Orthodontic Dentistry
- Orthodontics relates to the correction of malalignments in teeth and jaw bone
- Orthodontic treatment is a journey that requires patience, trust and perseverance
- Orthodontics ensure healthy smiles and pleasing profiles, and the best result is obtained when treatment is initiated very early in the primary or mixed dentition stage
- Adult orthodontics is very common and age is not a hindrance to undergoing orthodontic treatment
- The various orthodontic appliances are
- Removable Appliance
- These are used to correct very minor issue and has to be used early in life before bone fully hardens
- These are also used as retainers at the culmination of fixed orthodontic therapy
- Habit Breaking Appliance
These are provided to cease negative habits like thumb sucking, lip biting, tongue thrusting, which have the potential to disturb the bone and tooth architecture
- Functional appliance
- These are provided during the growth stage when the discrepancy between the two jaws is significant
- They ensure a healthy and natural alignment of the bone along with its supporting structures
- Fixed Appliance
- These are commonly referred to as clips or braces
- Fixed appliances are the most common and very effective in producing changes to the dentition
- They have various components and the brackets are available in stainless steel and ceramic
- Fixed orthodontic therapy is a slow but sure process, necessitating tooth removal at times, effecting a pleasing and permanent change in appearance and occlusion
- Retainers
- Retainers are provided after orthodontic therapy to maintain the newly moved teeth in their new position till bone forms around them completely
- Retainers may be removable or fixed and their type and duration will be decided depending on various parameters
- Aligners
- Aligners are the latest concept in orthodontics
- They can be used in mild to moderate cases
- They comprise a set of trays effecting minor movements
