Modern man strives not only to keep his teeth he althy, but also to make his smile truly beautiful. An orthodontist is the specialist who will help correct any malocclusion. Irregular, closely adjacent teeth are more prone to caries and provoke gum disease. Therefore, the correct structure of the dentition is important not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for oral he alth.
Orthodontist - who is it?
The only way to correct an overbite is to use braces. Their installation and maintenance at all stages of treatment is carried out by the orthodontist. At the first consultation in the dental clinic, the doctor examines and interviews the patient.
The goal of the orthodontist is to identify possible contraindications, to choose an individual treatment. All cases are peculiar, those methods that helped one person may be ineffective for another. Therefore, the correction of the bite is different for everyone, and the experience and experience of the orthodontist is extremely important.
How is malocclusion treated?
Bracket systems are effective installations for aligning the dentition. They consist of an orthodontic arch and small locks made ofmetal or ceramics. These miniature parts - braces - are glued to each tooth. The steel arc has the shape of a normal bite and connects all the elements into a system. Immediately after installation, the design begins to gradually move the teeth in a given direction. This process takes from six months to three years, because it requires significant changes in the jaw bone.
To maintain the result after braces are removed, the doctor installs retainers that hold the teeth in the correct position. These devices are invisible, more comfortable for the patient, but they need to be worn twice as long as a bracket system.
Preparing for orthodontic treatment
You can install braces only after sanitation of the oral cavity, which is also done by an orthodontist (those who do not know this yet, note to that). It is necessary to eliminate any inflammatory processes and sources of infection. Usually, a panoramic x-ray of the jaws is prescribed before orthodontic treatment. It is done using an orthopantomograph. The dose of X-ray exposure is minimal, so this study is used even for children. However, the information content of a panoramic image is very high. It shows all the roots and rudiments of teeth, fillings, as well as cysts and other problems in the early stages.
When treating with braces, one cannot do without casts from the jaws. For example, lingual braces are completely assembled on the model and only installed on the teeth in finished form.
When should I see an orthodontist?
Bite problems canappear in early childhood. Bad habits have a bad effect on the formation of the dental system. For example, sucking on a pacifier for up to three years or constantly biting on the lip leads to an open bite. The anterior teeth do not interlock. The opposite situation is when the lower incisors are closed by the upper ones by more than half. This is a "deep bite" that also needs to be corrected.
The first signs of deformation may be noticed by parents, but it happens that only a specialist detects the problem in time. Ideally, a children's orthodontist should examine the child twice a year. Treatment can begin when the baby himself realizes its need and can sit comfortably in the dental chair.
But not only children are helped by an orthodontist. Who said that only teenagers wear braces? Adults often have a need and desire to improve their smile. A public profession, for example, makes you take special care of your appearance. Modern methods help to correct the bite for people of any age.
How to choose an orthodontist?
Alignment of the dentition is a long, difficult and expensive matter. Only a qualified, licensed orthodontist can cope with complex pathologies. Dentistry must have all the documents giving the right to provide medical services. A good specialist will tell you not only about the advantages of the bracket system, but also about the difficulties of treatment. He will not impose any one option, but will discuss with the patient all the possibilities and different types.orthodontic appliances. If the doctor offers to install braces at the first appointment, you should think about his professionalism. You need to choose an orthodontist carefully, because the patient will have to communicate with him for several years. During the treatment period, it will be difficult to change doctors. Few people want to finish or redo someone else's work. Even if the orthodontist decides to move to another clinic, it is better to agree with him in advance about the possibility of observation, regardless of the place of work.
Ask your doctor to show you the results of his work. Often even on the walls of the office there are photos of patients "before" treatment and "after". Ask if there were any failures and what caused them. The doctor's reaction to such questions will help to understand whether he should be trusted. It is better to visit several clinics in order to fully understand the complexity of the situation and treatment options. The first orthodontist consultation is usually free.
Orthodontist Tips
The oral cavity has a pleasant environment for bacteria with an abundance of nutrients. There is no other place on the human body where such a variety of microorganisms would be found. Therefore, doctors unanimously advise using brushes, pastes, dental floss and other devices to restore order. If the features of the bite promise a person caries and gum disease, an orthodontist will help prevent these and other misfortunes. Whoever understands this in time and takes care of correcting the bite, will keep their teeth until old age without unnecessary fillings.
