WHAT ORTHODONTICS CAN DO FOR YOU?

The obvious effect of orthodontic treatment is a bewitching smile with beautiful well-aligned teeth. However improving appearance is only one aim of orthodontics. The profession is mainly concerned with promoting good oral health by straightening crowded, easy-to-decay teeth. Crowded teeth tend to have more decay because they trap food and are harder to keep clean. Orthodontic treatment also relieves extra strain on gums and bones when teeth do not meet properly. Such strain leads later to gum disease and premature loss of teeth. Teeth which are protruded i.e. set outside the jaws, tend to become weak faster thereby shortening their lifespan. Well-aligned teeth are able to provide better chewing function and this leads to good digestion and better nutrition. Orthodontic treatment does wonders to a child’s self-esteem. Most heart-warming to orthodontist and parent is seeing a child’s self-consciousness disappear as orthodontic treatment brings the teeth, lips and face into proper proportion.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

In general crowded teeth, teeth which overlap each other, protruded teeth i.e. the upper teeth jutting out far ahead of the lower teeth, rotated teeth and teeth which are unevenly spaced, indicate a need for orthodontic treatment.

Also, if any of the lower teeth bite outside the upper teeth,…. if front teeth do not meet when back teeth are closed….. if teeth cannot chew properly….if lips don’t come together normally ….mouth breathing ….thumb sucking – all these conditions may indicate the need for orthodontic treatment.

WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR TREATMENT?       

There is no best age for treatment. Each case determines its own best starting time. The thumb rule is that at age 7 years, a child must have a check-up with an Orthodontist. This is because that’s the time the permanent teeth start coming in the mouth and the orthodontist can recognize whether the child is developing orthodontic problems or not. Early treatment between the ages of 7-10 years can help guide facial growth, prevent more serious problems, be easier on the child and be more economical. It can often provide benefits that are unattainable at a later age, as well as shorten the time It may save you time, money and dental problems later. In some cases doing early treatment may even save the child from treatment with fixed braces later on. So even if your general dentist tells you to wait till the age of 12 – 13 years because braces are fixed at that age, it would be worthwhile to have a consultation with an orthodontist.

ORTHODONTICS IS A LOT MORE THAN KIDSTUFF.

Braces are no longer just for kids. More and more adults are now seeking orthodontic treatment and today you will see people in their forties & fifties who are wearing appliances. Some are purely improving their looks because beautiful, straight teeth are a social and business asset. Some are treating health problems because braces can correct some jaw and joint disturbances that can cause uneven bite, teeth grating, headaches etc. Also, an orthodontist can help patients undergoing periodontal (gum) treatment by shifting the teeth to areas of healthy supporting bone.

HOW DO BRACES WORK?

Very simply put braces work by applying gentle pressures to living teeth, moving them in living tissue. Teeth are moved quite slowly so that the tissue around the moving teeth remains firm and healthy. The forces used are very gentle, precise, controlled and designed to act for a specific period so that the natural strength of the teeth and supporting tissues is maintained. Years of training, schooling and experience give the orthodontist the skill to handle tooth movement. The treatment is not painful but for the initial period of discomfort which is usually a matter of getting used to new appliances. After sometime braces become a part of your mouth much the same way as spectacles become a part of your face. Depending on the amount of movement required total treatment could take anywhere from 15 to 30 months. After the initial four or five quick visits at the start of treatment, most visits are at intervals of 3-6 weeks. Retainers are worn after active treatment with braces, to stabilize the teeth in their new position.

WHAT ABOUT TAKING OUT TEETH?

In many cases the orthodontist will prescribe tooth removal, usually one tooth from each side of both jaws.  That means four teeth in all. This is necessary because in such patients the size of the jaws is smaller than the size of the teeth and there is not enough space for all the teeth to be set on the jaws. So the teeth overlap each other and become crowded or get pushed outside the jaws and become protruding. Since the jaws cannot be expanded to create more space, the only alternative is to reduce the number of teeth so that the remaining teeth can be set in a straight line.  The teeth normally extracted are the premolar teeth.

In a many cases, however, the orthodontist may decide to treat the case without taking out any teeth.

BRACES CAN BE BEAUTIFUL TOO!

As with all health delivery services, orthodontics is changing too. Some of the more visible changes relate to the appliances themselves. Braces are much smaller and less conspicuous now. Braces have also become more colorful catching the fancy of the younger lot. For adults and the more socially conscious patients, we have a choice of transparent, ceramic and even fiberglass braces all of which merge with the tooth colour reducing their visibility to a minimum. In fact we even have white or tooth-colored wires to move the teeth! Then we have Lingual Braces which are fixed on the inside surfaces of the teeth, towards the tongue. These are not visible at all. In some cases we can do treatment with Clear Aligners worn on the teeth, these again are not visible.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY

Successful orthodontic treatment requires more than the Orthodontist’s skill. It requires teamwork between patient, parent, and orthodontist. Certain phases of orthodontic treatment are impossible unless the patient follows instructions religiously.

The patient has to brush more frequently, in fact after every meal and every snack, because braces and wires tend to trap food particles. Also the patient has to spend more time and effort in keeping the teeth clean. There are no restrictions in normal diet. However sticky things like toffees, chocolates, chewing gums, bubble gums are to be avoided, as these tend to loosen or bend the braces and wires. Hard things like guavas, corn, toasted bread, are also to be avoided for fear of breaking the braces and wires.  It is imperative that the patient is regular in keeping his appointments. Delayed or missed appointments can not only prolong the treatment but also compromise the treatment results.