Orthodontic treatment

Teeth of the upper and lower jaw should fit neatly together.

When they don’t, it can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that diagnoses and improves the arrangement of the teeth and jaw using devices such as braces and plates.

Crooked, crowded and overlapping teeth can cause a range of problems, including: – teeth that are very close together can be harder to clean properly. A build-up of plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease injury to the gum – if a tooth doesn’t meet with its partner on the opposite jaw properly, it may dig into the gum and cause damage it may be difficult to eat or chew properly, or affect your ability to speak properly, swallow or dries out your mouth. teeth that stick out may be more likely to be injured or traumatised during sports or in a fall.

Some common orthodontic problems are: – when the top teeth bite over the bottom teeth more than usual.

With teeth closed, you would usually expect to see about half of the lower teeth.

If you see less than half, this could be an excessive overbite – when the bottom jaw sits further forward than normal. When teeth are closed, the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth – when the upper jaw sits further forward than the lower jaw.

With the teeth together, you would expect the upper teeth to sit on the inside of the lower lip.

If they sit over the lower lip, this might be a sign of protruded teeth. A person with protruded teeth is more at risk of tooth damage or loss from accidents and may have speech or eating problems.

Many people also choose to correct protruded teeth for cosmetic reasons – when there is not enough space for teeth to be straight and they overlap, grow crooked, or cant come out fully. This Can be caused by large teeth, a small jaw, or both. – when there is too much space available.

This can be caused by small teeth, misshaped teeth, missing teeth, teeth that don’t come out fully, a large jaw or a combination of causes. A range of orthodontic devices may be used to move teeth, or to keep them in place. These include:

• – tiny brackets are attached to the front or back of each tooth
• a wire is tied to them

The constant gentle pressure of the wire slowly moves the teeth – also known as ‘invisible braces’, clear aligners are a series of clear pieces of custom-moulded plastic that sit over the teeth and slowly move them. While you usually need to wear clear aligners for 20–22 hours a day, you are able to take them out to eat, drink and clean them – these small rubber bands are stretched between upper and lower braces for extra force to move teeth – a plastic device that sits in the mouth and uses wires and springs to move teeth, or to hold them in place.

Unlike fixed braces, a plate can be taken out of the mouth.

– in severe cases, surgery may be required to remove buried teeth, or make it easier for them to come out. Surgery can also be useful when there is a problem with the jaws, or to improve the outcome of orthodontic treatment. problems that may benefit from orthodontic treatment can be detected at an early age by an oral health professional.

Most orthodontic treatment is done after all the permanent teeth have come through,. Some treatment can be started earlier,which can help avoid major treatment later on. Adults of any age can have treatment as well if they have orthodontic problems.

Some of the risks of orthodontic treatment include:

• this makes cleaning the teeth more difficult increases the chance of gum disease tooth decay
• discolourations. It is important that teeth are cleaned thoroughly after every meal
• at least twice a day
• to reduce snacking
• unhealthy food

Who provides orthodontic treatment? Orthodontic treatment is provided by an orthodontist, and some dentists. An orthodontist is a dentist who has done additional study to specialise in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws. The orthodontist or dentist will take detailed records of your teeth and jaw, diagnose any problem, plan the treatment and carry out the care as required.

Costs vary depending on the type of problem and the amount of treatment needed.

Ask your oral health professional for advice

Talk to your orthodontist or oral health professional about how to care for your teeth during treatment.

For example, if you’ve got braces, it’s even more important to brush, floss, and clean between your teeth regularly, as the brackets and wires can retain or trap more food particles and plaque.

If using string or tape is too tricky, there are other methods to help keep the teeth and gums clean, such as floss threaders for braces or interdental toothbrushes.

Interdental toothbrushes are small brushes that have been designed to get into small spaces including around brackets and the gaps between teeth.

They can be particularly helpful when undergoing braces treatment

And community dental clinics, for eligible people.

For more information about public dental services Tel. ‘Find a Dentist’ search function or Tel.

Why orthodontic treatment might be needed tooth decay and gum disease Diagnosis of teeth and jaw alignment problems Problems with teeth and jaw alignment are identified using a visual examination and photographs x-rays of the teeth and jaws Examples of orthodontic problems excessive overbite underbite protruded teeth crowded teeth spacing and gaps Examples of orthodontic treatments fixed braces clear aligners elastics plate surgery Age for orthodontic treatment Risks of orthodontic treatment dental hygiene problems soft tissue injury – braces may dig into the gums or cheeks, injuring them relapse Teeth care during orthodontic treatment Where to get help Your oral health professional who may be a dentist , oral health therapist or orthodontist Orthodontics United States ‘Find an Orthodontist’ tool (616) 555-0100 Speech pathologist Dental Health Services Michigan provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital Grand Rapids (616) 555-0200 , or 1800 833 039 outside Grand Rapids metro American Dental Association (616) 555-0200.

Key Points

• When they don’t, it can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• Some common orthodontic problems are: – when the top teeth bite over the bottom teeth more than usual
• This Can be caused by large teeth, a small jaw, or both
• Surgery can also be useful when there is a problem with the jaws, or to improve the outcome of orthodontic treatment
• problems that may benefit from orthodontic treatment can be detected at an early age by an oral health professional