WHAT ARE ORTHODONTICS?

PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT

Dentistry is a broad branch of medicine with many different branches such as surgery, pedodontics, Oral Medicine, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Conservative Dentistry, and of course, orthodontics. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that primarily deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various facial and dental irregularities such as bad bites, crooked jaws, and aligning misaligned jaws.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ORTHODONTICS?

The different types of orthodontic treatments include:

1. Traditional Braces: This type of orthodontic treatment involves the use of metal brackets and wires to move teeth into proper alignment. The orthodontist will use a series of brackets, bands, and wires to slowly and gently move the teeth into the desired position.

2. Invisalign: This type of orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move teeth into the desired position. The aligners are custom–made to fit the patient’s mouth and are designed to be nearly invisible.

3. Lingual Braces: These braces are placed on the back of the teeth, so they are essentially invisible. They are ideal for those who want to maintain a more discreet treatment.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORTHODONTICS AND DENTISTS?

Dental orthodontics and dentists both work together to ensure that the overall oral health of the patient is maintained. Unlike orthodontists, however, dentists deal with a comprehensive array of issues while orthodontists are dental specialists that deal with far more complicated dental procedures.

A general dentist is almost similar to your family general medical doctor. Dentists are skilled at general diagnosis and treatment techniques of common issues that affect human teeth. General dentists take care of patients of all ages and perform dental procedures like teeth cleaning and teeth whitening. Dentists are not trained in procedures that involve orthodontic treatments so a family dentist will refer you to an orthodontist if you require specialized treatment.

WHAT DO ORTHODONTICS DO?

Orthodontists are registered specialists that have attended additional training for three years. The training is comprehensive and covers several areas including facial growth and development, orthodontics, biology and biomechanics, and so on. Dentists usually join orthodontist training programs in order to become accredited.

Orthodontists are specialists in correcting misalignments of the jaw and teeth. When the jaw or teeth are misaligned, it can lead to a number of serious issues such as speech defect, challenges chewing and difficulty maintain general dental hygiene. Some of the most common issues treated by orthodontics include:

Anteroposterior deviations: Examples of Anteroposterior deviations include over and underbites that can make it hard to speak and chew.
Overcrowded teeth: Orthodontists usually realign the teeth using various unobtrusive devices and treatments like Headgear and facemasks, Dental braces, and Retainers.
Aesthetics: The orthodontist has the skills to restructure and realign the jaw, lips, and teeth so that an even smile can be created.

WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START SEEING ORTHODONTICS?

Orthodontic treatment can start as early as the age of 7. Early interceptive treatment can start with braces and aligners so that the teeth can be shaped from an early age for the best smile possible. Individuals are encouraged to keep seeing the orthodontist on a regular basis as these professionals play a very imperative role in preserving good oral health at all times.

If you’re considering getting braces, contact Westgate Dental Centre your nearby dentist in Maple Ridge, to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment to discuss your options. We look forward to helping you get the smile you deserve!