When a dentist sees that a person’s teeth are not aligned properly, he or she will refer them to an orthodontist. Orthodontists from www.smilebar.com are specialists in correcting these problems.
They treat children, teenagers, and adults who have crooked teeth or jaws that don’t fit together correctly. They can also correct problems that are caused by habits such as thumb sucking or clenching and grinding teeth.
Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays provide important information about your mouth. These X rays show your teeth’s size and number, their position within your jaw, how they interact, and any abnormalities.
These X rays can help your dental professional detect tooth decay and other issues such as cysts or tumors. They can also help to detect bone loss and abscesses. They can also detect impacted teeth and other issues which are not visible with the naked eye. X-rays can also be used to identify the cause of a problem, such as an infection or injury.
There are different types of dental X rays. Bitewing X-rays allow your dentist to see between your teeth for tooth decay, check the height of your gum line, and look at the structure of your jaw bones. These X-rays can be done quickly, without pain and with no invasiveness. Radiation is used in a minimal amount to create these X rays.
Panoramic X-rays provide a full panoramic view of your sinus area, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding soft tissues. These X-rays are a combination of multiple images taken as the machine rotates your head. They provide a more comprehensive picture but lack the fine detail of other X-rays.
Periapical X rays give a closer look at a specific tooth. These X-rays show the entire tooth, from the tip of crown to the bottom root and surrounding bone. They are often taken when you have a toothache or other symptoms.
Cephalometric radiographs allow your dentist to see the profile of your jaw and top of your mouth. These X rays can be used to diagnose skeletal abnormalities, sinusitis and jaw disorders that are not detectable with standard X rays. A radiopaque dye is used to highlight the salivary glands in an X-ray, allowing you to detect problems such as blockages, Sjogren’s syndrome and other conditions.
Treatment Plan
Orthodontists are dentists who have received specialized training to diagnose and treat irregularities in the teeth and jaw. They treat children, teens, and adults with crooked or misaligned teeth, or jaws. They can also treat future problems, such as an underbite or overbite. They can also fix problems with the gums and tongue, such as a large gap in the teeth (diastema).
Treatment plans usually involve dental braces or other appliances that will gradually straighten the teeth. Jaw surgery can be used to correct severe overbites or underbites. These procedures are usually done before an adult, when the bones are still growing.
Before deciding whether to treat a patient, the orthodontist will examine their mouth and take x rays. Treatment plans can last anywhere from 18 months up to three years. During this time the orthodontist makes regular visits to the patient to ensure the braces work and that they’re on track to achieve the ideal smile.
The orthodontist might recommend that the patient wear a retainer in order to prevent their teeth from shifting back into their original position. Orthodontists may require that the patient visit on a regular schedule to have his braces cleaned and checked. It is important to wear a retainer regularly. This will help ensure that your teeth remain in their new positions. It is recommended that a person see an orthodontist for an evaluation before the age of 7, but an orthodontist can treat adults as well. Orthodontists are often referred to by dentists. However, patients can also go directly to one without a referral.
Braces
Braces gradually align teeth by applying light, constant pressure for a long time. This also allows the bone under the teeth to change shape and adapt to the new position of the tooth. Braces correct problems such crooked, overcrowded, and misaligned teeth (also known by the term malocclusion). They can also improve facial appearance and improve chewing and speech difficulties.
Treatment is usually completed in one to three years. After braces are taken off, patients wear retainers to hold their newly aligned teeth in place. Braces today are smaller and more comfortable. They also apply a gentler constant force on teeth.
A fixed brace is composed of brackets that attach to the fronts of each tooth. The arch wires connect them. Arch wires are available in stainless steel or a clear plastic like nickel-titanium. This makes them less visible. The brackets are designed with horizontal slots where the arch wire can be inserted. These slots are held closed by ligatures, tiny rubber bands or metal ties that can be changed at each adjustment visit.
Other fixed braces parts include buccal tubes, which anchor to one molar or more and guide the archwires. Arch wires are bent, shaped and tightened often to apply pressure and align teeth and bite. Elastic ligatures are available in a variety of colors and can be tied around the arch wire to add more or less pressure on particular areas of the teeth. Power chains can be used to apply extra force in specific directions.
The orthodontist may take X-rays, perform an oral exam, and make a mold of your child’s mouth and teeth before deciding which type of braces will be best for them. They can then use this information to create a treatment plan, which will include a list of things your child will need to do in order to get the best results from their treatment.
Retainers
Retainers are used to keep your teeth in the new position after your orthodontic treatment. Many factors can lead to crooked teeth or misaligned smiles, including genetics, the way you speak and chew, and natural processes over time. Braces and aligners can be used by your orthodontist to correct these problems, but they cannot prevent them from occurring. Retainers are important for this reason!
Retainers can be easily removed from your mouth. They are available in different colors so you can match them to your smile. Your orthodontist makes a retainer after taking an impression with dental putty. The molds allow them to see how your teeth fit and how you bite. It only takes 30 seconds to a minute for them to do this!
There are many types of retainers available, depending on the type that your orthodontist prescribes. Some people get fixed retainers, which are bonded to the back of their upper or lower front teeth. These are also known as permanent retainers, and they cannot be removed. Others get removable retainers, which are made out of clear plastic and can be taken in and out of your mouth.
Your orthodontist gives you instructions on how to care for and wear a removable brace. You must follow the instructions carefully, or your retainer will not fit correctly, and may even break. You should also avoid hard foods like seeds, which can get stuck in your retainer. If you experience any problems with your retainer contact your orthodontist as soon as possible.
