Orthodontic Treatment – Correction of Irregular Teeth

What is Orthodontic Treatment?

You might have seen kids wearing braces or wires on their teeth. They are in fact going through this treatment called “orthodontic treatment”. This treatment corrects the irregularities of your teeth. For example, if you have a bad bite because of crowed or crooked teeth. Teeth in irregular position lead to an undesirable appearance, and smile. To correct such problems, one has to go through this treatment. Wires and brackets help to move teeth from their current position to the correct position. Orthodontic treatment helps in improving the oral health condition and facial bone development too.
Orthodontic treatment not only improves the look of your teeth, it may prevent bigger dental problems from developing later in life.

What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Improvements to the bite can be made, making it easier to bite, chew and speak
Appearance get improved as the treatment align the teeth in their correct position.
What type of problem can be corrected by orthodontic treatment?
Not everyone has a good smile. Many people have either overcrowded teeth or too spacing making their personality poor. You can also improve that if you have such problems with the orthodontic treatment.
Crooked or crowded teeth may cause uneven wear of tooth surfaces or jaw problems that may lead to complications later in life. They can also be difficult to clean properly, which makes them prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment helps to improve your oral health that can get worsen if not treated.

Are orthodontic appliances always fixed?
No. There are two types of appliances. One is fixed known as braces or brackets. Another type is a removable type. Removable type is a traditional method of treating bad bite.

What are the benefits of fixed procedure over traditional removable type?
Only minor irregularities can be corrected by the removable orthodontic treatment where as major problems can be treated by the fixed orthodontic treatment.
There are high chances of relapse with removable type of treatment.
Fixed orthodontic treatment is always better with uncooperative kids who tend to remove their appliance if they do not like it.
The final outcome is always better with fixed orthodontic treatment procedure.
How long will be the treatment period?
Treatment times vary, but it may take from 12 to 30 months to complete. For adults, treatment may take a little longer because the facial bones have stopped growing. But whatever your age, keeping your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment will help keep treatment time on track.

What are braces made from?
They are made up of various materials. They can be made of metal, ceramic, plastic or a combination of these materials.

Are there any tooth colored brackets available?
Yes, there are some clear or tooth colored braces available.

When should treatment begin?
Irregularities of teeth often become noticeable when permanent teeth start to erupt. Child’s permanent teeth start to erupt from the age of 6 till 12. While teeth are erupting, we can notice irregularities of their teeth and suggest if they need this treatment during their regular dental visits. Treatment often begins between ages 8 to 14. Treatment that starts at an early age produces optimal results.

How about adults wearing braces?
It’s never too late to improve your dental health and beautify your smile. If you’re an adult, you can still improve your bad bite such as crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, under bites, incorrect jaw position, or jaw-joint disorders. Usually, adult treatment takes a little longer than a child’s treatment. No matter your age.

Article by

Manipal hospitals
Bangalore