What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry concerned with diagnosing, preventing and treating different types of malocclusion. Malocclusion means the way your teeth are line and fit, the way they are bite, and the way your jaws are line and fit.

A general dentist performs you know multiple procedures, such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, some extractions, maybe some simple orthodontics, and some cosmetic procedures. Orthodontist is also a dentist, who went through dental school like a general dentist, but then in addition to orthodontics goals. Orthodontist will throw additional two and a half to three years of full-time training just in orthodontic specialty.

Orthodontist will have basically training in how to move teeth, how to prevent different types of bites from happening, how to treat those bad aligned bites, and how to modify the jaws cross. Orthodontist basically practices orthodontics full-time. That’s all they do. They do braces, different cross modification, different bite correction every day in their practice.

What are the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment?

There is a lot of benefits for orthodontic treatment. Some of them are more psychosocial. If you’re not happy with the way you teeth look or your smile, or if your child is very self-conscious of the way the teeth look. They don’t like to smile because they’re not happy with the alignment of their teeth. It is definitely huge psychosocial benefit when you get the teeth straight and when you get a beautiful smile, boosting self-esteem and confidence.

There’s also some oral health benefits. Appropriately aligned teeth are easier to clean. It’s easier for you to brush and floss in between those teeth that are straight. Teeth are going to wear out slower than the teeth that don’t fit together well.

Also, if the teeth don’t fit together well, you might put a lot of strain on your jaws and muscles. If the bite is not correct, long term you might get some kind of jaw pain and problems. That’s a huge benefit to fixing that.