ORTHODONTICS
Orthodontics is a field of dental medicine which deals with straightening malpositioned teeth and jaws using fixed and mobile braces.
A clinical examination is necessary for establishing the right orthodontic therapy.
In child and adolescent jaw development, orthodontic therapy is used as a prophylactic measure.
Wearing an orthodontic appliance improves dental esthetics, but its functional aspect is crucial.
Orthodontics is used to bring the patient’s upper and lower jaw (occlusion) into a harmonious relationship, preventing possible dental, periodontal and temporomandibular complications.
There is no age limit for orthodontic therapy, although it is mostly conducted in adolescence.
WHY WEAR AN ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE?
The esthetics of front teeth
Prevention of caries formation on teeth inaccessible to cleaning
Prevention of temporomandibular joint pain due to malocclusion
Child and adolescent jaw development
Pre-surgical therapy of severe anomalies (prognathism)
Pre-prosthetic therapy
TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES
REMOVABLE APPLIANCES
They are worn only at an early age, during the phase of jaw development.
FIXED APPLIANCES
They are the most common type of orthodontic appliances. Fixed braces correct the broadest range of anomalies and can be worn at any age.
TYPES OF BRACES
METHODS
THE LINGUAL METHOD
The method of placing braces on the inner surfaces of the patient’s teeth
INVISALIGN
An orthodontic technique of straightening teeth using clear trays (aligners) – “The Clear Brace.”
