Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specialises in treating dental irregularities.Orthodontics was initially known as orthodontia, which is a Greek word meaning proper/straight teeth. Orthodontic treatment is therefore aimed at helping patients achieve proper teeth alignment.

1. Orthodontics: Helping
Improve Your Oral Health
By:
www.perfectsmilespa.com

2. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specialises in treating
dental irregularities. This field of dentistry basically involves
treating various facial growth aspects especially the jaw’s
development. Orthodontics was initially known as orthodontia,
which is a Greek word meaning proper/straight teeth.
Orthodontic treatment is therefore aimed at helping patients
achieve proper teeth alignment

3. Types of Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is made possible with a wide range of
orthodontic devices. These devices are placed in the patient’s
mouth and help in improving oral functions such as speech
and eating. The dental devices are mainly used to help close
gaps in between teeth, align teeth, produce a proper bite and
prevent excessive trauma or wearing out of teeth. In other
words, orthodontic treatment can help improve a patient’s long
term health as far as the teeth and gums are concerned.

4. Like we mentioned, there is a wide range of orthodontic devices
and these fall under two main categories which are fixed and
removable devices. Fixed orthodontic devices include:
• Braces: Braces are quite common and these are used to help
align teeth. There are various types of braces, and they range
from coloured braces which are a favourite for children to
clear braces which are subtle.
• Space Maintainers: Space maintainers are used to control teeth
alignment and help maintain space when a milk tooth is lost.
Space maintainers are fixed next to the space of the lost tooth
provide enough room for the adult tooth to develop. They
prevent teeth crowding and misalignment.

5. There are also special fixed orthodontic devices which are used
to control thumb sucking and thrusting of the tongue. That
said; these are only used when extremely necessary.
Removable orthodontic devices are prescribed to treat minor
dental problems and these are taken out conveniently when
brushing teeth, flossing and eating. Some of the removable
orthodontic devices include:

6. • Teeth Aligners: These are often used instead of braces and
many patients prefer teeth aligners are they are unnoticeable.
• Retainers: Removable retainers are worn to help prevent teeth
from moving back to their misaligned position after treatment.
• Palatal Expander: Palatal expanders are devices used in
orthodontics to widen the upper jaw arch. This device is
placed on the roof of the mouth or palate to exert pressure on
the palate joints forcing them to form an outward movement
and expand the palate size.
• Space Maintainers: Not all space maintainers are permanent
and you could opt to have your child wear removable space
maintainers.
• Splints: Splints are used to reposition the jaw and are mainly
prescribed for patients who suffer from Temporomandibular
joint disorder simply known as TMJ

7. Orthodontic Diagnosis
Before any of the above devices can be used for treatment, the
highly experienced orthodontist will have to assess the
patient’s teeth so as to identify the best course of treatment.
Patients are taken through a dental and medical health history
before undergoing clinical examinations. X-rays are used to
identify the extent of the condition and you may be asked to
take a jaw or teeth x-ray. Plaster models are often used by
orthodontics to help create a fitting orthodontic device for
your teeth.
As you can see, orthodontics can come in handy to help improve
your oral health and facial structure as well. You can also
schedule an appointment with your dentist for this purpose.

8. • Dr Jas Sagoo is the Managing Director and Principal Dentist
of Perfect Smile Spa, a leading dental clinic in Essex that
provides painless dental treatment.
• Please feel free to drop an email to him at:
care@perfectsmilespa.co.uk or call on (+44) 01708 442 114 or
circle him on Google Plus:
http://plus.google.com/107849783896287587272/