Orthodontic specialty deals with the prevention and correction of irregularities like misalignment of the teeth or crooked jaws. A major component of this specialty assists in correcting the problems formed by overcrowded teeth. With the help of orthodontic treatment, your smile as well as the oral health of your mouth is improved greatly. Orthodontic treatment is usually carried out with the help of various corrective appliances, which include braces, mouth guards, retainers as well as dental spacers. These corrective appliances are used in order to close gaps, correct bite irregularities and also to straighten teeth that are irregular.
In order to lead a healthier and more comfortable dental life, it is essential that orthodontic defects are corrected as early as possible. Orthodontic treatments can greatly improve the appearance of the teeth and improve over all confidence. The various treatments available are:
Braces- Dental or orthodontic braces help to restore the proper alignment of teeth. They are often used to correct the position of the teeth with regard to bite. One of the main functions of a dental brace is to move a tooth gradually in order to correct its alignment using small amounts of pressure. They are, in fact, an extremely popular method to help fix under bites, overbites, open bites, cross bites and other flaws. These appliances are used for giving perfect shape to the teeth and often used on children, teenagers and even adults. Dental braces should be worn for an average of one to three years.
Retainers- The purpose of a dental retainer is to keep the teeth in place after orthodontic treatment. Once the bite correction procedure takes place, it often takes some amount of time for the region to achieve stability and balance. The retainer should be worn constantly for the designated length of time. The duration of wearing a retainer, however, varies and therefore, the instructions of the orthodontist should be followed carefully. Retainers are also referred to as tooth positioners and are made of metal or acrylic and sometimes, a combination of both.
Mouth Guards- Individuals who engage in vigorous activities such as sports can often cause harm to their teeth. A blow or hit to the mouth may result in a broken jaw or lost teeth. Often, this type of injury can be prevented with the help of a custom-fitted mouth guard. These appliances provide protection to your mouth and teeth and are custom made according to the specifications of each individual. Mouth guards are made to fit perfectly to avoid any problems with breathing or talking while wearing it. Many times a dentist will also recommend a mouth guard to patients who “grind” their teeth while sleeping. This grinding of tooth on tooth slowly breaks away pieces of the natural dentition and should be avoided if possible. Mouth guards are very popular to treat this problem.
Spacers- Irregular alignment of the teeth can happen when a tooth is lost causing others around the gap to shift in position. When a child loses its primary teeth prior to the permanent ones coming in, the other surrounding teeth move in to fill the empty space. This may result in overcrowding of teeth and dental alignment is disturbed. Here, a spacer is used in order to keep the space open for other teeth that are likely to erupt naturally in the space.
Please consult a dentist if you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment. Click here to find a dentist in your area. Enter your ZIP code below to find a money-saving discount dental plan in your area.
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