Recent advances in dental treatment have made it possible for people with misaligned or crowded teeth regain the confidence in their smile and improve their appearance. Orthodontics is a specialised arm of dentistry that deals with the prevention and correction of teeth and jaw irregularities.
Without a doubt, we all dream of perfectly straight teeth and a beautiful smile because it boosts our confidence and make us feel younger, but not everyone is that lucky. Many of us have learnt to live with misaligned or crowded teeth. This does not have to be so, even though an early intervention in life may have saved the situation.
Interceptive orthodontics, which is corrective dental treatment in young children make it easier to treat conditions such as crowding in young children, since their jaw is still developing at that stage. With early intervention, functional appliances can improve or possibly fix dental arches in an incorrect position and it can be complemented with kid braces for relatively short periods later on.
Teeth straightening in the adult are now commonly achieved with the use of metal or ceramic brackets as braces. Metal braces are made up of small brackets joined together by a wire and cemented to the teeth. By applying gentle pressure on the wire, misaligned teeth can gradually be moved to the desired position over time. Some dental clinics follow this up with aligners, a discreetly retained type of brace which applies subtle pressure on the realigned teeth and prevent them from falling back to their previous position.
More discreet methods of teeth straightening involve the use of lingual braces which can be attached to the back of the teeth to make them less noticeable. They are usually customised to enable them fit snugly into the mouth. Modern 3D technology makes it possible for an impression of the teeth to be created so that perfect fitting aligners can be produced for the individual.
Not all orthodontic teeth straightening treatments require wearing braces. An assessment by a trained orthodontist will determine if teeth straightening can be achieved without braces and which method will be most suitable. Minor overcrowding may be resolved with the use of retainers. These can be removable or fixed. Removable retainers are commonly used by individuals who wish to wear them on special occasions to improve their appearance and boost their confidence. Fixed retainers are cemented to the inner surface of the teeth and can only be removed with professional help. They however offer a longer term solution than removable ones.
Mild mis-alignments may only require adjustments with the use of appliances and in children, an appliance may be used to supplement a dental brace to improve jaw function. Narrow palates may be widened with expanders to enable the teeth move into their appropriate places.
For more information, contact a local dental clinic.
