DEFINITION:

Orthodontics objective is to align teeth by modifying their positions in order to improve the appearance and the functionality, which can affect the appearance of the face. Orthodontics are important since bad positioning of the teeth can make them more prone to cavities, promote gum disease, and affect the dental health in general.

The procedure requires the exertion of a light pressure on the teeth for a few months.

When a problem involves only misaligned teeth, orthodontics can fix the problem by wearing brackets and wires in order to align the teeth (i.e. braces).

When the problem involves the dimension of the jaws and the relation between them, it is referred as an orthopedic problem. In those cases, it can be fixed by wearing appliances that correct the proportions of the jaws between them, though it does not necessarily align the teeth. Sometimes, an orthodontic treatment is necessary after the application of an orthopedic appliance, to straighten the teeth.

In cases where the bad relation between the jaws is extreme, if the problem is not corrected early, only an orthognathic surgery (i.e. surgery of the upper or lower maxillary).

There are seven types of orthodontic appliances:

•Removable orthopedic appliance, which is not fixed on the teeth and is usually equipped with one or many screws to turn, on the upper jaw and/or the lower jaw. It can be removed to be cleaned and is generally recommended to wear at least 20 hours a day.

•Fixed orthopedic appliance, resembles the removable orthopedic appliance, though it is fixed to the teeth and cannot be removed from the mouth.

•System of brackets and wires (braces), consists of brackets fixed on the front of each tooth, with a metallic wire aligning all the teeth.

•Invisible orthodontics, a recent technology that consists of aligning the teeth with invisible trays that need be changed every two to three weeks.

•Space maintainers, resembling a removable orthopedic appliance, without screws to turn. It is more commonly worn on the upper jaw.

•Lingual retainer, is a wire that is fixed on the inner surface of teeth to keep their position after an orthodontic treatment. It can stay on the teeth for a lifetime.

•System of lingual brackets, a recent technology that consists of placing brackets on the inner surface of teeth, to ensure that they do not show.

The duration necessary for treatments varies from one person to another depending on the severity of the problem, the space available for the teeth, the degree of misalignment, the health of the teeth and gums, and the discipline of the patient to follow the instructions.

On average, an orthopedic appliance must be worn between six and twelve months, and a complete orthodontic treatment can last up to three years. To avoid relapse, patients are required to wear a retainer at night time at the end of the treatment.

APPLICATIONS:

When misaligned teeth are observed or that a bad relation of the jaws is present, it is recommended to consult a dentist or an orthodontist for a full orthodontic exam, including impressions of the upper and lower teeth, photographs of the teeth and the face, and x-rays of the jaws including the teeth and the complete head.

When the diagnosis is determined, the dentist can evaluate the need of wearing an orthopedic appliance and/or a system of brackets and wire (braces). Sometimes the treatment must be accompanied by surgery of the teeth or the jaws. Rarely, orthognathic surgery is recommended and is generally done by another specialist surgeon.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).