Orthodontics
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the correction of improper bites, crooked teeth, crowding, narrow arches, deep overbites and jets, under-bites spacing and many more issues that can cause irregularities in the mouth.
Orthodontics are used to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing look for the patient through correcting these issues through a number of techniques.
Why should I consider orthodontics?
When considering correction of tooth position it is important also to consider object and muscular habits, breathing patterns, facial harmony, skeletal position of the upper and lower jaw in relation to the rest of the skull, airway patency, teeth bite planes in relation to the rest of the face, size of the upper and lower jaw among-st other factors.
Pre-orthodontic appliances, fixed expansion appliances , plates, etc in many cases are not seen from the front, These orthodontic devices and braces are all used to correct these irregularities through expanding, straightening and eliminating bad habits such as tongue thrust, mouth breathing and thumb sucking with the cooperation of the patient.
Changing these habits and irregularities can have many benefits for the patient. Decreasing abnormal wear on teeth due to having an improper bite, making it easier to keep your mouth cleaning and reduce the risk of dental caries.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a virtually invisible alternative option to braces often chosen by adults.
These are a sequence of clear plastic aligners that level and align teeth. Use of aligners nowadays is not just limited to class 1 cases but can be combined with other aesthetic options e.g. for class 2 and class 3 cases.
Are all the braces the same in their effectiveness, function and value?
The passive self-ligating bracket is designed to deliver light forces that optimize tooth movement doing away with the coloured ligatures/elastics around brackets that increase the forces that compress the periodontal ligament and slow bone growth. This clever design helps achieve space creation and arch expansion that previously was not possible. Coupled with the Copper NiTi wires; again of much greater value than standard archwire; able to achieve tooth movements and spare loss of healthy teeth than possible previously just with braces.
When should I take my child to get assessed?
Timing of treatment depends on a few factors including whether there is a skeletal imbalance, what stage of skeletal growth the child is in, any muscular or object habits, how much crowding there is. For example if the lower jaw tends to protrude or there is a longer looking face this most likely should be treated as soon as possible. Protruding upper jaws can often wait till stage 4 of cervical maturation of growth. With the aid of our modern German equipment we will be able to assess this when you come in. Even if there is no obvious problem children between the age of 7-9 years of age should have an OPG x ray to see if the erupting teeth are erupting under the permanent teeth straight underneath or angulated towards other permanent tooth roots. Studies show that there is over 90% chance that these teeth will straighten their path of eruption if the deciduous tooth in the way is extracted/space is made for the tooth to fit before the eruption force of the maligned tooth causes permanent damage to the permanent tooth it is angulated into.
Myofunctional Devices
Plates and Pre-orthodontic devices are all used to correct these irregularities through expanding, straightening and eliminating bad habits such as tongue thrust, mouth breathing and thumb sucking with the cooperation of the patient.
Changing these habits and irregularities can have many benefits for the patient. Decreasing abnormal wear on teeth due to having an improper bite, Making it easier to keep your mouth cleaning and reduce the risk of dental caries.