Orthodontics Melbourne: All That You Should Know
- Written by News Co
Orthodontics, a branch of dentistry that deals with the rectification of the dental appearance and bite patterns, is becoming increasingly popular. Many times, orthodontics is paired with cosmetic dentistry to give a person their dream smile. The dental practitioners specialising in orthodontics can help you get rid of numerous dental problems.
If you are completely new to the world or concept of orthodontics, let’s look at an example that can help you understand it better. “Did you see any of your classmates wearing braces on their teeth during your school and college days?”. We guess that your answer is ‘Yes’ as almost everyone has at least classmate who wears braces. These braces are nothing but an orthodontic treatment.
However, it’s worth mentioning here that braces are worn by not just children but also adults. Over time, various types of braces have been developed for providing the maximum comfort to the patients. Metal braces, ceramic (clear) braces, lingual aligners, and Invisalign braces are some examples. Invisalign braces, which are also known as Invisalign transparent braces, are the latest type of braces.
As a lot of people are unaware of the orthodontics, we have mentioned some points regarding the same in this blog post. Please continue reading further…
What Exactly is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry dedicated to improving the appearance of their teeth, gums, and smile. Orthodontics Melbourne, straighten the teeth, correct the bite pattern, and modify facial growth. They diagnose and treat the teeth and gums that have abnormal alignment. Orthodontists acquire the required education and training before starting their practice.
In addition to the four years of bachelor’s degree in dental studies, orthodontists have to complete a dedicated orthodontic program which takes two or more years. They employ their knowledge for making the teeth of a patient pleasant-looking.
Which are Orthodontic Treatments?
Misaligned or misshapen teeth and jaws are more common than you can think. A large number of people in different parts of the world have incorrectly positioned teeth and gums. People even suffer from issues, like overbite, underbite, crossbite, reverse bite, open bite, spacing, crowding, and misplaced midline.A wide range of orthodontic treatments is available for resolving the aforementioned issues.
Orthodontic treatments involve the use of appliances, which can be divided into two categories – 1) Fixed orthodontic appliances and 2) Removable orthodontic appliances. Braces and fixed space maintainers are some of the fixed appliances. Along with them, special fixed appliances are also available.
Aligners, removable space maintainers, lip and cheek bumpers, headgear, splints, and palatal expanders are some of the removable appliances. Both fixed and removable orthodontic appliances are useful for moving teeth and retraining muscles so that the dental issues get eliminated completely.
How to Approach an Orthodontist?
Whenever you visit a dentist for seeking solutions to your dental problems, they will decide whether you need orthodontic treatment or not. If they suggest you to visit an orthodontist, you can ask them whether they can refer any orthodontist to you.
Orthodontists usually work at an orthodontics facility or a multi-specialty dental facility. Upon visiting the office of an orthodontist, they will assess your dental health and appearance. They will also consider your dental history and overall medical history. Depending on the problem that you are facing, they conduct different examinations or tests. They might even take an X-ray.
Why Orthodontic Treatments are Necessary?
The condition, in which the teeth and jaws are positioned incorrectly, is known as malocclusion. This condition occurs due to varied reasons, such as injuries and thumb-sucking habit. The patients suffering from malocclusion have an improper bite, which affects their dental functionality.
As a result, they might face difficulty in eating, talking, and even cleaning their teeth. Moreover, their facial structure grows to be less-than-perfect. In such circumstances, the patients feel embarrassed about their teeth. They avoid staying for a long time in public. Over time, their self-esteem and confidence get reduced drastically.
Therefore, receiving orthodontic treatments is a must for patients. The orthodontist selects the right treatment option for the patient by taking into account various factors, including but not limited to, age, dental history, and medical history of a patient, type and severity of the problem, and time and cost involved. After the treatment duration gets completed, the patient will achieve better dental aesthetics and a healthier mouth.
Conclusion
As a branch of dentistry, orthodontics has become important, as it enables people to live a fuller life. In the majority of the cases, patients of malocclusion are children, as improper alignment and bite pattern get discovered in the early stages of a child’s growth by their parents. However, it does not mean that adults don’t receive orthodontist treatments. If you feel that you can get benefitted from orthodontics, you should not delay in forging ahead.
