Orthodontics - Problems and Treatments

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of facial irregularities. These irregularities often result in "malocclusion," that is - problems with the way teeth fit together.

Orthodontic problems can affect dental and general health, as well as personal appearance. If the teeth are out of position, they are more difficult to clean. This increases the risk of dental cavities(tooth decay) and periodontal(gum) disease. If chewing is difficult, people may not eat the foods needed for good nutrition. If the bite is poor, extra strain is put on the chewing muscles, causing pain and problems with the jaw joint.

Causes of Orthodontic Problems
Orthodontic problems can occur at any age. Most cases are caused either by inherited factors or as a result of poor habits. Malocclusion that results from the relationship between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw cannot be prevented, but can be corrected.

Mouth breathing, finger or thumbsucking, tongue thrusting, lip biting, and other facial habits can contribute to malocclusion. These habits exert pressure on the teeth and can affect the development of the teeth and jaw. Abnormal breathing habits, many times associated with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, cause a child to breath through his or her mouth rather than the nose. This affects growth and development of the upper and lower jaws.

Orthodontic Evaluation

Finding the cause of an individual's orthodontic problem is extremely important. This information provides our office with a direction for proper care and treatment. Our office prefers to diagnose and treat any orthodontic problems as soon as possible.

During the evaluation, the dentist examines the patient's teeth and mouth and reviews dental and medical history. Proper diagnosis may require growth evaluations, facial measurements, photographs and X-rays of the head, jaw and teeth. From the results of this orthodontic evaluation, an individualized treatment plan can be developed.

Treatment Plan

Depending on an individual patient's orthodontic needs, our office can use a variety of appliances to correct a given problem.

We rely on a variety of fixed and removable appliances to move the teeth into the proper position within the mouth and correct malocclusions. All appliances, whether fixed or removable, put gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws, causing them to move or stabilize in a particular position.

We concentrate on correcting problems in the upper jaw first. Many times, the problems in the lower jaw will correct themselves as the lower teeth conform. If proper diagnosis and treatment is performed early on, this will allow proper spacing and positioning for permanent teeth, reducing the need for orthodontic care in the future.

Once the orthodontic treatment has been completed, some type of retention device is usually required to hold the teeth in the proper position for a period of time. These appliances, called retainers, may be fixed or removable. The length of time required for a patient to wear a retainer is detailed in the treatment plan.

Summary
We continually remind all our patients that the human body and it's skeletal structure are not static, but change on a day-to-day basis throughout our lives. These changes in bone and tissue ultimately cause movement in our teeth as we grow and mature. Our office maintains the best and latest equipment and technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic problems. However, best results can be only accomplished when the patient thoroughly understands his or her orthodontic problems and the method of treatment needed to correct these situations.