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What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment deals with straightening or moving teeth to improve your appearance as well as function of the jaw. Misaligned or poorly occluding teeth besides affecting one’s appearance, are also at risk of various dental problems such as tooth decay and gum (periodontal) diseases. Some jaw conditions may also lead to extra stress on the facial muscles, causing headaches or joint problems.
Therefore orthodontic treatment brings different benefits, such as healthier mouth, better looking appearance and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
Do I need orthodontic treatment?
Your dentist or orthodontist is the one who determines if you need orthodontic treatment. If you have any of the following conditions, you may consider having orthodontic treatment:
- Increased overjet (buck teeth) – Where the upper front teeth protrude excessively in relation to the lower teeth
- Excessive overbite – Where the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth by more than the normal range
- Crossbite – Where upper teeth position behind the lower teeth when biting together normally
- Open bite – Presence of space between the biting surfaces of the front or back teeth upon normal bite
- Crowding– Insufficient space within the jaw to accommodate the number of teeth present, causing overlapping or rotation among teeth
- Midline deviation – When the centre of the upper front teeth does not line up with the centre of the lower front teeth
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At what age should I get orthodontic treatment?
Most of the time, teeth problems can be detected between 7 and 9 years of age to determine if orthodontic treatment is needed. Orthodontic treatment is usually carried out after all permanent teeth have erupted, at around 11 to 13 years old. Some orthodontic treatments may start earlier depending on the type of malocclusion.
What do orthodontic treatments involve?
There are many types of appliances being used in orthodontic treatment. They can be fixed or removable. These appliances can move teeth and alter the growth of the jaws by applying gentle pressure.
A common fixed appliance is braces, which consist of bands, wires and brackets. Arch wires are passed through brackets bonded to surface of the teeth. These wires function by placing tension on the teeth and hence moving teeth to a better position. The dentist will then adjust the wire monthly to achieve the desired result within several months to few years.
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On the other hand, one of the most common removable orthodontic appliances is the increasingly popular invisible serial aligners. They function in the same way as traditional braces only without wires and brackets. Besides that, they can be removed for eating and brushing.
Are there any risks to orthodontic treatment?
Like any other procedure, orthodontic treatment does have few risks, such as:
- Oral hygiene problems – Wearing braces and wires make cleaning teeth more difficult. Hence, this may lead to tooth decay if oral hygiene is not satisfactory.
- Root resorption – Most of the time, pressure applied during orthodontic treatment only causes minimal root resorption in order to move teeth. Excessive force can lead to increased resorption, causing damages to the teeth.
- Soft tissue injury – Wires, bands or other appliances may dig into gums or cheeks thus causing injury.
- Relapse – Teeth may move again once braces are removed. Thus, it is important to have retainers to prevent this from happening.
Conclusion
Orthodontic treatment is very common these days and there are a lot of treatment options available. Orthodontists have specialised knowledge to deal with various teeth conditions. Thus, they know when and what to use should you require orthodontic treatment.
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
