What is Orthodontics? [Types, Treatment]

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry bringing healthier smiles to people across the globe. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws.

Most likely, you know someone who had orthodontic treatment. According to research, one third of people across the world have worn braces. Orthodontics can help improve your well-being in numerous ways, including by enhancing the appearance of your smile, chewing and speech function, and lowering your risk of dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

The Evolution and Scope of Orthodontics

There are so many interesting facts about orthodontics. Modern orthodontics first came to light around 1819, by French dentist, Christophe-Francois Delabarre. He created a precursor to the braces we use today, by using a wire that fit over teeth to help them straighten overtime.

More recently, clear aligners have become an increasingly popular method to straighten teeth. Clear aligners were first introduced in 1997 by Standford University students, Zia Chishti and Kelsey Worth.

Common Orthodontic Problems

Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth:

Losing baby teeth prematurely or retaining them for longer periods of time can be detrimental to your child’s oral health. Orthodontic treatment can help identify and treat oral problems such as the early or late loss of baby teeth to prevent them from developing oral problems.

Difficulty Chewing or Biting:

When teeth are misaligned, chewing and biting may become uncomfortable and challenging. Trouble chewing or biting can also be a sign of gum disease, jaw issues, dry mouth, and other oral issues.

Crowded or Misplaced Teeth:

Crowding or misplaced teeth are one of the most common orthodontic problems people face. Teeth crowding can make it hard for you to remove oral bacteria and food debris, which increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral problems.

Biting the Cheek or Roof of the Mouth:

Misalignment of the teeth and jaws can result in accidently biting your cheek or the roof of your mouth. This often occurs when individuals have a crossbite, and can cause oral trauma and pain.

Protruding Teeth:

Teeth that protrude or stick out further than normal place individuals at an increased risk of tooth injury. Protruding teeth often develop as a result of genetics, ectopic eruption of teeth, oral habits such as thumb-sucking, and gum disease.

Bad Bite:

A bad bite, also termed malocclusion, refers to the improper positioning of the upper and lower teeth together. Common irregular bites include an open bite, underbite, excessive overbite, and crossbite.

Facial Imbalance or Asymmetry:

Facial imbalance or asymmetry is often caused by orthodontic problems. Orthodontic treatment can help influence the position of the lips, chin, and facial profile for a more balanced appearance.

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Who Is Orthodontic Treatment Not For?

There are some cases in which dental orthodontics may not be recommended. Orthodontic treatment requires the complex movement of teeth, which requires a healthy foundation of supporting oral tissues. Individuals must not have any active oral diseases present to qualify for orthodontic treatment.

Individuals with oral conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer, for instance, are not candidates for orthodontic treatment. Certain medications, such as those containing bisphosphonates, may also disqualify individuals from having orthodontic treatment. Speak with your dental professional to determine if you are a candidate for orthodontics.

Types of Orthodontic Treatments

There are several types of orthodontic services available. Common orthodontic appliances include traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and retainers. Continue reading this section to learn more about the different types of orthodontic treatment.

Traditional braces

Orthodontic braces are one of the most common orthodontic appliances used. Braces involve metal brackets, bands, wires, and orthodontic ligatures. Overtime, braces shift your teeth into their proper positions. Other types of braces include ceramic braces and lingual braces.

Invisalign

Orthodontic aligners offer a discreet way to straighten your teeth. Invisalign is a popular clear aligner brand that has transformed the smiles of many individuals. The aligners are custom-made trays that can be taken on and off, and function similarly to braces. Each set of trays produces designated movements to the teeth by applying gentle pressure.

Retainers

Retainers are standard appliances used once orthodontic treatment is completed. Retainers function to hold your teeth in their new positions. On average, retainers are worn full-time for the first six months after orthodontic treatment, and nighttime wear for a lifetime thereafter to maintain treatment results.

Orthodontic Treatment Process

Orthodontics dentistry involves a few steps to get you to your dream smile. The first step of the process is an orthodontic consultation. Once you are determined to be a candidate for orthodontic treatment, your dental professional will create a treatment plan and will talk to you about your smile goals. Once treatment begins, you will be scheduled for routine appointments for care. After treatment is completed, you will have scheduled follow-up visits to ensure the treatment results are maintained.

Consultation

An initial consultation with an orthodontist or dental professional is necessary to determine if you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment. Early orthodontic treatment is extremely beneficial for patients, as it helps tackle dental issues before they worsen and improve overall well-being. Your oral condition will be assessed, and diagnostic records will be taken, such as dental X-rays, molds, and photographs of your smile to aid in treatment planning.

Treatment Planning

Taking into consideration your chief concerns and goals for your smile, along with your medical and dental history, and diagnostic records, your dental professional will develop and discuss with you a comprehensive treatment plan. Your treatment plan will include all of your options to enhance your smile. They will answer any questions you may have and explain the treatment process.

Fitting and Adjusting

Once you are ready to start treatment, you will be seen to fit your orthodontic appliances. If you are getting traditional metal braces, they will be placed on your teeth and a wire will be inserted into the brackets and held in place by elastic ties.

For clear aligners, removable trays created from molds of your teeth will be placed onto your upper and lower teeth to help shift them into good alignment. You will have regular adjustment appointments throughout your treatment to change your orthodontic wires, check an appliance, or deliver clear aligner trays, depending on the type of orthodontic appliance you have.

Adjustment appointments are necessary to accurately reposition your teeth into their proper alignment. At these visits, your dental professional will ensure that your teeth are moving correctly.

Follow-up and Maintenance

After orthodontic treatment is complete, your smile results are maintained with retainers. Your dental professional will recommend either permanent or removable retainers to preserve the alignment of your teeth and bite. They will discuss retainer wear and maintenance instructions and schedule to see you for follow-up visits. At these follow-up visits any necessary adjustments will be made to your retainers.

Cost and Insurance Considerations for Orthodontics

The cost of orthodontics can depend on the type of orthodontic treatment and your dental insurance plan.

Wondering does dental insurance cover orthodontics? Orthodontic coverage can vary based on insurance plans. Many dental insurances do cover a specific amount of coverage for orthodontic services, but many also have age restrictions for the coverage. Orthodontic insurance for adults can be more challenging to find.

Great Lakes’s Expertise in Orthodontics

Our team of expert dental professionals at Great Lakes Family Dental Group offer exceptional orthodontic care for you and your entire family. We offer several types of leading orthodontic services for individuals of any age, including traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign ® clear aligners, lingual braces, and more. Our orthodontic specialists are looking forward to providing you with top-notch individualized care. Contact us today to schedule for a consultation at one of your convenient locations.

Conclusion

Most of us aren’t born with straight teeth. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can help us achieve a straighter smile! According to statistics, approximately 25-53% of individuals will need orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry aimed at diagnosing, preventing, and treating misaligned teeth and bites.

Orthodontic benefits are plentiful, including improving the look and function of your smile. When your jaws and teeth do not properly align together, oral health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, dental injury, and jaw pain can occur more frequently. Consulting with an orthodontist specialist is important to help identify and treat oral issues so that you can maintain a healthy smile.