What is Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial malpositions to restore esthetics and masticatory function.

The idea that serves to place the orthodontic teeth aligned and pretty these days is quite incomplete, and is just one of the great advantages is achieved with a good treatment.

We all like to have a beautiful smile and a healthier mouth. The importance of an attractive smile should not be underestimated, since a good, often it is vital to the self.
Chueca and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, this can contribute to conditions that cause tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease and tooth loss.
The abnormal position of the articulation of the jaw can cause cracks, chronic headaches and pains in the face and neck that are often confused with migraine or other problems.
Thus, the orthodontist's goal is to achieve health, function and esthetics for their patients because, if left unaddressed, these problems worsen.

Malocclusions

The technical term for the problems is that of malocclusion, meaning bad bite.

Many of these problems not only affect the teeth but also to the face, causing deformities and poor personal appearance.

Some of the facial and dental problems most common are:

- Crowded or overlapping teeth. Impede the proper development of the jaw.
- Widely-spaced teeth.
- Missing or supernumerary teeth.
- Teeth protrude or "left."
Maxilar-protruding or "left" and very small jaw.
-Lower jaw very outgoing.

All of them, in addition to the above problems, often causing abnormal wear on tooth surfaces and excessive pressure can damage the bone supporting the teeth.

These malocclusions can be caused by bad habits, sucking one or more fingers, place the tongue between the teeth, airway restricted by angina or adenoids, premature loss of primary teeth (milk) or the permanent and hereditary factors.


Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is based on the calculation of forces and biomechanical changes in the structure Maxillofacial through the application of devices that regulate efforts to move and position the teeth.

The process can last several months, because it involves different phases in which you make withdrawals, or open spaces are closed and the teeth are rotated about various axes to make the desired location and orientation.

Once this starts retention, an important step which is to keep the teeth in the position achieved by the end of orthodontic treatment and prevent the natural biomechanical forces causing a rebound of the pieces.

Factors that may influence the return of the bad tooth position are:

- Changes related to growth.
- Potential changes in the dental arches, passes under the age of the patient.
- Oral Musculature.
- Bad habits such as tongue thrust, atypical swallowing, etc..
- Poor oral hygiene results in inflammation of the gums and loss of supporting tissues of the tooth.

The devices used by orthodontists for retention are of two types, fixed and removable.

Removable appliances are used more and have an acrylic base, fastening with hooks and a labial arch wire.

The equipment is primarily used when planning a prolonged retention or fears that instability in the alignment was obtained with the treatment, especially in patients with low bone support.

Early treatment (7-8 years) is beneficial to help guide the growth of the face and jaw, and to avoid interference of teeth during the change of teeth (milk) to the permanent (adult).

It is at this stage when you can get the best dentofacial orthopedics to redirect and stimulate the growth of the jaw and get the best results.

But any age is appropriate for orthodontic treatment. There are now a considerable number of adults who attend orthodontic problems that were not corrected during childhood.

Costs

Orthodontic treatment to correct them is less expensive than the surgery required to correct the serious problems that develop years later.

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of each problem. Many malocclusions requiring treatment limited to moderate costs. The investment you make in your oral health will be minimal compared to benefits received.

Usually you can arrange a payment method available to your needs with a modest down payment and monthly fixed charge without intervention