What does orthodontic mean?

Noun treatment of irregularities in teeth (especially alignment and occlusion) and jaws, including the use of braces.

Orthodontics

is a specialized branch of dentistry. The term orthodontics can be divided into two Greek words: orthodontics which means straight or correct and dontia means teeth. Therefore, orthodontics describes the practice of straightening misaligned teeth or malocclusions.

Dentists who specialize in orthodontics can help manage abnormal position of teeth, jaws, and face. Orthodontists are dental specialists trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Provide a wide range of treatment options to straighten crooked teeth, correct bad bites, and align jaws properly. The orthodontic helmet, sometimes referred to as an extraoral appliance, is a treatment approach that requires the patient to have a device attached to their head to help correct the malocclusion that is normally used when the teeth are not properly aligned.

After orthodontic treatment is finished, there is a tendency for teeth to return, or relapse, to their pre-treatment positions. It's best to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist before deciding on the treatment option you would like, as each case is different and may require a particular orthodontic care option. After earning a five-year degree in dentistry, an orthodontist undergoes another 5,000 hours (or three years of full-time study) of specialized training in the field of orthodontics. Your smile is one of your most important features and the first asset you present to the world, so you need to make sure you're in the best hands with a fully trained orthodontic specialist.

However, there is a lack of conclusive scientific evidence of the health benefits of orthodontic treatment, although patients with completed orthodontic treatment have reported a higher quality of life than untreated patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. One of the most important risks to consider in orthodontics is not achieving the desired treatment result. Whatever the purpose, the orthodontic helmet works by exerting tension on the braces through hooks, a facial arch, spirals, elastic bands, metal orthodontic bands, and other appliances that can be attached directly to the patient's mouth. While orthodontists are primarily known for straightening teeth, they can also help with painful and misaligned bites, tooth movement caused by bad habits, such as thumb sucking, and even some forms of sleep apnea.

Additionally, if you feel that you have been intentionally misled about the skills, qualifications or experience of your orthodontic provider, you can contact the community relations officer of the Australian Dental Association for advice and support in finding a suitable outcome. The orthodontist may also be able to help in some cases of sleep apnea or correct problems caused by prolonged habits, such as sucking your thumb as a child. While a dentist may be trained to provide orthodontic care in addition to extractions, TMJ treatments, and fillings, entrusting your smile to an orthodontist can better balance the different procedures you need.

Dentistry

is a broad medical specialty that deals with teeth, gums, nerves and jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites, occlusions and the straightness of teeth.

Orthodontic treatments involve different types of appliances that are used to retrain muscles, move teeth slowly, and affect jaw growth by exerting gentle pressure on the teeth and jaw. .