What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the science which deals with the correction of jaws and crowded
and malaligned teeth. It is a branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities
Why Orthodontics?
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This contributes to
tooth decay and gum disease. A bad bite also causes difficulty in chewing or speaking
and potential jaw or joint problems. Children and adults whose malocclusions are
left untreated may lack confidence and go through reduced self-esteem in life, affecting
their performance in all spheres of life. Many problems,if left untreated, worsen
with time and may require extensive dental care later.
Who is an Orthodontist?
An Orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of
dental and facial irregularities and has the vision, foresight and skills to proficiently
place orthodontic appliances and achieve corrections for your teeth, jaws and face
that will last a lifetime.
At what age should one visit the orthodontist for orthodontic treatment ?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child should first
visit an orthodontist no later than age 7. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems
with jaw growth and emerging teeth while milk teeth are present. That’s important,
because many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early
age. Even if a problem is detected, sometimes immediate treatment may not be required
and a wait-and-watch approach is taken.
What are indications for Orthodontic treatment?
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Malaligned,irregular or crowded teeth
- Protruded teeth or spaces between teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Patients with habit of thumb sucking, nail or lip biting tongue thrusting, mouth breathing
- Small or large size jaws
- Upper and lower teeth meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet leading to difficulty in chewing
- Unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
What are the benefits of Orthodontic treatment?
- Increased ability to maintain oral hygiene
- A more attractive smile
- Better function of the teeth
- Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth, minimizing jaw-joint problems
- Better long-term health of teeth and gums
- Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Aids in optimizing other dental treatment
- Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
- Helps in developing high self-esteem and confidence during critical development years
How does Orthodontic treatment work?
Braces use steady, gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions.
The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are
the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to
return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth
to their new, more ideal positions.
What will happen at the first appointment?
We ask you to fill a form to get a brief history about you. Then, we do the clinical
examination and advice X-rays and other diagnostic records. We discuss about the
types of appliances, the time required and the cost of the treatment in brief. During
your first visit, it's great if both parents can come along with a child patient
and if you are an adult, we're very happy if you bring a relative or partner with
you.
How long will my orthodontic treatment last?
Treatment time varies according to each case from 10 months to 26 months; but
the average time is from 14 months to 18 months, depending on your individual needs.
Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction.
Treatment time is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral
hygiene, care for your braces and keeping regular appointments are important in
completing treatment on schedule.
What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?
Phase I or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment before
all of the permanent teeth have erupted between 7 to 11 years of age.It is recommended
to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites and
underbites or harmful oral habits and most importantly correction of the small
or large sized jaws. This is done by expander or partial braces, functional appliances
or headgears. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because
it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between
the ages of 11 to 14 years.
How often will I need to visit?
Once the appliance fixation is done, you need to come every 6 to 8 weeks depending
on what type of appliance you choose and your stage of treatment. Self-ligating
appliance requires fewer visits and less chair-side time compared to others.
How much will the treatment cost?
It varies from case to case. Also, the cost depends on how severe or complicated your treatment is,
treatment time required and what type of brace you choose. Payment can be done in installments depending on the appliance
type you select.
What is Adult Orthodontics?
Braces can improve a person’s smile and confidence at any age. Actually, Orthodontic
treatment can be done by those who for any genuine reason couldn’t get this treatment
done in their early years.Adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful
smile and a healthy bite. The biological process of tooth movement is the same.
Many adults are now taking advantage of improving their smile because of increased
awareness about their personality and with less visible, smarter braces, adults
are happier than ever.
Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?
Yes. It’s never too late. Orthodontic treatment can be successful
at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty-five to thirty
percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.
Are there any risks with Orthodontic treatment, especially adults?
Orthodontics is one of the least invasive ways to improve your smile and is suitable
for almost everyone.As for adults, we carefully check to see if there are any reasons
why you should not undertake treatment and will explain the risks,if any, to you.
Also, during treatment you will need to take a little more care to keep your teeth
clean.
I see ads for perfect teeth in only one or two visits to the dentist. Will that
give me straight teeth?
Quick-fix veneers temporarily cover crooked teeth. Teeth straightened by an orthodontist
are good for life.
What is retention phase and will I need to wear a retainer?
Retention phase is a very important phase of the orthodontic treatment where we
maintain the changes we have made during the treatment. Retainers help to keep the
teeth straight. If they are not used, relapse can occur and all our invested efforts
and time will be a waste.
Do I need to see my dentist during my orthodontic treatment?
Yes, please. We like to maintain a good relationship with your dentist throughout
treatment and keep them informed about your progress. We also ask you to see your
dentist for your normal check- ups every six months.
Should I see my family dentist after the treatment?
Yes, you should continue to see your family dentist every six months for dental check-up. It’s a healthy habit to get a dental check-up done every six months
by your family dentist to maintain good dental condition and a beautiful healthy
smile.