A brief introduction to orthodontics

Post date: Jan 10, 2018 5:57:40 AM

Orthodontia or orthodontics is a specialty field of dentistry that deals primarily with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of misaligned and mal-positioned teeth and jaws. The word comes from the Greek “orthos” which means correct or straight, and “odont” (tooth).

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While both a dentist and an orthodontist are doctors focusing on oral care and the teeth and gums, the latter is a specialist who has undergone special training in a dental school or college after he or she obtained a degree in dentistry. Orthodontists specialize in helping patients with the alignment of their teeth, improving their bite, or fitting them for corrective braces and other dental devices.

Additional problems with the jaw also need to be treated by an orthodontist. If a patient has an overbite, a dentist will refer him or her to an orthodontist. The technical term for the imperfect position of the teeth when the jaws are closed is “malocclusion.” The typical orthodontic treatment for it can take around two years to complete, with braces being altered slightly every six to eight weeks by the orthodontist.

There are many ways to deal with malocclusion, depending on the needs of the patient. More options for treating skeletal discrepancies are available for growing patients, like using functional appliances, orthodontic headgear, or a reverse pull facemask. Most orthodontic work is started during the early permanent dentition stage, before skeletal growth is completed.

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Dr. Kami Hoss has master’s and doctorate degrees in craniofacial biology and dental surgery, respectively. His company, The Super Dentists, is the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego with more than 180 employees, serving 125,000+ active patients. For similar reads, check out this blog.