A majority of the general population would have thought about changing the appearance of their teeth or getting orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives. But what actually is an orthodontic treatment? Going by the literal meaning, orthodontics is derived from the Greek words ‘orthos’ and ‘dontics’ which means correct or straight teeth. There can be multiple reasons for getting orthodontic treatment. The most common being esthetics, which means beauty or appearance. Other reasons include abnormal facial symmetry, speech difficulty, and deranged occlusion leading to impaired chewing and biting. If not corrected, it can cause further dental problems such as tooth wear and cavities. Orthodontic treatment corrects the positioning of your teeth to create an improved harmonious appearance and bite, preventing long-term dental problems. Why Does Malocclusion Happen? It might seem unfair, but malocclusion can happen due to a number of factors. The common reasons are abnormal discrepancies in jaw growth, missing teeth, cleft lip, and cleft palate. Various habits like tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and thumb sucking can lead to considerable malalignment. In addition, genetics also comes into play for malocclusion. How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work? Orthodontic treatment involves the use of specific dental appliances such as braces or aligners to deliver controlled forces to the teeth. These forces will eventually cause the remodeling of surrounding bone and soft tissues to move the teeth in the intended direction. The teeth are held in body sockets by specific ligaments, which detect the constant pressure and help in the adaptation of the desired teeth position.

What Is The Best Age For Orthodontic Treatment? The ideal time for getting an orthodontic treatment ranges from 9 years to 13 years of age, when all the permanent teeth have erupted. A few cases might need an earlier interception, such as malocclusion caused by abnormal growth of jaws. Any person beyond this ideal window is not disbarred from getting the treatment. In fact, the good news is that you can get your teeth aligned at any age. With new research in this field, many of the limitations have now been addressed. How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Last? The duration of treatment varies with different age groups. On average, orthodontic treatment lasts for 22 to 24 months. With increasing age, the bone density increases, which makes the tooth movements difficult, and thus treatment duration is prolonged. The chances of complications also increase with age. The most common complications and side effects include mild discomfort, relapse, root resorption, jaw pain, frequent dental visits, and tooth decay. The treatment duration also varies with the type of braces used. The clear aligners involve the use of clear trays that are supposed to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day and are replaced after every two weeks. The fast braces have now considerably reduced the treatment span. What Should I Expect With Orthodontic Treatment? It is natural to be apprehensive before getting any dental treatment done. Knowing the procedure beforehand helps with the associated anxiety. Your orthodontist will do a complete dental evaluation by clinical examination and radiographs. A complete treatment plan is formulated in which the patient’s cooperation plays a vital role. The preferred treatment plan largely depends on your functional and esthetic treatment goals. After finalizing the plan, the brackets will be glued to your teeth by using a bonding material. The wire of a specific dimension is then placed using elastic rings to exert the required pressure. You can select the color of your rings and the type of brackets used. Ceramic brackets are tooth-colored but are slightly expensive relative to traditional metal brackets. Your orthodontist will schedule your visits to assess your progress. The wires will also be changed accordingly. What Treatment Options Do I Have? Advancements in dentistry have solved a lot of concerns regarding orthodontic treatment. With the advent of clear aligners and ceramic tooth-colored braces, the associated aesthetic issues have been resolved to an extent. Apart from the conventional braces, which have metal brackets being placed on the outer surface of the teeth, the lingual braces are now also being used, which are placed on the inner surface of teeth and are not visible. You must now be wondering why the traditional braces are still in use despite the obvious aesthetic disadvantage. It is because they are a preferred option for people with extensive treatment plans. The other esthetic options like clear aligners have limitations like severe malocclusion. Patient compliance plays an inevitable role in removable treatment options.

Who Cannot Get Braces? There are no absolute contraindications for orthodontic treatment, but it should be carried out cautiously in patients with gum recession. All the teeth should be stable enough to be moved by orthodontic forces. Another relative contraindication includes poor oral hygiene habits. Why Does Relapse Occur? An orthodontic treatment relapse refers to undesired tooth movements after completion of the treatment. This usually happens due to non-satisfactory patient compliance. The patients are provided with retainers after the primary orthodontic treatment to prevent unwanted movements until the teeth are stabilized. The inability to wear the retainers can lead to relapse. This issue can, however, be addressed by using a fixed retainer. A relapse can also occur due to incomplete treatment, lack of periodic monitoring, and miscalculated malocclusions. How Much Does The Treatment Cost? The cost of orthodontic treatment is undeniably an important factor. It actually depends on the severity of malocclusion, the type of treatment selected, and the duration of treatment. However, with various payment plans, insurances, and benefits, it has become more affordable than ever. So what are you waiting for? Just remember that it’s never too late to move your teeth and enjoy that ideal and carefree smile.