By Dakin Jill
Dentistry is a specialized branch of medicine that primarily focuses on the teeth, gums, throat, jaws, sinuses, and other parts of your facial structure. Of all the superspecialities, one such revolutionary and rehabilitating branch, gaining momentum is orthodontics.
The Ankeny dentists and their team are specially trained dentists who offer orthodontic procedures. Let’s explore this super-specialty further!
An introduction to orthodontics
Orthodontics is a superspecialty in dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating improper or bad bite (malocclusion). The way your teeth align has an impact on your oral health. By improving the alignment, and occlusion, orthodontists can greatly reduce your risk of oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, and surface erosion.
An orthodontist is a dentist trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat teeth and jaw discrepancies. They help correct existing conditions and are skilled in detecting problems that may arise in the future. Orthodontists help enhance your smile, which is associated with good oral health. They play a crucial role in enhancing your overall well-being.
Exploring common orthodontic problems
There are several types of orthodontic problems, including:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crowded teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Rotated teeth
What are the procedures involved in orthodontics?
Orthodontists offer a series of essential oral appliances that provide a unique function and address specific orthodontic concerns. These include the following:
- Braces: These appliances include brackets and archwires that help shift your teeth into the desired position over time.
- Clear aligners: These are a series of clear custom-made plastic trays that help shift your teeth to the desired alignment.
- Retainers: These are custom-made appliances that keep your teeth from drifting out of their proper position.
- Palate expanders: These are often used in children to widen the upper jaw, by creating extra space without the need for tooth extractions or other procedures.
What are the benefits of orthodontics?
Orthodontic procedures provide cosmetic benefits by enhancing your smile and facial aesthetics. However, they offer additional benefits like:
- Align the teeth in a proper position, making them easier to clean
- Straightening the teeth can improve chewing and speech
- These procedures can ease pain related to TMJ disorder
- Teeth alignment can reduce your risk of oral issues like tooth cavities and gum disease
Orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry that plays a crucial role in helping patients achieve healthier, and more balanced smiles. This greatly improves oral function and overall well-being.
