Who is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist, who receives a specialized training for additional three years in correcting tooth positions using metal/ceramic braces and aligners. Not only the teeth, but your jaws can also be repositioned functionally and aesthetically under the supervision of a trained Orthodontist.
Thus an orthodontist is also an orofacial orthopaedist.
Who needs an orthodontic correction?
- Children in the age group of 6-11 years, who have backwardly or forwardly placed upper and lower jaws (maxilla and mandible)
- Children with missing teeth, impacted teeth, cleft lip and palate cases
- Teens (13-19) who have forwardly placed teeth, gaps/spacing in between teeth, rotated teeth, crooked smile
- Adults seeking smile correction
- As a part of restorative/prosthetic treatment
So then, why only an orthodontist?
- An orthodontist will be able to thoroughly examine your case, with a proper case history and clinical examination and intra oral scans
- This will be merged with few standard photographs, xrays such as lateral cephalogram and opg
- In case proper root position, tooth anatomy and bone volume needs to be assessed, the Orthodontist will advice for a 3D xray called as cbct
- A detailed treatment plan with options will be provided to you by the orthodontist
Smile correction planning takes critical analysis of the teeth, bone, jaws and lip and cheek musculature. Anything that’s done in a hurry or without any experts help may jeopardize the oral tissues and health severely.
What are the adverse effects?
- Bone loss/resorption
- Gum swelling/gingivitis
- Root shortening/mobile teeth
- Ulcers/soreness of lips, cheeks
- Allergies due to metal components
- Improper/undesired treatment results
