|
Orthodontics is the field of
dentistry that addresses
straightening of crooked or
overcrowded teeth and closing
gaps between teeth. More and
more adults who never had the
opportunity as children to
have their teeth straightened
are turning to orthodontists
to improve their smiles.
Young
adults - Starting off right
Traditionally, people consider
braces when they are not
pleased with their smile.
However braces can also help
you keep your teeth healthy
well into your later years by
ensuring that your tooth
spacing and alignment is
optimal for easier flossing
and brushing.
Similarly,
people with extensive
overbite, underbite or
crowding of teeth benefit from
addressing the problem early.
First stop
for Aesthetics
Those
interested in improving their
aesthetic appearance are often
surprised to discover that
they are able to achieve the
result they are hoping for
with bleaching and
orthodontics instead of
veneers. We do recommend
orthodontic treatment as part
of an aesthetic treatment
programme as this will
minimise any changes made to
existing teeth. Using veneers
to straighten teeth can result
in bulky uncomfortable
restorations as well as
extensive preparation of
otherwise healthy teeth.
Restoration
- a vital role
However the
core of our work here at the
Windsor Centre for Advanced
Dentistry is helping adults
with often severely
compromised teeth and gums.
Orthodontic treatment plays an
invaluable role in the
inter-disciplinary treatment
often necessary in these cases
when coordinated with other
treatments such as dental
implants, crowns, bridges and
veneers especially in complex
restorative cases.
The reason
that braces work so well is
also the reason they are
required to treat people.
Teeth will readily move to a
new position with braces but
also if there is no resistance
in a particular direction when
teeth are missing or lost.
This can often be the
beginning of the collapse of
an otherwise healthy mouth, a
domino effect if you like.
For
example, if a back tooth is
lost and something not placed
in the gap, like a dental
implant or bridge, all of the
teeth adjacent to the gap will
begin to migrate into the gap.
The teeth behind and in front
will typically tilt in the
direction of the gap, and even
the tooth opposite in the
opposite jaw will 'overerupt'
as there is no longer chewing
pressure keeping it in place.
Of course
this will happen at different
rates for different people,
but ultimately it affects
everyone. We do recommend
implants for missing teeth as
they do not require disturbing
healthy adjacent teeth as is
the case with making a bridge.
There are a variety of methods
of preparing bridges, most all
of which do require cutting
into the adjacent teeth to
anchor the bridge.
Treatment
Options
Modern
orthodontic treatment usually
involves the use of fixed
braces to move teeth, enabling
patients to be treated to a
high standard and giving the
best possible results.
Treatment
options are more varied now
than ever. Conditions that
were not possible to be
treated can now be treated as
a matter of course.
Kinds
of Braces
Labial
(exterior) fixed braces
Conventional labial fixed
braces are the best value, and
come in more varieties than
ever before. Traditional metal
braces are smaller and less
obvious than ever, for
youngsters we make these with
changeable coloured elastics
so you can surprise your
friends with a different
colour after each visit to the
dentist.
Ceramic
braces are available that are
tooth coloured and are very
difficult to see.
Crystal
brackets are now available
which are made from clear
crystal, and are virtually
invisible as well.
Selection
of these types of exterior
braces is mostly down to
personal preference and
budget, as they all are able
to achieve similar results in
equivalent time scales.
Lingual
fixed braces
Lingual
braces are placed on the
inside (backs) of the teeth in
a similar fashion to labial
braces and are an equally
effective option. Although
these are more expensive in
that they require specialist
expertise and longer visits
they have the huge advantage
of being hidden from view and
therefore are not visible in
the smile.
Removable
clear braces
Invisalign©
being the most widely known -
are an increasingly popular
method of treatment. A great
way to have orthodontic
treatment without anyone
knowing.
These
removable clear braces slip
onto your teeth and can be
used in many circumstances,
however it is particularly
important to have a
consultation with an
orthodontist to discuss your
objectives, as they may find
that an alternative appliance
suits you better. |
