Orthodontics deals with correcting the alignment and position of teeth and the jawbone. Teeth that aren't appropriately aligned stand a risk of getting infected easily. They are more likely to be subjected to decay and gum diseases, such as periodontal, as they can't be cleaned thoroughly. Moreover, having crooked teeth would ruin one's smile and hinder confidence. Some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment are:
- Correcting misaligned teeth
- Lessening excessive gap between teeth
- Aligning the upper edges of all the teeth
- Correcting protruding frontal teeth
- Long-term oral health
- Preventing excessive wear to the teeth
- Bring changes to the shape of one's face
Common types of malocclusion
Orthodontics helps people suffering from teeth alignment problems. Some of the common ones are:
Overbite: When the upper teeth come down over the lower teeth too much.
Reverse bite: When the upper teeth come down inside the lower ones.
Underbite: When the lower teeth are too far out.
Crossbite: When one or more teeth of the upper or lower jaw don't align with the others.
Excess spacing: When the gap between the teeth is too much.
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Orthodontic treatment uses both fixed and removable appliances. They are used to move teeth, shape the jaw-line, and bring corrections to the alignment of teeth. Some of the orthodontic appliances used are:
Braces: They are the most common type of appliances used in orthodontics. They help position and straighten one's teeth using bands/wires and brackets. The bands are fixed around the teeth, which act as an anchor. The brackets are fixed on the frontal face of the teeth, which are used to connect the teeth to the bands. Tightening the bands or the wires would put pressure on the teeth, which would push them to the desired position. They have to be monitored regularly to keep track of the movement of the teeth. It would take between a few months to a couple of years, depending on the severity of the malocclusion.
Invisalign and other clear aligners: Invisalign is a removable orthodontic appliance that is made from a transparent plastic material. The walls of the aligners gently apply pressure on the teeth and move them in the desired direction. They can be taken off when required, such as while eating food, brushing the teeth, etc.
Fixed space regulators: Sometimes, when a child loses a tooth prematurely, fixed space regulators are used to prevent adjacent teeth from moving into its position until a new tooth grows.
Jaw positioning devices: They are called splints and are worn either on the upper or lower jaw. They help the jaws close in a better position and, thereby, gradually alter the shape of the jaws.
Palatal expander: The palate is the roof of the mouth. A palatal plate or expander is used to expand the upper jaw. A plastic plate is installed on the palate, which exerts outward pressure, thereby widening the upper jaw.
Please schedule an appointment online or call us at (718) 447-4510 to have a consultation with Dr. Brenman and his associates, and we will be happy to help.