"Orthodontics is the specialized field of dentistry concerned with treatment, correction and prevention of malocclusion of teeth. The word malocclusion refers to “improper or irregular bites” and is the direct opposite of the term occlusion. Within the entire field of dentistry, Orthodontics is probably the most well-known specialized branch and is largely associated with braces, which will be explored in this article.
Why?
You may be wondering what exactly is the purpose of Orthodontics and why a specialized field has been developed for this. You may even be wondering why a normal dentist could not practice what an orthodontist does.
Orthodontics is sought for two main reasons. Firstly, it is sought for the practical reason of providing the patient with a fully functional, improved and regular bite. It certainly isn’t too comfortable eating with a bite that’s slightly out of line and twisted. This is by far the number one reason why Orthodontics is sought.
The other reason why people seek this type of treatment is for purely aesthetic reasons (or more commonly known as cosmetic reasons). The patient may already possess a regular bite, however, they are not satisfied with the appearance of their teeth especially when they smile. The amount of people seeking Orthodontics for this very reason has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years.
Benefits
There are several benefits that can be gained from seeking Orthodontics apart from simply improving an irregular bite or improving the appearance of your teeth. Below are some of these.
Orthodontics allows people to experience long-term dental health. This is because properly aligned teeth makes it easier to maintain a good level of oral hygiene. Crooked teeth always make it difficult to reach certain places when cleaning your teeth. This in turn, reduces the risk of tooth decay.
One of the most unknown benefits of Orthodontics, is the fact that a good bite can allow you to chew more efficiently leading to improved digestion. Those can cannot chew in an efficient manner can potentially experience nutritional deficiencies.
In addition, seeking treatment from an orthodontist can improve your speech. Many people who possess misaligned teeth experience speaking difficulties which can be easily resolved by repositioning teeth.
Lastly, it’s an unknown fact that those with improper bites are also the ones whose back teeth will wear out more quickly than normal. Orthodontics is able to treat such a problem and give you better, healthier teeth in the long-term.
What Tools Are Used?
There are number of tools are that commonly used in the field of Orthodontics. However, there are 2 main ones which will now be quickly discussed.
The most common tool and the one which Orthodontics is most associated with are dental braces (orthodontic braces). These are used to align people’s teeth according to their bite. Orthodontists have to assess a person’s correct or ideal bite before proceeding to putting braces on the teeth.
The next most common tools in Orthodontics are retainers, which may be used for 2 different reasons. They may be used to realign teeth before using dental braces or after using dental braces to hold teeth in their new position. They are typically made out of wires and plastic."
Article Reference Source: http://www.dentalcarecentral.net/dental-services/orthodontics
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