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Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
Braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections.
The early warning signs of a bad bite are:
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Upper front teeth protrude or are
"bucked"
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Top front teeth cover more than
25% of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are biting
together
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Top front teeth grow in behind the
bottom front teeth
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A space exists between the top and
bottom front teeth with the back teeth biting together
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Crowded or overlapped teeth or
extra teeth
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Baby teeth are slow falling out
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The centers of the top and bottom
front teeth don't line up
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Finger sucking habit continuing
after 6 years of age
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Difficulty chewing
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Teeth wearing unevenly
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Jaws that shift off center when
the teeth bite together
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Excessive spaces between teeth
that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear
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Teeth or smile often hidden by
hands
Correct age for
starting orthodontic treatment
The most confusing question for most parents, and some general dentists,
is when to actually start treatment. The objective is to treat at the
time when it will minimize treatment time, achieve a normal profile, and
get the best long term, stable result. Some orthodontic problems start
developing at the age of 6 to 7 years, and it is usually a good time to
get an initial consultation, especially if the parent or general dentist
suspects that a problem may be developing. Though no active treatment
may be initiated at this time in most cases, some problems may need to
be intercepted to prevent them from later developing into complicated
situations. An example of an indication to start early treatment is the
presence of a cross-bite of the front or back teeth. However, if there
are no unusual circumstances, the first visit to the orthodontist should
be at the age of 10 years for girls and 11 years for boys.
Causes of crooked
teeth
Heredity is the main cause although local factors such as finger
sucking, high cavity rate, gum disease, trauma and premature loss of
baby teeth can also contribute to a bad bite.
Teeth Straightening
Poorly arranged teeth can break easily and can trap food particles that
cause tooth decay and gum disease. They can also lead to poor chewing
and digestion which can be bad for your overall health. Finally, poorly
arranged teeth detract from your smile which is one of the more
important features of your face.
Braces use steady, gentle pressure over time to move teeth into their
proper positions. They don't look like they're doing much just sitting
there, but in fact, during every moment in your orthodontic treatment
period, there's something happening in your mouth, something good for
you. The brackets we place on your teeth and the main arch wire that
connects them are the two main components. The bracket is a piece of
specially shaped metal or ceramic that we stick on each tooth. Then we
bend the arch wire to reflect your 'ideal" bite- what we want you to
look like after treatment. The wire threads through the brackets and, as
the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to
actually move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone.
With pressure on one side from the arch wire, the bone on the other side
gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind. It may look like
nothing is happening but we're making a new smile here. Thanks to new
materials and procedures, all this happens much quicker than ever
before. It's kind of an engineering feat.
Braces for Adults
If the teeth and gums are healthy, age is not a factor. About 40% of
orthodontic patients are adults.
Growth modification
These are some special procedures used apart from braces to either
restrict the excessive growth of the jaws or stimulate the under grown
jaws. These techniques are used early during the active growth period of
children just before their puberty using special appliances namely
Bionators, Frankles Appliances, Twin Blocks, Face Masks, Rapid Maxillary
Expansion. The Growth modification helps in achieving balanced Jaws on
which if irregular or protruded teeth present can be treated using
braces as the next stage of treatment.
Functional Jaw
Orthopedics
Growth modification techniques otherwise called as Functional Jaw
Orthopedics are special procedures used between 9 and 12 years during
which time the active Growth of the jaws take place. Diagnosis is made
by Clinical Examination and Face X-rays. If the jaw growth is excess it
could be restricted or if the growth is short can be stimulated to grow
using some special appliances. These procedures eliminate the need for
Orthognathic Surgeries at a later date in majority of cases.
Functional Appliance treatment
If the Jaw growth related problem is diagnosed after the Growth is over
then using both Braces and Orthognathic Surgical Procedures. These
procedures are either done in the Upper Jaw or Lower Jaw or combined
Upper and Lower Jaws. Sometimes Chin Surgeries and Nasal Surgeries may
be needed.
Micro Implants
Micro implants Dentos™ in Orthodontics used as an adjunctive to retract
severely protruded teeth beyond the scope of braces. By using micro
implants in orthodontic the need for surgical Orthodontics has reduced
to a great percentage. These implants are TITANIUM and does not cause
any excessive discomfort and can be easily removed once their action is
over.
Getting Started with
Orthodontic Treatment
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Initial Consultation
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Records like Plaster
models, X-rays, Photographs are done
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Based on the clinical
examination, History and Records a thorough treatment
plan is arrived and explained to the patient and parents
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Braces are bonded using
Direct or Indirect Bonding techniques
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Instructions are given and
patient is off
New Techniques
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Space age low force wires
that remember their original shape allowing teeth to
move faster without kinking.
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Techniques like MBT TM 3M
Unitek are practiced which are established after many
clinical researches and the increased efficacy and
better finish.
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Clear, tooth-colored
braces, and gold braces.
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Totally Invisible braces -
lingual braces.
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Braces glued to teeth with
adhesives that contain cavity fighting fluoride.
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Combined treatment of
orthodontics and surgery for abnormalities that are
beyond the capabilities of orthodontics alone.
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Self Ligating newer Braces
(Smart Clips TM 3M Unitek) have great efficiency, less
force and faster treatment results.
Treatment for TMD – TM Joint Problem
TM Joint is bilateral joint which helps the Lower jaw to open and close
in articulating with the skull bone. Malocclusion and bad bite are the
common reason for this problem and causes annoying pain of head and
neck, muscles of mastication becomes sore and causes even pschological
disturbances. Careful Diagnosis is done and treatment done using
medicines and SPLINTS
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