Orthodontic Treatment

• Improving Oral Function: Correcting bite issues to improve chewing and speaking.
• Enhancing Aesthetics: Aligning teeth and jaws to improve facial aesthetics.
• Preventing Dental Problems: Reducing the risk of decay, gum disease, and tooth wear by correcting crowded or widely spaced teeth, making them easier to clean.
• Promoting Long-Term Oral Health: Aligning the teeth to distribute bite forces evenly, reducing stress on the jaw joint (TMJ) and muscles.

Common Orthodontic Problems

• Crowding: Insufficient space for all the teeth to fit normally.
• Spacing: Gaps or spaces between the teeth due to missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth.
• Overbite: The upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth.
• Underbite: The lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth.
• Crossbite: One or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth.
• Open Bite: There is a vertical gap between the front upper and lower teeth when biting down.

The Orthodontic Treatment Process

• Initial Consultation: Involves an examination, discussion of dental history, and possibly X-rays.
• Treatment Planning: The orthodontist develops a customized plan, including the type of appliance needed, the duration of treatment, and any preparatory work that might be necessary.
• Application of Appliances: For braces, this involves attaching the brackets and inserting the wires. For aligners, the patient receives the first set and instructions for use.
• Adjustment Period: Regular visits are necessary for adjustments, progress monitoring, and addressing any concerns.
• Retention Phase: After the active phase of treatment, retainers are usually required to keep the teeth in their new position.