Who Is an Orthodontist
An Orthodontist is a dental professional expert in diagnosing and treating the irregularities of the teeth and jaws. An orthodontist is a dental doctor who received 2-3 years of traditional training after graduating from dental school.
An orthodontist plays an important role in helping individuals find the perfect solution for their oral health problems. They mainly focus on improving bites and do not perform general dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, or bridges.
Difference Between An Orthodontist Or A Dentist
Dental Conditions
A dentist can identify and treat your dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, excess plaque buildup, and cavities. An orthodontist is instrumental in teeth straightening, minimizing the gap between the teeth and alignment of the jaw.
Orthodontic professionals can help patients get over the problem of underbite or overbite regardless of their age.
Oral Care
General dentists can help patients create and execute a healthy oral care plan, including scheduled check-ups, dental cleaning, and undergoing diagnostic procedures. Expert dentists conduct root canals, bridges, and several other dental processes.
A certified orthodontist carries out activities pertinent to treatments and procedures involving teeth and jaw abnormalities and occlusion.
What Is Orthodontics?
The oldest of dental specialties, orthodontics is a dentistry that aims to diagnose, prevent, and treat dental malocclusions and tooth irregularities.
Orthodontics has been instrumental in improving oral functionality and enhancing smiles for millions of people. Over time, orthodontic techniques and tools have improved as dental science evolved.
Orthotics is a dental specialty focused on aligning and straightening your teeth. Some common Orthodontics treatments include traditional braces, clear aligners, and removable retainers.
You might need to see an Orthodontist, if you have crooked, twisted, overlapped or gapped teeth. The way your teeth’s fit together has a significant impact on your overall health.
It helps in improving the way your lower and upper jaw meet together, you can also reduce the risk for a host of oral health issues including cavities, gum disease, and excessive wear (erosion).
Who Should Not Have Orthodontic Treatment?
To be a good candidate for Orthodontic treatment, you should not have any serious dental problems like extensive decay or gum disease because placing braces on diseased teeth can negatively impact your overall oral health.
Your dentist will not recommend you to have Orthodontics treatment if you have any of these conditions such as –
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Missing teeth
If a person has one or more missing teeth’s, then it can be complicated to do Orthodontic treatment. The gaps caused by empty spaces can negatively affect the effects of the treatment and can cause unwanted displacements.
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Periodontal Problems
Severe periodontal problems such as periodontitis can weaken the bone support of teeth and hinder their mobility necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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Bone Problems
Abnormalities in bone growth can limit the possibility of dental movements and make orthodontics more unviable.
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Structural Alternatives
In certain cases, the dental and the maxillary anatomy of a patient may not be suitable for placing braces or aligners.
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Young Patients
In young patients like children’s may not have fully grown teeth’s that may cause Orthodontics not possible until their teeth’s develop or are fully erupted.
Types Of Orthodontic Treatments
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Braces
Braces are composed of brackets that are fixed to the teeth’s, and its wires are threaded to the slots in the brackets. Braces can correct various tooth issues, from crooked and crowded teeth to alignment of jaw and bite problems.
The advantages of braces go beyond aesthetics that includes enhancing oral hygiene, improving speech, and making eating more comfortable.
Modern technology has improved braces that offer better comfort and aesthetic appearance and take shorter treatment durations. However, the features that make braces such an effective orthodontic treatment remain the same.
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Clear Aligners
It is a clear, thin, plastic-like tray that is formed to fit an individual’s teeth, and it can easily inserted and removed by an individual.
If you have avoided orthodontic treatments, and now you are an adult, and you don’t want to wear traditional metal braces.
Clear aligners are invisible plastic shells that attach over the teeth. As you wear them, they have a gentle pressure to gradually fit and reposition your teeth.
If you have mild to moderate oral issues, aligner treatments may be the best orthodontic solution that you’ve been looking for.
Lingual Braces
Hidden Placement – Lingual braces are placed on the back (lingual) side of the teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front.
Custom-Made – Each set of lingual braces is custom-designed to fit the shape of an individual’s teeth for comfort and effectiveness.
Effective for Complex Cases – They can correct severe misalignments, bite issues, and gaps just like traditional braces.
Adjustment Period – Since they are close to the tongue, they may initially affect speech and cause mild discomfort.
Higher Cost & Maintenance – Lingual braces are often more expensive than traditional braces and require careful cleaning due to their positioning.
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Retainers
It is thin, clear, and removable, made up of plastic, and is slightly flexible to fit your exact shape and placement of the teeth.
A retainer is a device designed to straighten and position your teeth after orthodontic treatment. Retainers are made up of plastic acrylic wires to fit behind or over your teeth.
Their primary goal is to minimize the tendency of teeth to go back to their original positions.
Wearing retainers as prescribed by a dentist, patients can ensure the long-term success of the orthodontic results, keeping their smiles straight and beautiful.
Benefits Of Orthodontic Treatment
Here are some of the major advantages and benefits of choosing Orthodontic treatment –
Enhanced Appearance
Having a perfect smile often boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. The changes that are brought about by Orthodontic treatments can improve and uplift your appearance, providing more aligned and symmetrical teeth.
Improved Oral Functions
Misaligned teeth and jaws affect the way you bite, chew, and speak. Orthodontic treatment helps to straighten your teeth and can resolve certain other issues surrounding your teeth to help your teeth fit and function properly.
Reduced Dental Issues
Crooked or crowded teeth can be a place for bacteria to hide and grow that can cause oral problems like cavities and gum disease. Having Orthodontic treatment can eliminate the spaces where bacteria can hide.
Proper Jaw Alignment
An Orthodontist can treat conditions like deep overbite, underbite, and crossbite that can strain the jaw. Orthodontic treatment can correct various misalignments, mitigating potential complications and giving you a perfect smile.
At Dacula Dental, we use cutting-edge dental technology to help create trust and confidence for the best service before and after the treatment.
A Perfect And A Confident Smile, Guaranteed
Reference-
International Journal of Oral Science IJOS [Expert consensus on orthodontic treatment of protrusive facial deformities]