What Is Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a procedure that involves moving and straightening the teeth to improve their appearance and function. It’s considered a dental field that pays close attention to the long-term health of the jaw joints, gums and, more importantly, the teeth, by ensuring that pressures within the oral cavity are spread evenly.
Why Should One Have Orthodontic Treatment?
Many dental issues can make one opt for orthodontic treatment. For example, orthodontic treatment can help you straighten and better position crooked and crowded teeth.
Orthodontic therapy is paramount if the upper teeth look unsightly because they stick out. The protruding or prominent teeth can easily be damaged in accidents. Therefore, orthodontic treatment will move them back into the jawline and prevent serious complications.
Orthodontic treatment is also necessary if the lower and upper jaw can’t meet correctly and cause incorrect bites.,When teeth don’t meet well, the jaw muscles tend to strain, and sometimes you will feel headaches and jaw pain. Orthodontics relieves such jaw pain.
At What Age Should One Have Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is more effective in the early life years. However, adults also benefit, but in a smaller proportion than children. Before starting orthodontic therapy, you should wait until enough permanent teeth are out in children.
Who Performs Orthodontics?
A specialist with extra qualifications is typically the ideal person to conduct orthodontics. A dentist who specialises in doing orthodontic procedures is called an orthodontist.
What Does it Involve?
The most important part of orthodontic treatment includes full-scale assessment and investigations. Investigations involve the evaluation of the teeth with dental x-rays. After obtaining proper teeth impressions, plaster models are created.
Will One Need to Have Teeth Taken Out to Make Room?
For orthodontics to be effective, you need space from the permanent teeth. Therefore, if there isn’t enough space, it’s created by removing some of your permanent teeth. It would be best to discuss with your dental team whether this should happen.
What Is The Procedure For Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment has six basic steps, which include:
- Initial Examination
Your medical and dental history need to be documented, and your condition also needs to be evaluated and discussed to determine whether orthodontics is the best treatment option. You also need to make payment arrangements.
- Preparation for Braces
The orthodontists use 3D images from the diagnostic records to make the brace and spacer if needed.
- Installation of Braces
The third step is when braces are put on your teeth. This step is exciting. Bands, wires and brackets are all fitted to your teeth. If you have opted for Invisalign, you will get the first set of clear aligners.
- Follow-up
Orthodontics has an active phase that involves frequent checkups. The teeth should be moved to the ideal position actively. Therefore, the orthodontist will schedule visits to monitor your progress. Checkups usually happen after every six to eight weeks.
- Removing the Braces
Once a perfect bite relationship is achieved, the orthodontist will have to remove the braces. The length of time from installation to removal depends on the severity of your condition. However, on average, it ranges from 12 to 24 months.
- Retention Phase
A retainer is used during the retention phase, and an orthodontic treatment specialist will have to guide you on how and when to wear it. You need a few checkups in the retention phase to ensure that your orthodontics journey is successful.
