| Many people have crowded
or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move
them into a better position. This can not only improve their appearance
but also the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier
to clean.
In some patients the upper front teeth can
stick out and look unsightly. These ‘prominent’ teeth are
more likely to be damaged, but orthodontic treatment can move them back
into line. In others, the way
the upper and lower jaws meet can cause teeth to look unsightly and lead
to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both.
When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this can
put strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw and joint problems
and in some cases
headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help you to bite more evenly and
reduce the strain.
Orthodontic treatment can be done by many sorts of
appliances, which most people know as ‘braces’.
Success depends on a partnership between the skills of the orthodontist,
and the enthusiasm and help of patient and parents. It is important to
attend regularly and carry out any instructions given by the orthodontist.
The success of the treatment also depends on the
commitment of the patient. For children’s orthodontic treatment
it is very important that the patient is as keen as the parent.
When treatment is finished the teeth need to be held in position for
a time. This period is called retention, and the appliances that hold
the teeth in place are called retainers.
The retainers hold newly straightened teeth in position while the surrounding
gum and bone settles. The retainers can be removable or fixed depending
on the original problem.
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