When you hear the word “orthodontist,” you might have images in your head of braces or retainers- and you would be correct. However, there is more to it than that. An orthodontist is a professional specialized in Orthodontics, a specific area of Dentistry. It is one of the specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). The role of the orthodontist is to work on correcting the position of the patient's teeth and jaw bones so that the person has a corrected bite, helping with cleaning and hygiene, avoiding pain, and contributing to oral health.
The work of this professional involves several factors that help the whole health of the patient. Crooked teeth can affect people in many ways. Deformities can make it difficult to clean the mouth, which can cause some types of periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis, weakening, deterioration and even tooth loss.
Crooked chewing can cause pain, which can also be symptoms that the patient needs to seek out an Orthodontic professional. If not treated, pain causes several problems that tend to be aggravated. Muscle stress can lead to headaches and neck pain, as well as jaw and jaw joint syndromes. Mental health can also be affected due to deformities, which can lower people's self-esteem.
Therefore, the role of the orthodontist is fundamental in several ways and can prevent and avoid some health problems, from the simplest to the most serious. Generally, the treatments are aided like the use of dental braces by the patients.
Orthodontics: what is it?
Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the position of the teeth and jaw bones. So, if you've noticed that your dental arch is bending, your smile is misaligned or if you have a tooth emerging over another, maybe it's time to look for a professional in the field. Orthodontics also works with various modalities and types of appliances, which can be mobile or fixed. Everything will depend on the needs of each patient.
What does an orthodontist do?
The orthodontist is the professional who will help in the mission to provide a more beautiful and functional for you. Orthodontic treatment will not only help with the position of your teeth, but will also return the correct function of chewing, swallowing and speech, in addition to reducing any dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint - if any.
How do I know if I need an orthodontist?
* Lack of space for the correct accommodation of permanent teeth;
* Deep, open or crossed bite ;
* mouth breathing;
* Crooked or out of position teeth;
* Diastemas;
* Early loss or prolonged retention of milk teeth;
* Finger or pacifier sucking habit ;
* Difficulty chewing;
* Joints that emit noise;
* Lack of proportion between the jaws.
Types of orthodontics
Preventive orthodontics
This type of orthodontics prevents the patient from having to use fixed braces in the future or undergo intense procedures, such as tooth extraction.
Interceptive orthodontics
This type of orthodontics is more used when the professional discovers the beginning of an orthodontic problem. With it, we can avoid more complex treatment in the future. Among the problems that can be avoided with this type of orthodontics are: crossbite, loss of arch length, and traumatic occlusion.
Corrective orthodontics
Corrective orthodontics is the indicated option when there is a need to correct occlusion and positioning problems, whether permanent or mixed. This type of treatment is usually the most common, as many patients end up leaving their teeth to be treated when the problem is already installed in the oral cavity.
Children's orthodontics
How old should I take my child to the orthodontist? This is a very common question among parents. However, it is recommended that the first visit be made between the ages of five and seven. It is at this stage that the child enters the process of exchanging milk teeth for permanent ones and that the first teething problems may occur. In addition to the appearance and function of the teeth, treatment with braces can also influence the child's speech.
What is the difference between dentist and orthodontist?
A recurring doubt is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. Dentists are professionals trained in dentistry. In general, they can act in preventing and acting against problems and can specialize in any of the areas recognized by the American Dental Association.
An orthodontist is a professional in Orthodontics, one of the branches of Dentistry. They need to have the specialization to work in the area and work in the prevention and care of problems related to positioning and irregularities in the formation of teeth.