tooth decay is the most common if the patient is not careful about oral hygiene or if the treatment goes on for a length of time. Decalcification can occur on the tooth after the treatment leading to small white lesions. People wearing braces are more prone to decalcification.
• Extra-oral or outside the mouth: It is uncommon but it includes infection from the metal nickel from the brace, or the patient might be allergic to latex, the material used in the gloves of the operator. Temporomandibular dysfunction may also occur.
• Systematic side effects: There is a rare chance of having cross-infection if the instruments used in the treatment are not sterilized properly.

• Improves confidence
• Enhances overall dental health
• The orthodontist works with the general dental specialist to make a long-term plan of action
• Can help patients of all ages
• Innovation has improved to where not all gadgets are exceptionally recognizable.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

• Tooth decay: An orthodontic patient is progressively inclined to dental rot as supports make it hard to keep your teeth clean. It is significant that careful oral cleanliness is kept up; alongside this, your dentist may likewise recommend fluoride mouth rises to prevent caries.
• Root resorption: If excessive force is applied to teeth, it might bring about root resorption and even loss of teeth. It is significant that the dental specialist applies moderate and supported force on teeth.
• Loss of periodontal support: The trouble in keeping up oral cleanliness additionally may cause separation of the periodontal tendon of your teeth. Once more, it is significant that legitimate oral cleanliness is kept up.