If your dentist finds that your jaws and teeth are not aligned, they may refer you to an orthodontic specialist. This condition is called a malocclusion and can grow worse if left untreated.
Orthodontists from Smilebar receive specialized training in the movement of teeth and jawbones. They also have advanced training in the growth and development (dentofacial orthopaedics) of the face and the jaw. They are able treat many issues that general dentists cannot.
Braces
Orthodontic brackets are used to correct severe bite problems, such as crooked or gapped teeth. They do this by moving teeth in a safe and gradual manner. This process, also known as aligning your teeth or occlusion is done by applying constant pressure through a series visits to your orthodontist. Straightening your teeth is achieved by the gentle, constant pressure of the archwire and wire in combination with your body’s natural response to that pressure.
Braces are made of small stainless steel squares called brackets that are bonded onto the front surface of every tooth. The brackets can be clear or metallic to make them more discreet. A wire is threaded through the slots and tightened each time you visit.
The pressure exerted by the wire and archwire on the teeth causes changes in the shape of the jawbone under your teeth. This is a healthy, normal process that occurs all your life. Your jawbone adapts as it receives forces from your teeth and other parts.
Certain appliances can help accelerate the process, such as elastic ligatures and power chains, which provide extra force for your teeth to move. These appliances can also help close gaps between your teeth.
During treatment you will be encouraged not to eat hard, sticky or crunchy foods and to eat only soft, chewy snacks. You will be shown how to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly, and your orthodontist will review these habits with you. Regular visits to your orthodontist will ensure that your teeth move correctly and that you have the best smile possible!
A thin, metal wire fits into the slots in your brackets. The elastic ligatures are tiny rubber bands that are stretched between the brackets and the wire to guide your teeth into the correct position. The ligatures come in many colors, and you can change them at each appointment. The orthodontist may also use a small metal part, known as a buccal tube, to hold the archwire in place on back teeth — especially your molars — where the ligatures cannot reach.
Aligners
Clear aligners, as the name suggests are an alternative to fixed braces. They straighten crooked or twisted teeth and correct bite problems. The clear plastic “mouthguards” fit tightly over the teeth and move them incrementally according to a treatment plan developed by your orthodontist. They are ideal for adult patients whose lifestyle or work commitments make it difficult to wear more visible conventional appliances.
The first step in the treatment process is a consultation. Your orthodontist will examine and photograph your teeth, jaws, and take digital scans. They will also give you a diagnoses. The orthodontist then creates a digital model of your smile, and develops a treatment plan. The orthodontist uses computer-aided design to manipulate the detailed 3D model and engineer the precise movements needed to achieve your desired smile.
In most cases, the use of clear aligners is a fast and effective treatment option. Clear aligners have become a popular option for adults, as they are discreet, comfortable and easy to remove when eating, drinking and brushing your teeth. In addition, they do not use metal brackets, so they are less noticeable than traditional braces.
During your treatment, you’ll change to a brand new set of aligners every 2 weeks. Each successive set will shift your teeth a little more than the previous, and each aligner is a little more snug than the other. The incremental changes will add up and your crooked teeth will slowly move into their healthy positions.
Sometimes, to help achieve the most desirable results, your orthodontist may add small clear attachments to specific teeth. These tiny buttons’ increase the ability of the aligner to grip the tooth and guide the tooth into its new location. These will usually be removed at your review appointments.
Your orthodontist might also recommend a palatal expansion device to help with a narrow upper arches. This appliance will move back teeth, allowing more room for adult teeth to erupt in their correct positions. The use of a clear aligner and a palatal extender can often reduce the time needed to complete treatment by reducing the need for invasive surgery.
Retainers
Orthodontists use retainers to keep a person’s teeth in place after their orthodontic treatment is over. Relapse is a common problem for people who don’t wear their retainers. Retainers come in fixed and removable forms, and are molded into the shape of an individual’s mouth.
In addition to using retainers, orthodontists also prescribe other appliances to help keep a person’s teeth in place, such as jaw expansion devices or headgear. These are usually used in conjunctions with braces or aligners.
During the diagnosis phase, an orthodontic specialist takes photos and x-rays of a patient’s mouth and teeth. The orthodontist will then analyze the information and create a customized treatment plan.
The plan is created based on the person’s goals and needs, such as how to close a gap or correct a misaligned mouth. Some treatments are more intense than others, but the majority can be completed within a year.
An orthodontist will recommend either clear braces or traditional metal braces, depending on the patient. In some cases a person might need a fixed retentioner, which is a bracket that has wires bonded to each tooth. Other patients may be better suited to a removable retainer, which is made of acrylic or plastic and can be slipped in and out of a person’s mouth.
Orthodontists make retainers from a variety materials, including dental putty and hard plastic. To make a retainer an orthodontist puts the putty on a tray which fits over the teeth and bite of a patient. The orthodontist will then mold the putty in the shape of someone’s mouth to create a model. The model is then used by the orthodontist to create a retainer.
The orthodontist will ensure that the retainer fits comfortably in the mouth and is comfortable before giving it to the client. The patient must then practice good oral hygiene in order to prevent plaque accumulation and maintain the health and appearance of their teeth and gums. If the person forgets or loses the retainer, the orthodontist usually schedules an appointment to make another one.
Palate Expanders
The roof of the mouth is gradually widened to correct crossbites, and make space for adult teeth. They’re typically used in conjunction with braces & can reduce the amount of time needed for treatment because it’s easier to align the back teeth when the upper and lower jaw are properly widened.
A metal expander sits on the roof of your child’s mouth. The expander has a screw that can be turned with a key. This causes tension to widen the palate. It’s not uncommon for children to experience discomfort with the expander in the first few days of use, but this is normal and should only last a few days. In order to relieve the pressure, having your child chew soft foods a few times a day for several days can be helpful.
The upper jaw bone (maxillary) of your child is made up of two separate halves that are connected with a small suture. This suture is flexible in children and can be separated until it fuses at puberty to create more space in the upper mouth. A palatal expansion device works by separating maxillary bone at the junction between the two sides. This forces them to grow apart with time.
There are many different types of palatal expanders. However, the most common is the hyrax-type fixed palatal extender. This expander is attached to the back molars with a screw that your child or teen turns a few times per day. It’s important to turn the expander at the prescribed rate, because overdoing it can put too much pressure on the teeth & lead to headaches.
Other types of fixed expanders include the quad helix & the haas expander. All of these operate differently, but have the same basic principle as the hyrax. The quad helix expander works similarly to the hyrax but uses four helical helical loops in place of one screw. This can be used for asymmetric expansion. The haas expander is a bit different in that it’s a sliding appliance that moves to create the expansion. It’s a little more difficult to activate, but it requires less work on the part of the patient to control.
