What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is an area of dentistry specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of jaw and bite malalignment and crooked and crowded teeth. Treatment can be performed on adults and children and involves the use of corrective appliances such as braces, plates, headgear and aligners to move the teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
At YourSmileDental, our goal is to help all of our patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts for life.
At YourSmileDental, our goal is to help all of our patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts for life.
Common Problems which may be solved by Orthodontic Treatment
Crowded or crooked teeth
Crowded teeth look unappealing and are more difficult to clean causing bateria build up leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Due to uneven teeth, when you move your upper and lower teeth together in different directions, it can cause chipping of your teeth as edges that stick out wear against opposing teeth.
Spaces between teeth
Large spaces between teeth look unattractive and can interfere with speech. There are various causes of this. Issues that may arise include food trapping causing gum issues.
Missing teeth
Apart from aesthetic concerns, missing teeth have an impact on your long-term oral health as teeth on either side can drift into the space creating further problems. Orthodontic treatment can be used to solve this, often in conjunction with other tooth replacement options.
Protruding teeth
Protruding teeth are more prone to accidental damage and are usually the result of the upper and lower jaws being out of alignment. Protruding teeth can wear unevenly and over-erupt, causing gum damage and speech difficulties.
Bite malalignments and chewing difficulties
This includes cross bite, open bite and under or over bite. In a normal mouth, the upper teeth should fit together with the lower teeth closing together on the outside like a lid on a box. Any variation from this can cause long term problems with eating, speech, uneven tooth wear, over eruption and jaw pain.
Edge-to-Edge Bite
This increases risk of the front teeth wearing, chipping and breaking and shortening of the teeth.
Impacted teeth
A tooth is impacted if it fails to completely erupt from the gum. This can lead to gum problems, decay and damage to other teeth. Orthodontic treatment can be useful to create space and aid the tooth in erupting.
Grinding or clenching of teeth
Grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to other health problems including headaches, head, neck and even shoulder pain. Orthodontic treatment may help to prevent this from occurring.
Thumb sucking
Thumb-sucking can lead to long term problems with teeth and bite alignment. Appliances can be used to help children break this habit.
Crowded teeth look unappealing and are more difficult to clean causing bateria build up leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Due to uneven teeth, when you move your upper and lower teeth together in different directions, it can cause chipping of your teeth as edges that stick out wear against opposing teeth.
Spaces between teeth
Large spaces between teeth look unattractive and can interfere with speech. There are various causes of this. Issues that may arise include food trapping causing gum issues.
Missing teeth
Apart from aesthetic concerns, missing teeth have an impact on your long-term oral health as teeth on either side can drift into the space creating further problems. Orthodontic treatment can be used to solve this, often in conjunction with other tooth replacement options.
Protruding teeth
Protruding teeth are more prone to accidental damage and are usually the result of the upper and lower jaws being out of alignment. Protruding teeth can wear unevenly and over-erupt, causing gum damage and speech difficulties.
Bite malalignments and chewing difficulties
This includes cross bite, open bite and under or over bite. In a normal mouth, the upper teeth should fit together with the lower teeth closing together on the outside like a lid on a box. Any variation from this can cause long term problems with eating, speech, uneven tooth wear, over eruption and jaw pain.
Edge-to-Edge Bite
This increases risk of the front teeth wearing, chipping and breaking and shortening of the teeth.
Impacted teeth
A tooth is impacted if it fails to completely erupt from the gum. This can lead to gum problems, decay and damage to other teeth. Orthodontic treatment can be useful to create space and aid the tooth in erupting.
Grinding or clenching of teeth
Grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to other health problems including headaches, head, neck and even shoulder pain. Orthodontic treatment may help to prevent this from occurring.
Thumb sucking
Thumb-sucking can lead to long term problems with teeth and bite alignment. Appliances can be used to help children break this habit.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
- Straighter teeth and a wider smile for an attractive smile (and boost your confidence)
- Easier to clean your teeth for healthier teeth and gums
- Decreased risk of trauma and abnormal wear
Treatment for younger patients
Orthodontic treatment on younger patients, also known as early intervention, is growing more and more common. Whilst similar treatment solutions are offered, early intervention is often preferable as children’s bones are still developing, therefore making teeth easier to move into the correct position. Assessment and diagnosis at around the age of 7 or 8 is ideal as it may be possible to prevent serious problems from occurring as well as reduce treatment time.
Treatment for adults
Standard orthodontic treatment is commonly used for adults, however, another popular treatment alternative are clear aligners. This is a series of custom-made clear aligners, similar to a sport mouthguard (Only much finer) that places pressure on the teeth moving them into position. The aligners are removable so you can enjoy all your favourite foods and clean your mouth normally. Replaced approximately every two weeks, they are virtually invisible, so no one can notice you are wearing them.
Although clear aligners are very popular, they are not suitable for every situation.
YourSmileDental Orthodontics Treatment
Our dentists who offer orthodontic treatment at YourSmileDental, have been thoroughly trained academically and clinically.
We use an orthodontic appliance that is custom made for your personal dental needs. Please click this link to Individual Patient (IP).
Individual Patient (IP) Orthodontics is an improved version of the standard (straight archwire) orthodontic treatment. Instead of using a ‘one size fits all’ bracket and archwire system like conventional braces do, IP Orthodontics uses customised braces and wires, unique to your anatomy and case goals. IP Orthodontics’ customisation leads to faster, more effective treatment and better retention.
If required, you may need to be referred to a specialist orthodontist to meet you specific treatment requirements.
We use an orthodontic appliance that is custom made for your personal dental needs. Please click this link to Individual Patient (IP).
Individual Patient (IP) Orthodontics is an improved version of the standard (straight archwire) orthodontic treatment. Instead of using a ‘one size fits all’ bracket and archwire system like conventional braces do, IP Orthodontics uses customised braces and wires, unique to your anatomy and case goals. IP Orthodontics’ customisation leads to faster, more effective treatment and better retention.
If required, you may need to be referred to a specialist orthodontist to meet you specific treatment requirements.
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