Orthodontics means the straightening or moving of teeth to improve their appearance or how they work. Not everyone is blessed to have straight teeth lined up perfectly; this is where orthodontic treatment comes in. An orthodontist is always the best person to consult for this problem because they offer the best advice. The best-recommended age for starting orthodontic treatment is between the age of 8 and 14 years. For comprehensive orthodontic services, Meschke Orthodontics-Wichita Bright Smiles has a team of professionals that ensure clients get high-quality services.
Types of orthodontic treatments
There are four main orthodontic treatment methods: braces, aligners, headgears, palatal expansion, and jaw surgery. The most common type is braces.
- Braces.
This is the most common type of orthodontic treatment, most familiar to children and teenagers, though adults can also use it. The braces are mostly put on the front side of the teeth. They can also be placed on the backside, though rare cases are referred to as lingual braces. Braces consist of wires, bands, and brackets. Braces come in two forms, fixed braces, and removable braces.
- Headgears
This process involves holding the back teeth in position while the front teeth are being treated. It is normally used at night or in the evening as you cannot eat or drink while wearing the device.
- Aligners
These are clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individuals’ teeth. They are removable orthodontic devices, and the patient has to put them on and remove them daily. Their main aim is to move teeth and is usually worn for 2-3 weeks. The patients must remove the aligners when brushing their teeth and when they are having a meal.
- Jaw surgery
Jaw surgery may be required for fixing severe orthodontic problems. This usually involves breaking the bone through surgery and stabilizing it with titanium screws and plates to allow for healing. This is usually followed by the other normal orthodontic treatments, such as moving teeth to their final position.
- Palatal expansion
This form of treatment is used where the upper jaw needs to be widened. The device is in the form of a plastic plate that is fitted over the roof of the mouth.
- Fixed space maintainer
This is an orthodontic treatment that is only used for young children. An orthodontist usually puts a space maintainer in a child’s mouth after they prematurely lose their teeth until permanent teeth start growing.
Signs to See an Orthodontist
You may be wondering when it’s time to book an orthodontic appointment for you or your loved one. Below are some of the red flags that will show you when to see an orthodontist.
- Too Much or Too Little Space Between Teeth
Whether you have too much space or too little space between your teeth, it is a sign that you need orthodontic treatment. There shouldn’t be too much or too little space as this could mean you might have more or less space or even prevent space for other teeth from growing. This can also bring about chewing problems.
- Low Self-esteem
If you don’t feel comfortable about your teeth, especially when you smile, you should visit an orthodontist. Low self-esteem can arise because of many reasons with mostly how the teeth are arranged in the mouth. Have this sorted by an experienced orthodontist.
- Prematurely loss of teeth
When your child loses their teeth prematurely, it may take a long time for their permanent teeth to grow. You can consult an orthodontist for them to be fixed by a fixed space maintainer.
- Misplaced midline.
This is a situation where the center of your upper and lower front teeth don’t line up. This can be corrected through aligners and braces.
- Crossbite
This refers to a situation where the upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth when your mouth is closed. The upper and lower teeth should lay side by side in the normal dental formula when the mouth is closed. Having any falling behind the other shows there is a problem.
- Overbite
An overbite is where the upper front teeth tend to misalign and stick out over lower teeth alignment. Overbites can be corrected by dental braces, Invisalign, surgery, or tooth extraction.
- Underbite
For Underbite, the lower teeth are too far upward while the upper teeth are set too far backward. Underbites can be corrected by a wire or plastic braces that move the teeth to their correct place.
There are various orthodontic treatment methods; your choice depends on what the problem is. Most of the time, an orthodontist will guide you on the best orthodontic treatment option.
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