What is Orthodontics?

 What is an Orthodontist?

 Who requires Orthodontic?

 What Causes Orthodontic Problems?

 Why is Treatment So Important?

 Is it Ever Too Late to Get Started?

 What Does Treatment Involve?

 Is the treatment very painful?

 Why do some patients have to extract teeth and some not?

 How Long Does Treatment Take?

 Do i have to modify my diet ?

 How much does Orthodontic Treatment Cost?

 How should I clean my teeth with braces on?

 Does this treatment affect my performance at school / work / sports?

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What Is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that is officially known as Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying "bad bite."

When you have a malocclusion, that means your teeth, lips and/or jaws don't line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not work correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced.

To fix bad bites, orthodontists - dentists who are specially trained - use braces and other corrective procedures, including materials often called "appliances," to achieve tooth and jaw alignment. This correction of the teeth and their supportive structures makes for a healthy, attractive smile.

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists. Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective.

It takes many years to become an orthodontist and the educational requirements are demanding.

Only dentists who have successfully completed advanced specialty education programs may call themselves orthodontists.

Who requires Orthodontic?

Anyone with misaligned or irregular teeth, buck teeth crowded teeth, overlapping teeth, rabbit teeth or ones with gaps in between may require orthodontic treatment. There are numerous reasons for malaligned or irregular teeth. These are briefly: Small Jaw Thumb-sucking Bad lip and tongue habits Other habits like breathing through the mouth, nail biting Incompetent lips Injury/ accidents

What Causes Orthodontic Problems?

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, loss of permanent teeth, accidents, poor nutrition, or some medical problems.

Sometimes, an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. But, whatever the cause, we are usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

 

Why is Treatment So Important?

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems.

Then there's the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you're not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.

Finally, without treatment, many problems become worse. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.

Is it Ever Too Late to Get Started?

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every five orthodontic patients today is over age 18. Thanks to today's smaller, less visible, more comfortable brackets, adults are finding braces more appealing. Healthy teeth, bones and gums respond well to orthodontic treatment at almost any age. It's never too late to get a healthy, beautiful smile.

What Does Treatment Involve?

First and foremost, orthodontic treatment involves the patient. To achieve the desired results, the patient must diligently follow our instructions about wearing orthodontic appliances and practice good dental hygiene. With braces, certain foods, like peanut brittle, caramels and bubble gum are off limits - as is chewing ice.

We provide custom-made braces, retainers or other corrective appliances, according to the problem being treated. Whether they're removable or "fixed" into the mouth, whether they're made of metal, ceramic or plastic, all orthodontic appliances have a common purpose-to use gentle pressure to move teeth and jaws into their proper positions. Today's patients benefit from techniques and materials that enhance the comfort of orthodontic treatment.

Is the treatment very painful?

The treatment is certainly not painless, but the pain is mild and lasts from 3 to 7 days after a visit to the orthodontist. After this, there is no pain. During subsequent adjustments or wire changes, there may be mild pain. Recent advances in Orthodontics have made treatment far more comfortable. The braces become a part of you, just like a pair of spectacles.

Why do some patients have to extract teeth and some not?

In some cases a patient may need to get some teeth extracted in order to fix the braces. Teeth are only removed after serious consideration. However, if the patient is referred to a qualified orthodontist at a young age and the problem is not severe, than the entire treatment may be carried out without tooth removal. It is critical therefore to visit a dentist at the earliest sign of irregular teeth so that he may refer you an orthodontist.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Although every case is different, generally speaking, patients wear braces from one to three years. Treatment times vary with factors that include the severity of the problem being corrected and how well the patient follows our instructions. Patients who brush and floss thoroughly and regularly; avoid hard and sticky foods; wear their rubber bands and/or headgear as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on-time with good results. After the braces are removed, most patients wear a retainer for some time to keep or

new positions. We will determine how long the retainer needs to be worn. Most patients remain under the our supervision during the retention phase to ensure that the teeth stay properly aligned.

Do i have to modify my diet ?

You can continue to eat your favorite foods but they will have to be prepared specially. Your food will have to be softened, or cut into small pieces, or be well-cooked before eating. Ice creams and colas may be had as usual but corn will have to be sliced off the cob, hard fruits will need to be sliced, must and chikki ground and chocolate must not be eaten after refrigeration. Foods that are best avoided are popcorn, sticky chocolates, hard nuts and fruits, hard crusts and chewing gum. These foods can break or loosen your braces making you uncomfortable and can delay treatment.

How Much Does Orthodontic Treatment Cost?

The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity, the length of treatment and the type of braces you choose. We will be glad to discuss the cost with you before treatment begins.

Braces are more affordable today than ever. We have a variety of convenient payment plans. For ease the cost of the complete treatment is distributed over the treatment period. 

Rupee for rupee, when you consider the lifetime benefits of braces, they are truly a great value.

How should I clean my teeth with braces on?

	Brushing with braces on your teeth requires a little more effort than, if you didn’t any. Use a soft bristled toothbrush or an orthodontic toothbrush Brush twice a day in gentle circular motions with special emphasis to dislodge food that is lodged between teeth and the braces. Use mouthwash to rinse additionally. Never allow plaque or food to accumulate on the teeth and braces.