ORTHODONTIC CARE






 
 

Braces
Braces have many uses—correcting crowded or overlapping teeth, for example, or closing gaps. Braces can close gaps by applying pressure on the teeth to move closer together. Patients can choose from metal, plastic or ceramic brackets. These brackets will be glued to the teeth and will hold the wire that places tension on the teeth in place. Note that plastic and ceramic brackets are much less conspicuous in appearance. For an even more natural look, the patient can wear lingual braces, where the brackets are glued to the back of the teeth.

The duration of the orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Typically, a patient wears braces for up to two years. Once the braces are removed, a removable retainer holds the newly shifted teeth in place for the first few months after treatment.
Age for orthodontic treatment
There is as such no particular age for orthodontic treatment. Every child should get an orthodontic screening done by age of 7, but you are never too old for treatment. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by age 7, and cross bites, crowding and other developing dental protrusions can be evaluated. If your child is sucking finger or is having other oral habits, it can be assessed at this time.
Sign for orthodontic treatment
 Signs or habits indicating early orthodontic treatment are
 
early or late loss of baby teeth,
difficulty in chewing or biting,
mouth breathing,
thumb sucking,
finger sucking,
crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth,
jaws that shift or make sounds,
biting the cheek or roof of the mouth,
teeth that meet abnormally or not at all, and
jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.
Benefits of early treatment:
Children who are indicated for early orthodontic intervention, early treatment presents an opportunity to:
 
guide the growth of the jaw,
regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
correct harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics,
reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), and
preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.

Space maintainer
In children the primary molar teeth, hold needed space for permanent teeth to erupt in the later age. If the molar tooth is lost due to decay, than an orthodontic device with a fixed wire is usually put between teeth to hold the space for the permanent tooth, which will come in later.

How much time it takes for correction of maloccluded teeth?
It varies according to severity of initial malocclusion and also varies for each patient depending on the nature, the cooperation of the patient and the type of treatment appliances. The better the patient is about wearing and taking care of his or her appliances, the sooner teeth will improve.

Is there any discomfort in wearing braces ?
Some of the patients feel discomfort for first the first few days that get relieved by the medication prescribed by the doctors. The discomfort may include difficulty in speach, eating or some times ulceration, but with proper medication it get relieved soon.

Retainers
This is the final phase of orthodontic treatment Here the retainers are given to patient so that the teeth must adapt to the new position. This is weared depending on individual case and more the patient wears it more is the adaptability. The length of time for retention varies with each individual. It is recommended to help the teeth and jaw remain in proper alignment for life.