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>> About Orthodontics >> Why Orthodontics?
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WHY ORTHODONTICS?
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WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?
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Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that is officially known as Orthodontics
and Dentofacial Orthopedics. It is a science which deals with the correction of
jaws and crowded and mal-aligned teeth. An Orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
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WHY ORTHODONTICS?
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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. For most people, a beautiful
smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. However, most people don’t know
that a healthy bite protects your teeth and jaw joints. Orthodontic treatment can
enhance your smile and confidence and ensure a healthy bite. An attractive smile
is a wonderful asset. A pleasing appearance is a vital component in personality
development as well as a person’s general attitude toward life !
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INDICATIONS FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
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- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Mal-aligned , 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 at all leading to difficulty in chewing
- Unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
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BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
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- 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.
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HOW ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT WORKS
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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.
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DURATION OF TREATMENT
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Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth
of the patient's jaws and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at
different rates and will respond differently to orthodontic treatment, so the time
to case completion may vary. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber
bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most desirable results.
Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as little as six to eight
months.
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'Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees
all day.' |
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