How Can Orthodontic Treatment Help?

Jun 16, 2019

An orthodontic is specialised in making the teeth straight. The treatment can be cosmetic which improves the appearance and aims to provide a better oral function.

Types of treatment

Closing wide gaps between the teeth
Aligning the tips of the teeth
Straightening crooked teeth
Improving speech or chewing ability
Boosting the long-term health of gums and teeth
Treating an improper bite

Your Peoria orthodontist uses a wide range of medical dental devices including headgear, plates, and braces to achieve these goals.

Devices

Orthodontic devices are of 2 types-

Fixed
Removable

Fixed appliances

The most common devices and used when precision is important. You can eat normally with fixed appliances but need to avoid some foods and drinks.

Examples of fixed orthodontic appliances-

Braces

Braces consist of brackets, wires, and bands. Bands are fixed around the teeth and serve as anchors while brackets are connected to the front of the teeth.

Wires pass through the brackets in the shape of an arch and are fixed to the bands. Over time, it moves the teeth into proper position. Visit an orthodontist in Peoria, AZ regularly to adjust or tighten the braces.

Fixed-space maintainers

Space maintainer helps in stopping the two teeth at either side of the spaces from moving when a child loses a baby tooth until the adult tooth comes through. A band is fixed to one of the teeth and a wire goes from the band to the other tooth.

Removable space maintainers

It is an alternative to fixed-space maintainers.

Special fixed appliances

It controls the tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. It can be uncomfortable while eating.

Removable orthodontic appliances

It is used to treat minor problems such as thumb sucking or correcting slightly crooked teeth. The appliance should be taken out during cleaning, eating or flossing.

Splints, or jaw repositioning appliances

It is placed either in the top or lower jaw which help to close the jaw properly. Splints are used for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). It is a condition that causes pain and dysfunction in the muscles involved in the jaw movement.