Orthodontists diagnose and repair problems with the alignment of teeth and jaws. These include crooked, overcrowded, or gapped teeth.
An orthodontist from www.smilebar.com can use various appliances to straighten a patient’s teeth and fix the bite. These include braces and aligners.
Braces
Orthodontic braces are designed to apply a constant, gentle force that helps your teeth slowly move into new positions. This pressure causes a biological reaction that encourages the bones to reshape themselves and adapt to changes. The orthodontist adjusts the wires at regular intervals, which allows for consistent and targeted pressure to help teeth move progressively into their final position. Modern braces provide a constant and gradual pressure that repositions your teeth and jaw.
Braces consist of three main parts: brackets, archwires, and elastic ligatures. A bracket is a small square that fits onto the front or back of your tooth. It has a small slot in the middle that holds the archwire.
Your orthodontist will select the bracket that is best for you based on your specific situation. This includes the color and shape of your teeth, as well as the desired aesthetic result. Clear ceramic braces for example are less noticeable than metal braces. However, they still use a similar mechanism.
The archwire is made of a thin metal wire that runs through your bracket slots. The orthodontist tightens the archwire at regular intervals, applying controlled pressure to specific teeth to initiate and guide the repositioning process. This pressure also causes the natural bone remodeling to reshape both your jaw and teeth roots.
Elastic ligatures, which are small elastic bands wrapped around each bracket to hold the archwire in position and add gentle pressure on the teeth, are made of elastic material. These elastic ligatures are available in a variety of colors and sizes to suit your aesthetic preferences.
The orthodontist may also use metal bands that encircle certain teeth, or spacers to create spaces between specific teeth. These are all part of a comprehensive plan to correct your smile alignment, including your bite and facial structure. A complete diagnosis will include x rays, pictures, and impressions of the teeth and jaw. These will be used in a comprehensive treatment plan that can last from one to three year.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces. It uses clear, plastic aligners that can be custom-fitted and move teeth slowly over a few months or even years. Orthodontists specialize in this treatment, and some general dental practitioners can also perform the procedure if trained.
Invisalign uses 3D imaging technology to create a digital replica of the patient’s teeth. This allows them see how teeth move and to ensure that the correct amount of pressure is being applied to each tooth to help shift it into place. The aligners should be worn 22 hours a days, except for when eating and brushing your teeth. A new set is provided every 1-2 week.
Some people have trouble keeping their aligners clean, particularly if they do not rinse them well enough. This can lead bacteria to accumulate and cause the trays begin to smell. Patients are advised not to eat after eating and to rinse their trays each morning and night. They should also use a tablet of dental cleaner to remove bacteria and stop the trays from discoloring.
Invisalign is a treatment that can be used for a variety of problems including crooked or uneven teeth, as well as other malocclusions. It is limited in the problems it can treat and may require other types of orthodontics, or dental surgery.
Aside from helping to straighten the teeth, Invisalign can also improve the overall function of the mouth and reduce the risk of gum disease. It is because crooked or twisted teeth are harder to clean and floss, and this can lead to food being trapped in the gums. Cavities can develop. Regular visits to an orthodontist can also help ensure that the Invisalign process is going as planned and will be able to address any issues before they become worse.
Retainers
Orthodontic treatment helps align your bite and correct crookedness. However, it cannot stop the natural processes that cause your teeth to shift and drift over time. Retainers, worn habitually after your orthodontic treatment is complete, help prevent this shifting. Retainers are custom-made devices that rest at the back and in front of your mouth. They may be made of metal or plastic, and are available in both removable and permanent varieties.
Your orthodontist determines which type of retainer will best suit your needs. There are many factors to consider, including cost, maintenance, visibility and ease of use. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that patients speak to their orthodontist and carefully evaluate these variables to make an informed decision.
A common retainer type is the Hawley retainer. This retainer is composed of an acrylic base or hard plastic, with a thin wire running along the center of both your upper teeth and lower teeth. The retainer also comes with a plastic piece that fits behind the upper teeth. This type can be customized with a wide range of colors and patterns.
A clear retainer is also available. This device, which is made of transparent plastic, is nearly invisible inside the mouth. It is a popular option for teens, as it can be less visible than traditional braces. The clear retainer has one drawback: it is more fragile, and therefore easier to damage or lose.
Other types of retainers include the palatal expander, which is used to create additional space in the upper jaw for children who have not yet finished growing. These devices are not used as often as other retainers, because children’s mouths and jaws are more prone to movement.
No matter what type of retainer is chosen, it’s important to follow the instructions of your orthodontist. This will help to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is effective for many years. It is also recommended that you speak to your orthodontist if you have any problems with your retainer, or are having trouble wearing it.
Jaw Repositioning
The position of your lower jaw can have an impact on your long-term dental and oral health. As people grow, their upper and lower jaws can grow at different rates. This can cause problems with chewing, speech, facial balance, or even lead to conditions like temporomandibular (TMJ) joint pain, headaches, and sleep apnea. Repositioning the jaw could be necessary depending on the severity.
Orthognathic surgery, or jaw repositioning, is a surgical procedure used by orthodontists when traditional orthodontics cannot correct the problem. The goal of this treatment is to reposition the upper and lower jawbones so that the teeth fit together properly. This can relieve symptoms, and improve the appearance.
Most patients who undergo jaw repositioning treatment also receive orthodontic treatment for straightening their teeth. This can be done before or after the surgery, depending on the needs of each patient. Once the jawbones are in their new position, the orthodontist can then close the gaps between the teeth to create a more even smile.
Our team can help correct the position of the upper and lower jaws using a combination braces and fixed appliances called Herbst. This device uses constant pressure to reposition and align your teeth. This device will help with TMJ pain and dysfunction as well as headaches, nasal problems, and other issues.
We can also use the JawTrac technique to gently and without invasively repositioning your jaw. The device uses a custom mouthpiece that controls the amount of pressure. It applies a gradual and consistent force to your teeth. This helps reduce the negative effects of jaw irregularities, such as snoring.
Before undergoing jaw repositioning, the orthodontist will work closely with an oral surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome. The surgeon will take a series 3D x rays and photos to plan the surgery. In order to fix the jawbones in their new position, titanium plates and screws are inserted. The type of surgery will determine whether it takes place in a hospital.