What Are Orthodontics And Their Various Treatments?

Importance of orthodontics to correct the crooked or misaligned teeth
By Burton Family Dental

Orthodontics is an essential branch of dentistry that deals with the proper alignment of teeth and jaws that has been incorrectly positioned. The main objective of orthodontics is to improve the appearance of teeth by adequately aligning the misaligned teeth and thus improve functionality and overall health. The dentist in Burton who specializes in orthodontics is known as an orthodontist. There are various types of orthodontic procedures. The dentist in Burton will scrutinize the patient before determining a suitable orthodontic treatment. It is the responsibility of an orthodontist to prevent, diagnose and treat the irregularities in a patient’s mouth.

When should you need orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment may be necessary when a patient wants to move or straighten the misaligned teeth. It improves their oral health and enhances the aesthetic appearance and functionality of the teeth. Crooked or misaligned teeth can prove challenging to clean, thus leading to the possibility of periodontal disease. Crooked or misaligned teeth can also cause significant stress in the chewing muscles, leading to TMJ disorders.

A person can be eligible for orthodontic treatment if they have one or more of the following conditions such as;

  • Underbite
  • Overbite
  • Crowding
  • Open Bite
  • Spacing
  • Crossbite
  • Misplaced Midline

How does orthodontic treatment work?

A patient will have to use different appliances as suggested by the orthodontist to retain the oral muscles, helping the movement of the teeth and thus impacting the jaw movements. There are fixed appliances and removable appliances. These appliances work by pressurizing the teeth or jaws. Fixed appliances include braces, fixed space maintainers, and special fixed appliances. Removable appliances include aligners, jaw repositioning appliances, palatal expanders, headgear, removable retainers, etc. 

While using orthodontic appliances, a patient should maintain good oral hygiene. Ensure that you brush and floss daily. Brushing should be done at least twice a day. In addition, frequent dental visits at least twice or thrice a year are also required to achieve the best results. A Burton dentist may be able to determine whether the orthodontic appliances have been fit correctly or whether any adjustments are required. The patient should also maintain an excellent nutritious diet and limit sugar intake. Visit the best orthodontist in Burton to check whether the patient is eligible for orthodontic appliances.

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