What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialist area of dentistry specifically concerning the straightening of teeth and alignment of the jaws.
Indeed, the word “ortho” is Greek for “straight” and “don’t” means “teeth”. An orthodontic problem is known as a ‘malocclusion’ or ‘incorrect bite’. Some of the most common causes of malocclusion are crowded teeth, missing teeth, or misaligned jaws. The cause may be genetic, but it can also be due to an accident, early / late loss of baby teeth or extensive thumb / finger sucking.
A clear definition of orthodontics is “the management of developing teeth and jaws throughout the growth and development of a child, through adolescence and later adult years”. For most people, orthodontists are specialists that create beautiful smiles.
What is an Orthodontist?
Registered orthodontists are fully qualified dentists (five year bachelor degree) with a minimum of two years general dental experience who then undertake a further three years of full time university education to obtain a Masters degree in orthodontics. Only then can they become registered as a Specialist Orthodontist by the Dental Board of Australia.
What does an Orthodontist do?
An orthodontist has three main responsibilities:
- Examine the teeth and jaws using the latest scanning technology to identify the problem.
- Use their expertise to plan the most effective treatment to fix the problem.
- Apply and maintain the relevant corrective appliance (e.g. braces) until the problem is fixed.
Find out what happens during Your First Visit to Alex Yusupov Specialist Orthodontists.