Orthodontics also known as orthodontia and dentofacial orthopedics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Orthodontic treatment helps prevent and cure functional and aesthetic problems that are caused due to malocclusion and/or a faulty bite. Crooked teeth and teeth that are mal-aligned are harder to keep clean, and thus they are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay or subsequent periodontal disease, and such mal-alignment can cause extra stress on the masticatory (chewing) muscles that can lead to headaches, neck pain , jaw pain , and temporomandibular joint disorders. Our team of dentists and specialized orthodontists can determine whether you can benefit from such treatment.
A proper evaluation is carried out based on various diagnostic tools which include a full medical history, a dental clinical examination, study models of your teeth, full mouth x-rays, skeletal x-rays along with intraoral and extraoral photographs, all of which will help us develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
If you have any of the following, you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment:
Increased Overjet and overbite – where the upper front teeth are too far forward over the lower teeth or too far overlapping.
Underbite – where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back.
Crossbite – when the lower teeth come forward and overlap the upper teeth keeping them behind the lower teeth.
Open bite – space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth.
Habits –Snoring, mouth breathing, grinding, thumb sucking, speech problems lip biting which affect the dentition and associated facial structures.
Our team of specialized Orthodontists will carefully customize your treatment plans to ensure they are best suiting the outcome you desire. Orthodontic treatment can vary from simple cases which only take months to treat, to very difficult ones which may take a couple of years, depending on the complexity of the case but the benefits of having an expert provide your orthodontic care will be well worth it. We are willing to work with our patients in order to help them achieve a beautiful smile.
Things to Remember
No Visits = No Monitoring = No Good ! The reality is that the health of your gums, teeth and jaws cannot be monitored during treatment if you are never seen by a qualified orthodontist. Even the most carefully planned treatments need to be closely monitored to ensure that your treatment stays on a proper timeline, should a problem arise or a mid-course treatment correction is needed it is addressed immediately. The good news is that today’s technology has allowed patients to extend intervals between appointments to as long as 8 to 10 weeks.
Orthodontic treatment is NOT purely cosmetic ! There’s much more to orthodontic treatment than meets the eye. An improved appearance is the most obvious result. But when teeth and jaws are in alignment, it means function (biting, chewing, speaking) is improved, too – a dual treatment benefit!
Orthodontic treatment is not just for children ! Patients of all ages, young and old, can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Age is not a concern when it comes to getting a healthy, beautiful smile. Increasing number of adults are now opting for orthodontic treatments to improve their appearance and increase their functionality both of which helps take their confidence to a whole new level.
Orofacial and Myofunctional Disorders : These can also be solved with certain removable orthodontic appliances which can be used at an early age to reduce the requirement of fixed orthodontic treatments at a later date. As they say preventive is always better than curative treatment..
The field of orthodontia has revolutionized drastically in the last few years. Increasing number of products and treatment options are now available which have reduced treatment time, are more patient compliant, and cause little to no discomfort to the patients. It is imperative then that you choose an Orthodontist that is well trained and up to date with the most recent and latest advances in technology and equipment to get the best treatment possible.