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Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with irregularities of the teeth and jaw. Orthodontic treatment aims at correcting these irregularities. This treatment corrects the irregularities and realigns the teeth in the correct position.
Need for orthodontic treatment
In the growing up years, many children have misaligned teeth. So, how do you know whether your child needs orthodontic treatment or not? There are certain warning signals that indicate the need for orthodontic treatment. Here are some of them.
* Baby teeth not falling when expected
* Gap between top and bottom teeth
* Problems in chewing food
* Jaws out of proportion
* Crooked teeth
* Biting the roof of the mouth
Apart from these warning signals, there are several tooth conditions in children that call for an orthodontic treatment. These conditions are:
* Crowding- If the teeth are overlapping one another or are too closely placed, it is called crowding of teeth. Crowded teeth does not allow new teeth to erupt.
* Mismatched tooth- If either of the tooth is too big or small as compared to other teeth in the jaw.
* Disproportionate jaws- If the two jaws are not in proportion with each other then an orthodontic treatment may be required.
Procedure of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment can be broadly classified into three phases namely planning phase, active phase and retention phase.
Planning phase - In this phase, the condition of the teeth is studied. X rays are taken of the teeth as well as both the sets of jaws. Special casts for both the lower and upper jaw are made. A treatment plan is formulated based on the condition of the teeth.
Active phase - This is the phase where the entire treatment takes place. In this phase, misaligned or crowded teeth may be extracted. After the extraction of the tooth, a space maintainer is used to maintain space for the new teeth that will erupt. This is followed by the use of orthodontic appliances. These appliances are meant to influence the direction of growth. Different appliances may be used depending upon the condition of the teeth.
Retention phase- In this phase, the braces and other orthodontic appliances are removed. A removable retainer may be used for some time to retain the changes that have been made by the treatment.
Importance of orthodontic treatment
If your child is suffering from orthodontic problems then orthodontic treatment is a must. Lack of appropriate treatment can lead to complete disfiguration of the face and the mouth. Besides improving the appearance of the teeth, orthodontic treatment is also essential for normal chewing and speech. Orthodontic problems can cause damaging of gums and the bone structure.
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