Orthodontics is a branch of specialized dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and proper guidance after the treatment, including the proper alignment of teeth or other dental conditions, with the use of braces. Orthodontics is derived from the Greek word 'orthos' which means normal, correct, or straight, and 'dontos' meaning teeth. In short, we can say that orthodontics is a field that is used to correct the alignment of the teeth and treat malocclusion if present. There always has been confusion between the two terms occlusion and malocclusion. Occlusion is the ideal, proper anatomic position of the person’s bite that does not affect oral health, whereas, malocclusion is the improper closure of the person’s mouth and is the leading cause of dental problems. Why Is Orthodontics Beneficial? Many people believe that the orthodontic department is only involved when your teeth need to be straightened but that is not the case. Orthodontics deals with not only aesthetic procedures but also syndromes that cause malocclusion, overbites, cross bites, and overjets. A patient with crooked teeth has a hard time chewing their food. Maintaining oral hygiene is also very difficult, due to which tooth decay can occur and may also progress to gingivitis and then to periodontal disease, ultimately destroying the underlying alveolar bone. If this malalignment is not properly assessed and treated by orthodontic treatment, it can lead to poor bite and inefficient mastication which causes headaches, shoulder pain, backache, and pain in the temporomandibular joint.

Signs To Get Orthodontic Treatment There are many signs that tell us if a child or an adult needs their teeth aligned with orthodontic braces. This generally depends on the age of the patient and their oral health. Nowadays, adults have been getting orthodontic braces and the results shown are positive. According to recent research, it has been shown that orthodontic brackets and braces are needed in more percentages than not. The signs and symptoms that show us if u need to get orthodontic treatment are as follows: -Teeth that are crooked and are not properly aligned -Maintaining oral hygiene and brushing as well as flossing becomes difficult -Frequently biting their tongue or cutting their tongue on their teeth -Teeth that do not close over each other properly when the patient’s mouth is at rest -Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds due to the tongue’s position under the patient’s teeth -Jaws that click or make noises when the patient chews or when they first wake up -Stress or fatigue on the patient’s jawline after chewing food How To Tell If A Child Needs Orthodontic Treatment It is a little difficult to tell if a child needs braces. If a child has malaligned and crooked primary or milk teeth, that indicates that they might be in the need of braces in the future. The signs that are seen clinically are: -The child breathes with his or her mouth open -The child’s jaw joints produce a clicking noise -The child is prone to biting the tongue, roof of the mouth, or inside of the cheek accidentally -Thumb-sucking or using a pacifier past the age of two years or more -Early or late shedding of baby teeth -Teeth that do not come together even when the mouth is shut completely -Teeth that are crooked or crowded Poor nutrition during the infant and toddler stage, poor dental hygiene, and genetics are all reasons why a child may end up needing orthodontic treatment. When Do You Need To Visit The Orthodontics Department? It has been recommended by the American Academy of Orthodontics that a child should visit an orthodontist at the age of seven years. The reasoning behind this is that this age time frame is the one that lets the dentist assess if the child might need braces in the future. Even those individuals can benefit by paying a visit to the orthodontic department who do not have crooked teeth nor any kind of slant to the teeth. A person can opt to get orthodontic brackets and braces at any age. But it is seen that a child with an orthodontic problem should get braces between the ages of 9 and 14 before they get their permanent teeth. There are present many alternatives to metal orthodontic brackets. Ceramic braces and invisible braces are the most commonly used teeth aligning procedures used. Apart from braces, there are present special fixed appliances such as fixed space maintainers, removable space maintainers, aligners, jaw repositioning appliances, lip and cheek bumpers, palatal expander, removable retainers, and much more. All those maintained are required for different kinds of treatments. Only the orthodontist can correctly determine which orthodontic treatment is right for you. Using diagnostic tools such as clinical exams, plastic models of your teeth, and X-rays, the orthodontist will develop a treatment plan that works for you and your teeth.

FAQs Who needs orthodontic treatment? Any person that has malaligned teeth, malocclusion, and crooked teeth will be needing orthodontic treatment. This will make their mastication better and maintaining oral hygiene becomes easier. What is the best age for orthodontic treatment? The best age to get orthodontic treatment and get braces is in the age between nine and fourteen years. The reasoning behind this is that it is at this time that the permanent dentition is coming in the oral cavity and this makes assessment easier to know if the teeth need braces or not. How long does orthodontic treatment last? The length of orthodontic treatment varies from patient to patient. While some problems take less time to treat than others, the average orthodontic treatment lasts around two years. However, orthodontists can repair more moderate issues in as little as six months while more complex issues can take 3 years or more.