Orthodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the study and correction of the position of teeth, dental arches and TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) problems.
The main objective of orthodontics is to achieve good occlusion (perfect contact of the teeth and their relationship with the arches) and good dental alignment.
As its name suggests, it is to prevent malocclusions. It is applied at very early ages, 4-6 years, and acts before problems appear.
Correction of interferences that alter the bite, space maintainers for premature loss of primary teeth due to caries, to maintain the correct position of the teeth until the definitive tooth appears.
It has a skeletal function; it modifies the growth pattern of the jaws.
Its objective is to treat a dental malposition or habit that is occurring and can still be corrected or change its evolution. It is applied between 6 - 11 years of age.
Crossbites, overbite, narrow palate, functional problems (atypical swallowing, mouth breathers), bad habits (digital suction, tongue habit) can be corrected in time with functional appliances that will prevent the problem from evolving and affecting craniofacial growth.
Its objective is to return the morphological, functional, and aesthetic normality with the placement of brackets or braces. It is applied when the orthodontic problem or malocclusion is already established and has caused an orofacial alteration.
It is applied in adults, youth or adolescents, the ideal age to use corrective orthodontics in children is 11-13 years, at that age all the tooth replacement has occurred and there is a growth peak that makes it the ideal age for treatment.
When we speak of functional appliances, we refer to a variety of removable appliances designed to correct the position of the various muscle groups that influence the function and position of the jaw to increase its length). The effects of these appliances are tilting of the teeth and changes in the bone that supports the teeth.
These are appliances that the patient can take off and put on, but when they are placed, they are firmly attached to the teeth. These appliances apply controlled pressures on the teeth to be moved through the action of active mechanical elements, such as springs, arch wires, screws, etc. These forces are entirely artificial or mechanical and act directly on the teeth. There are two types, hawley’s style with wire and acrylic, as well as plastic splints or aligners.
It is an orthodontics formed by the combination of brackets, metallic or ceramic elements glued to the teeth and metal arches. Fixed braces have the capacity to individually move each tooth in any direction, which is not the case with other braces.
These braces are recommended in cases where there is tooth malposition, rotated teeth, to close spaces, and all kinds of movements at the same time.
The brackets can be visible, like the metallic ones, or esthetic like the ceramic ones that are translucent or transparent and stick to the outer surface of the teeth taking their color. They can be placed on the external or internal side of the tooth (lingual orthodontics).