Orthodontics Guide

Is almost the same with Orthodontics but more tuned to the relationship between the teeth, gums bone and overall facial structure. There are several things that can go wrong with your teeth that may not have anything to do with how you have lived. Some problems are genetic meaning they are pronounced in your genes and reflect on your siblings and parents.
Trauma can also call for restorative orthodontics which can restore a face and smile damaged by say an accident. Correct bite and alignment are essential for a healthy smile and life for any problems with teeth can often result to dietary issues. Having a healthy set of teeth assures you look stunning everyday as you smile and face the world without fear.

Going to your orthodontist, you may think you are getting a totally different procedure but you might want to consider that they are still dentists in their own rights, just specialized in orthodontics. Your family dentist is always the first line of defense who can say whether further treatment may be needed. They may recommend an orthodontist or be one themselves and continue the treatment by themselves.
Many have differing opinions whether one and the same are okay but any which way, their aim is to get the best smile back onto your face.
More extensive adjustments may need seasoned veterans who have better chances of attaining the best results so ask around for second opinions for you are entitled to do so. No one treatment is best for everything and orthodontic treatments are usually a combination of two or more procedures to attain that bright and healthy smile.

by mheo soriano

•Crossbite
Crossbite is an abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. Here the lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.
When you have this, your upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally. This situation can cause teeth to be more prone to being knocked off.

•Open bite
Open bite is the situation wherein the upper teeth are not able to contact the opposing lower teeth. You have this when there are spaces between the biting surfaces of your front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together

To be continued…

by Chubs

by Chubs

by mheo soriano

Removable retainers
Removable retainers are worn on the roof of the mouth, these devices prevent teeth from shifting of the to their previous position. Removable retainers can also be adjusted and used to prevent thumb sucking.

Headgear
The headgear is an appliance wherein a strap is positioned around the back of the head and attached to a metal wire in front, or face bow. Headgear causes the growth of the upper jaw to slow down,it also holds the back teeth where they are while on the other hand, the front teeth are pulled back. This is usually used for serious cases of jaw dislocation.

by mheo soriano

Lip and cheek bumpers
These devices are designed to keep the lips or cheeks away from the teeth. The lip and cheek muscles are known to exert pressure on the teeth, and these bumpers help alleviate that pressure.

Palatal expanders
The Palatal expander is an appliance used to widen the arch of the upper jaw. It is a plastic plate that is often placed on the roof of the mouth. Outward pressure is then applied to the plate by screws force the joints in the bones of the palate to open lengthwise, widening the palatal area.

by mheo soriano

Bite Plates
Bite Plates are designed to correct deep bites. For best results, it is advisable that it should be worn most of the time except when eating and brushing. It is also imperative to keep it clean at all times to prevent infection. The bite plate treatment usually last for 3 to 6 months or until desired results are met.

Aligners
Aligners serve as an alternative to traditional braces for adults. The number of orthodontist who are using serial aligners is increasing. The process is to move teeth in the same way that fixed appliances work, only without metal wires and brackets. But aligners are virtually invisible and are can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

by mheo soriano

crowding of teeth

•Misplaced midline— You have this when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth

•Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth

•Crowding — when there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?
There are different types of appliances, both fixed and removable, that are used to help move teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws. These devices work by placing mild pressure on the teeth and jaws.

by mheo soriano

The only person that can determine if you can benefit from an orthodontic treatment is your dentist or orthodontist

The judgment will be based on diagnostic tools that include a full medical and dental health history, a clinical exam, plaster models of your teeth, and special X-rays and photographs, an orthodontist or dentist can decide whether orthodontics are recommended, and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

If you have any of the following irregularities, you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment:

•Overbite
Sometimes called “buck teeth”.You have this when your upper front teeth lie too far forward (stick out) over the lower teeth
•Underbite
It is like having the “bulldog” appearance wherein your lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back

To be continued…