What’s orthodontic treatment? Orthodontic treatment is a specific kind of dental treatment that focuses on aligning your bite and straightening your teeth. It can also help maintain the long-term health of your teeth and gums, as well as your jaw joints, by distributing the biting pressure evenly across all your teeth.
Different Types of Orthodontic Treatment
- Invisalign: Invisalign is a popular dental treatment option that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. This treatment is ideal for orthodontics for adults who want a discreet and convenient solution.
- Metal Braces: Metal braces are a traditional solution that uses stainless steel brackets and wires to straighten teeth. Metal braces are one of the most effective orthodontic services for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, from mild to severe.
- Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are another type of dental treatment that uses clear or tooth-colored brackets and wires to straighten teeth, offering a more discreet alternative to metal braces for teens and adults.
- Palatal Expanders: Palatal expanders are another option that uses a device to widen the upper jaw and create more space for teeth to grow. This treatment is often used in conjunction with other orthodontic services to achieve optimal results.
- Retainers: After completing your treatment, your orthodontist will ask you to wear retainers to ensure your teeth won’t shift back into their original positions.
- Headgear: Headgear is another option that uses a device to apply gentle pressure to the teeth and jaw to correct bite issues, often in conjunction with other orthodontic services like metal braces.
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Frequently asked questions
- Orthodontics for Children: This category is specified for children and adolescents, typically between the ages of 7 and 18. Treatments may include interceptive orthodontics, which aim to prevent or minimize future orthodontic problems, and comprehensive orthodontics, which involves full treatment to correct bite and alignment issues.
- Orthodontics for Adults: This category is typically aged 19 and above. Treatment may include clear aligners, such as Invisalign, ceramic braces, or metal braces and may be used to correct a range of issues, including crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, .
- Orthodontics for Special Needs: This category is used for individuals with special needs, such as those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or other developmental disabilities. Treatment may be modified to accommodate an individual's specific needs and may involve collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
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- Clear aligners (like Invisalign)
- Metal braces
- Ceramic Braces
- Palatal expanders
- Retainers
- Headgears
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Orthodontics means treating the misalignment of teeth and jaws, like underbite, overbite, crooked teeth, gaped teeth, and other kinds. An orthodontist is one who specializes in treating these issues using devices like braces or retainers to fix the issues.
Anyone, regardless of age, who has crooked or crowded teeth or other types of bite problems that affect proper chewing and speaking may benefit from orthodontic treatment. Additionally, orthodontists can also address jaw disorders, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which can cause tension and pain in the surrounding muscles and joints.
Orthodontic treatment can cause some discomfort, but it is generally not painful. You may experience some soreness or tenderness in your teeth and gums after the brace's adjustments, but this typically subsides within a few days. Mild over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate any discomfort.
If left untreated, orthodontic issues can lead to problems with chewing, speaking, and oral hygiene. Untreated bite problems can also increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth wear. Additionally, it can affect self-esteem and overall quality of life.
It's generally not recommended to get braces if you have cavities or untreated tooth decay. Orthodontic treatment can exacerbate existing dental problems, making it harder to clean your teeth and increasing the risk of further decay. It's best to address any cavities or dental issues before starting dental treatment.