Orthodontic treatment is needed to correct improperly positioned teeth and jaws. If the teeth are crooked there are more chances of decay and gum disease. If the jaws are not properly aligned, it can cause temporomandibular joint disorders.

Who is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is an expert in repairing misalignments of the teeth and jaws. The orthodontists are dental specialists catering to preventing, diagnosing and treating dental and facial irregularities, for example, malocclusions or bad bites. Around 6% of dentists are orthodontists who deal with debilitating problems related to misalignments such as speech defects, chewing difficulty, and problems associated with maintaining sufficient oral hygiene. These dentistry experts successfully treat acute oral disorders like Anteroposterior deviations, Overcrowding, and Aesthetic issues.

What does an Orthodontist look after?

The primary job of an orthodontist is to correct malfunctions within the mouth, including crooked teeth, misplaced teeth, and misaligned jaws. They check their patient’s teeth to determine if they require braces and provide suitable solutions depending on the prevailing dental condition. The specialist dentists also design and construct individual dental appliance such as retainers. They do so by referring to the dental history of the patients. Furthermore, they keep a regular check on dental appliances in patients and makes necessary adjustments. They also ensure that braces don’t get damaged and make repairs, as deemed essential. Some of the common issues handled by orthodontists are as follows:

• Anteroposterior Deviations: Common problems include underbite where the lower teeth are positioned too forward than upper teeth and overbite where the upper teeth are way too forward in position than the lower ones. Such issues cause difficulty in articulating and chewing.
• Overcrowding: There is a lack of jawbone space which means adult teeth cannot erupt in alignment with existing teeth. The dentistry experts realign the teeth by using unobtrusive treatments and devices.
• Aesthetic Problems: Often, the shape of the whole face gets affected by malocclusions. In this case, the jaws, lips, and teeth are reshaped and restructured to create an even smile.