Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite." The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances such as braces, so as to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment, to achieve facial balance and esthetics.

Who is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists are specially trained to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

At what age can people have Orthodontic treatment ?

Children and adults can both benefit from Orthodontics, because healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. It is recommended that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7 as some problems may be easier to correct if treated early. Intercepting a developing malocclusion by eliminating abnormal oral habits or by growth modulation procedures may be necessary much before all the permanent teeth erupt. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult.

What causes Orthodontic problems (malocclusions) ?

Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are acquired and even accentuated by environmental influences. Inherited problems include crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, and a wide variety of other irregularities of the jaws, teeth and face.
Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, thumb, finger or dummy (pacifier) sucking, airway obstruction by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease or premature loss of baby or permanent teeth. Many of these problems not only affect the alignment of the teeth but also facial development and appearance.

What are the most commonly treated Orthodontic problems ?

Orthodontic problems may be skeletal (involving either or both the jaws) or dental (involving the teeth). Some of the commonly encountered dental malocclusions include-

Crowding

Teeth may be aligned poorly (crooked) because the disparity in the size of teeth and the size of the jaw. The bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result of severe crowding. Impacted teeth (teeth that should have come in but have not), poor biting relationships and undesirable appearance may all result from crowding.

Over-jet or protruding upper teeth

Upper front teeth that protrude beyond their normal position (Buck teeth) are prone to injury. They often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth (molars), and may indicate unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper teeth are associated with a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw. Thumb and finger sucking habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisor teeth.

Deep overbite

A deep overbite or deep bite occurs when the lower incisor (front) teeth, bites too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, significant bone damage and discomfort can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the incisor teeth.

Open bite

An open bite results when the upper and lower incisor teeth do not touch when biting down. This open space between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear.

Spacing

If teeth are missing or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.

Cross-bite

The most common type of a cross-bite is when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward the tongue). Cross-bites need immediate correction as they may affect the growth of the jaws.
Malocclusions may also be caused due to skeletal problems. They include.

Lower jaw protrusion /retrusion or Upper jaw protrusion / retrusion

Careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development is indicated for these patients. While correction of these relationships may be possible with growth modulation in young children many may require surgical intervention at a later date.

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