Correct age for starting orthodontic treatment
The most confusing question for most parents,
and some general dentists, is when to actually
start treatment. The objective is to treat at
the time when it will minimize treatment time,
achieve a normal profile, and get the best long
term, stable result. Some orthodontic problems
start developing at the age of 6 to 7 years, and
it is usually a good time to get an initial consultation,
especially if the parent or general dentist suspects
that a problem may be developing. Though no active
treatment may be initiated at this time in most
cases, some problems may need to be intercepted
to prevent them from later developing into complicated
situations. An example of an indication to start
early treatment is the presence of a cross-bite
of the front or back teeth. However, if there
are no unusual circumstances, the first visit
to the orthodontist should be at the age of 10
years for girls and 11 years for boys.
Causes of crooked teeth
Heredity is the main cause although local factors
such as finger sucking, high cavity rate, gum
disease, trauma and premature loss of baby teeth
can also contribute to a bad bite.
Teeth Straightening
Poorly arranged teeth can break easily and can
trap food particles that cause tooth decay and
gum disease. They can also lead to poor chewing
and digestion which can be bad for your overall
health. Finally, poorly arranged teeth detract
from your smile which is one of the more important
features of your face.
Braces use steady, gentle pressure over time
to move teeth into their proper positions. They
don't look like they're doing much just sitting
there, but in fact, during every moment in your
orthodontic treatment period, there's something
happening in your mouth, something good for you.
The brackets we place on your teeth and the main
arch wire that connects them are the two main
components. The bracket is a piece of specially
shaped metal or ceramic that we stick on each
tooth. Then we bend the arch wire to reflect your
'ideal" bite- what we want you to look like
after treatment. The wire threads through the
brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its
original shape, it applies pressure to actually
move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in
your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from
the arch wire, the bone on the other side gives
way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind.
It may look like nothing is happening but we're
making a new smile here. Thanks to new materials
and procedures, all this happens much quicker
than ever before. It's kind of an engineering
feat.
Braces for Adults
If the teeth and gums are healthy, age is not
a factor. About 40% of orthodontic patients are
adults. Dr.UdhayaRaja has successfully treated
several patients over 40 years of age and a few
patients up to 62 years.
Growth modification
These are some special procedures used apart
from braces to either restrict the excessive growth
of the jaws or stimulate the under grown jaws.
These techniques are used early during the active
growth period of children just before their puberty
using special appliances namely Bionators, Frankles
Appliances, Twin Blocks, Face Masks, Rapid Maxillary
Expansion. Dr.Udhayaraja's research work and thesis
makes the expertise used on the young children
more effectively. The Growth modification helps
in achieving balanced Jaws on which if irregular
or protruded teeth present can be treated using
braces as the next stage of treatment.
Before treatment
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After treatment
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Functional Jaw Orthopedics
Growth modification techniques otherwise called
as Functional Jaw Orthopedics are special procedures
used between 9 and 12 years during which time
the active Growth of the jaws take place. Diagnosis
is made by Clinical Examination and Face X-rays.
If the jaw growth is excess it could be restricted
or if the growth is short can be stimulated to
grow using some special appliances. These procedures
eliminate the need for Orthognathic Surgeries
at a later date in majority of cases.
Functional Appliance treatment
Before treatment
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After treatment
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If the Jaw growth related problem is diagnosed
after the Growth is over then using both Braces
and Orthognathic Surgical Procedures. These procedures
are either done in the Upper Jaw or Lower Jaw
or combined Upper and Lower Jaws. Sometimes Chin
Surgeries and Nasal Surgeries may be needed.
Micro Implants
Micro implants Dentos™ in Orthodontics
used as an adjunctive to retract severely protruded
teeth beyond the scope of braces. By using micro
implants in orthodontic the need for surgical
Orthodontics has reduced to a great percentage.
These implants are TITANIUM and does not cause
any excessive discomfort and can be easily removed
once their action is over.
Before treatment
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After treatment
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Getting Started with Orthodontic Treatment
