Dental technology advancements in dentistry and how they help make dentistry less can possible help us to maintain healthy mouth and teeth for lifetime. Crooked teeth and uneven jaws affect periodontal tissues and lead to tooth decay; however, medical intervenes is preferred in some cases in order to conduct orthodontic surgeries to avoid these complications... Dr. Hussein Al-Beedh Associate Consultant of Orthodontic at the International Medical Center Hospital in Jeddah, and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (Orthodontics) answered our questions regarding the orthodontics. Can any practitioner dentist perform orthodontic treatment? No, but I should notify that braces must be handled only by a consultant or specialist of orthodontics as orthodontics specialty requires 3 years of post-graduation studies in order to be qualified orthodontist. How are teeth straightened? Braces are usually the most precise and effective way to straighten teeth. Some problems can be treated with simpler or alternative devices such as removable appliances. An orthodontist will be able to advise what is most suitable for you or your child What are some possible benefits of orthodontic treatment? • A more attractive smile • Better confidence and self-esteem • Increased ability to clean the teeth • Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth • Aid in optimizing other dental treatment • Better function of the teeth • Better long term health of teeth and gums How long does treatment take? Treatment time will depend on multiple factors including: • a) The severity of the original problem • b) Age of the patient • c) Bone density of the jaws • d) Patient's level of cooperation. • In general, treatment times range from 6-30 months. Will treatment be uncomfortable? Wearing braces is simple and generally quite easy with the modern devices available. However, braces do need to be regularly adjusted, calculated manner to achieve the desired perfect results with minimal discomfort to the patient. Will braces affect my lifestyle? Contrary to some people's fears, your lifestyle is minimally affected during treatment. Am I too old for orthodontics? These days, with greater dental awareness about 40% of orthodontic patients today are adults. Many adults are correcting problems that were never treated when they were children. As long as you're supporting bone and gums are reasonably healthy, you can still undergo orthodontic treatment. Is adult orthodontic treatment different from that given to children and teenagers? Yes. The main differences for an adult are the increased bone density, absence of jaw growth, possible gum problems, worn, broken or missing teeth. Due to these factors, some adults may need to see other dental specialists as well as an orthodontist for complete treatment. Also, teeth usually move more slowly in adults than in children and teenagers. I see ads for perfect teeth in only one or two visits to the dentist. How is orthodontic treatment different? The ads you are seeing may be for veneers. They cover crooked teeth and mask the problem, but do not address the structure in the mouth or how the upper and lower teeth meet. Veneers are not permanent and may require removal of tooth enamel. Orthodontic treatment is far more than simply treating how teeth look. It's about aligning teeth and jaws so that they meet and function effectively. What are my options if I don't want braces that show? Should your case warrant it, you might want to ask your orthodontist about lingual braces, which are attached behind the teeth. Ceramic braces may be another option to lessen the visibility of braces; they blend in with the teeth for a more natural effect. Additionally, the use of a series of clear aligner trays (invisible braces) instead of traditional braces may be used to correct some problems. Talk with your orthodontist about less visible treatment options that will help you reach your treatment goals. Will I need to have my teeth extracted for braces? Removing teeth is occasionally required to achieve the best orthodontic result. We work very diligently to minimize the need for these extractions by using space maintainers and other techniques in our first phases of orthodontic treatment. When should my child see an orthodontist? Most orthodontic problems are best treated when a person is young. We recommend that you consult an orthodontist when your child is around the age of 7-8 years so that the optimum starting time can be determined. How important is it to see an orthodontist at an early age? Seeing your orthodontist at a young age is detrimental in certain cases as interceptive treatment can prevent later greater dental complications. Early treatment planning can also help in modifying skeletal discrepancies in the jaws through growth modification appliances currently used in growing children. This can prevent future jaw surgeries to correct these discrepancies later in life. It can also detect impacted teeth which may cause root resorption and pathological changes to adjacent structures in the mouth if not treated early in life. It is therefore paramount that Orthodontic screening is done early on to ensure a healthy and functional beautiful smile for the patient. Who straightens teeth? Orthodontists are the specialists who fix crooked teeth and jaws. They are dentists who have completed a further three years of full-time postgraduate training in orthodontics (usually a Master's degree). They must also be registered as a specialist orthodontist by their State Dental Board and work exclusively in this field. Why straighten teeth? These days, with regular dental care, teeth should last a person's lifetime. Crooked teeth and jaws can interfere with jaw function and speech and lead to long-term dental problems such as tooth wear and gum damage. Orthodontic treatment can correct these problems, laying the foundation for the patient's long term dental health.
