Orthodontics
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is a branch of dentistry that addresses the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. It may also focus on modifying facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopedics. Orthodontic treatment can lead to better oral health, improved aesthetics, and enhanced function of the teeth.
Goals of Orthodontic Treatment
- Improving Oral Function: Correcting bite issues to improve chewing and speaking.
- Enhancing Aesthetics: Aligning teeth and jaws to improve facial aesthetics.
- Preventing Dental Problems: Reducing the risk of decay, gum disease, and tooth wear by correcting crowded or widely spaced teeth, making them easier to clean.
- Promoting Long-Term Oral Health: Aligning the teeth to distribute bite forces evenly, reducing stress on the jaw joint (TMJ) and muscles.
Common Orthodontic Problems
- Crowding: Insufficient space for all the teeth to fit normally.
- Spacing: Gaps or spaces between the teeth due to missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth.
- Overbite: The upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: The lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: One or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth.
- Open Bite: There is a vertical gap between the front upper and lower teeth when biting down.
