Some people have developmental defects of the dentition and the maxillofacial skeleton. Such complications occur during childhood, when teeth are just beginning to form. With problems in the development of the dentition, it is quite problematic to properly care for the mouth. Problems also occur while eating, as the jaw muscles are put under strain, resulting in throbbing headaches. Let’s find out what orthodontics is and how dentists perform the treatment procedure.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is one of the fields of dentistry. Doctors who practice this field are called orthodontists.
Orthodontic treatment focuses on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental anomalies. After undergoing a full course of treatment by a specialist, a person will be able to get rid of defects in the development of dental anomalies and get a perfect smile. After treatment, a person will no longer feel headaches after eating, will pass pain in the neck and back. Thus, the treatment will affect not only the dentition but the whole body as well.
Treatment Methods Used in Orthodontics
In orthodontics, there are usually only two methods of treatment, which are hardware and surgical methods. They are prescribed depending on the severity of the defect. Extremely rarely a combined method is used, in which both surgery and special constructions are used. Let’s consider each method.
Hardware method
The essence of the use of this method is that a person is installed removable or fixed construction. It can be braces, plates, retainers or special mouth guards, generally used devices for mechanical alignment of the tooth row with prolonged direct exposure. In other words, the construction used exerts pressure on the jaw and individual teeth. Through the constant pressure, the teeth are aligned after months.
Surgical method
This method of treatment is used very rarely and only in the most problematic situations. The dentist resorts to surgery because the appliance method cannot reduce or enlarge a person’s jaw to the right size. A patient who has been assigned this method of treatment undergoes surgery.
It is worth noting an additional method of treatment – the functional method. Specialists rarely use it for the treatment itself. Most often it is used after the full treatment of the teeth. The point is that the functional method is a gymnastics for the muscles, which aims to improve the strength of the body. If you do gymnastics every day, the facial muscles will function properly, which will avoid problems with the mouth in the future.
Constructions used in orthodontics
It has already been said that orthodontics uses both fixed and removable appliances to treat dental anomalies. The doctor who carries out the treatment must correctly diagnose the anomaly and choose a suitable method of correction. If the wrong choice is made, the dentition may either not be affected positively or the treatment will be extremely ineffective. Once the design is placed in the mouth, gradual pressure will be applied to the teeth and jaw, leading to a complete cure of the anomaly.
Braces
Braces refer to fixed structures and are the most sought-after method of treatment. A person who uses braces for treatment will wear them for one to two years. The period of time depends on the severity of the complication and is determined individually, and may also be increased during treatment (for example, if the patient misses several appointments with the orthodontist). Note that braces are placed on the dentition with the help of a special material that resembles glue.
The arch that is placed with the braces gradually presses both the jaw and the teeth separately. Thanks to the pressure, the teeth are gradually coming closer or apart, depending on the pathology and doctor’s prescription. Once every month to a month and a half it is necessary to pull them up, because during this time, the teeth change their position depending on the doctor’s prescription.
Thanks to the development of the dental industry, comfortable and low-visibility braces have emerged. Colored designs were created for children and clear designs for adults. Because of this development, people who use braces to treat defects in dental development can use the design and still lead a familiar lifestyle.
Upper or lower jaw braces
This type of mouth guard is an alternative to braces. Adults use these braces mainly because the braces can be removed for business conversations for a short period of time. Devices are completely transparent, which makes their use as comfortable as possible. Their principle of action is the same as that of braces. The caps apply pressure to the teeth, so the teeth move to each other.
Why See an Orthodontist?
Dental problems begin at an early age, when a child’s baby teeth are just beginning to show. And they are often problematic because they are not taken care of properly. A child may have cavities or some defect that will develop, but parents will let it slide due to the fact that “the baby teeth will fall out anyway. But parents must remember that it is necessary to treat the baby teeth, because the problem will develop on the permanent teeth and bite. Therefore, it is important to properly care for the oral cavity from childhood.
A woman who is just carrying a baby should take proper care of her health. All food and drink that the expectant mother consumes affects the development of the child and it is especially important to maintain fluoride and calcium levels at all times so that they are at sufficient levels.