Orthodontics

Orthodontics is an area of Cosmetic Dentistry that deals with the jaw and teeth. When teeth or jaws are not positioned properly, seeing an orthodontist is imperative because crooked and spaced teeth make cleaning difficult, which can progress to gum disease and tooth decay.

Crooked teeth can cause additional stress on some jaw muscles, leading to TMJ syndrome. Neck pain, and back and shoulder pain can occur as well. A Chagger Dental specialist will look at your teeth, and a treatment plan will be made to go forward. You and your dentist will work collaboratively to decide which method of orthodontics will be best for you.

There are many benefits of receiving orthodontic treatment, such as improving the appearance of your smile and having aligned teeth for easier oral maintenance and home care.

There are a number of conditions that makes you the ideal candidate for treatment. In fact, there are several conditions, mostly including the occlusion of your teeth;

Overbite

This is a condition in which the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth.

Underbite

This is the opposite of an overbite. It is a malocclusion in which the lower teeth extend further than your upper teeth.

Cross bite

This is when the upper teeth do not align with the lower teeth when biting down.

Open bite

This condition is defined as having a space between the biting surfaces, which can either be on the surfaces of the side teeth or front teeth, when the back teeth bite together.

Other conditions that make you a candidate for orthodontics is spacing, crowding, impacted teeth, and more.

There are many devices that can help reposition the teeth as well as retain muscles. This includes devices that are removable or fixed. The devices work by placing pressure on your jaw and pressure on your teeth. As for what approach will be taken, this depends on what the orthodontist recommends during your orthodontic screening, and how severe your specific problem is.

BracesThere are are number of fixed devices, such as braces. Braces consist of brackets, wires and bands, which are placed around the tooth or teeth needing adjustment. The bands or wires serve as anchors, while the teeth are fused to metal brackets. Arch wires are tightened, which places tension on the teeth and eventually this moves the teeth into the correct position. As for how long braces take for completion is case specific and depends on the amount of movement needing to be done. Also, monthly visits to have the wires tightened and examined by professionals is essential.Special Fixed AppliancesThese are designed to get thumb sucking habits under control. They are attached to the teeth via bands. However, they are not comfortable to wear when eating.Fixed Space MaintainersThese are used to keep the space open in the mouth of a child who has lost a tooth prematurely. A band is used as an anchor for the tooth located near the empty spot. A wire is also used.

AlignersAligner Therapy is a alternative to braces and are commonly known as an Invisalign, SureSmile, and ClearCorrect. However, they are nearly invisible, which is why they are popular among adults. Also, they can be removed when a person wants to eat or brush their teeth.

For those who aren’t very keen to wear braces, there are removable space maintainers, which are similar to fixed space maintainers. They are removable and they fit right over the jaw. They are made with wire branches or plastic branches.

Jaw repositioning devices are used on either the lower jaw or the top jaw. They are used to train the jaw to close to a proper position. Sometimes they are used by those who have TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

There are lip and cheek bumpers too, which keep your lips or your cheeks away from your teeth. Besides that, there is a palatal expander, which is worn on the upper jaw arch. This device is a plastic plate and it’s designed to make the palatal area wider.

Another popular option is removable retainers. The retainers are designed to prevent your natural teeth from going back into their improper position. If need be, the orthodontist can modify them for those who want to prevent thumb sucking.

Your specialist will recommend what treatment should be done for you. They may recommend only one type of treatment or provide range of options to give their patients healthy smiles. If you believe you’d benefit from orthodontic treatment, schedule an appointment with Chagger Dental for an orthodontic consultation today.