Importance of Orthodontics in Pediatric Dentistry
With increased sensitization on dental care, you must have spotted many kids and teens within your neighborhood who have braces. It almost seems like a fancy thing that children today are enjoying. It makes you wonder whether or not you should have your child try the braces. As this remains a concern for most parents, it is important to share more information about orthodontics and why it is an important specialty in dentistry.
What is Orthodontics?
It is a specialty of dentistry concerned with the alignment of teeth. Orthodontists specialize in the realignment of teeth that are not well situated in the mouth. Many oral problems can pose orthodontics problems.
One major consideration for this treatment is the state of the jawbone. Ideally, the alignment of teeth in the mouth is not just about the teeth, but also about the jawbone. For orthodontic treatment in Radford Dental Wellness, our dental experts work with these two features of the oral cavity to cause teeth to move in the preferred position.
What Does Orthodontics Entail?
This specialty of dentistry is unique from other specialties. The treatments in orthodontics take time and patience, to yield the desired results.
An important part of the process is the use of controlled pressure. The pressure is applied to your teeth consistently over a certain period. It is this pressure that will cause your teeth to move. The whole process is based on the concept of bone regeneration, which will allow new bone tissue to generate in the new position of the teeth, for support.
A great way to comprehend the specialty of orthodontics is by understanding some facts about it. Some of the things you should expect in orthodontics in Pearland include the following:
- Oral appliances – this is compulsory if your teeth are to shift. Different oral appliances are used in orthodontics, including traditional braces, Invisalign®, Fastbraces®, retainers, space maintainers, to mention a few. All the appliances are used to space put teeth correctly, for a perfect smile.
- Treatment plan – your attending dentist in Pearland TX will come up with a treatment plan that is specifically for you. This plan will determine which oral appliance you use how frequent your dental visits will be and how long your treatment will last. Everyone gets a different plan unique to their oral needs.
- Controlled pressure – as mentioned earlier, teeth only move when pressure is exerted in them. This pressure is applied by the different oral appliances. The key to a successful treatment is ensuring that the pressure is exerted in your teeth consistently over a designated period, based on your treatment plan.
- Tooth extraction – sometimes removing a tooth or two is necessary for this treatment. The reason is that the treatment works by utilizing the available space in your jaw. Therefore, if teeth are squeezed in too close together, it is impossible to align them properly.
Who Needs Orthodontics?
This treatment has and can be performed for patients of all ages. However, as any dentist for kids near you will inform you, it is far more common for children than it is for adults.
Children can have orthodontic treatment as soon as the adult teeth start growing. Since the age for this is between 6-14 years, you will find that many beneficiaries of orthodontic treatment are teenagers and young adults.
Purpose of Orthodontics For Children
When your child has to go through orthodontics, it can leave you wondering whether or not the treatment is necessary. Sometimes, your child has the perfect teeth and yet the dentist suggests using braces. Some of the benefits of orthodontics include:
- Beautiful smile – properly aligned teeth make the prettiest smiles, whether for children or adults.
- Proper oral hygiene – children already struggle with proper oral hygiene as is. Having crooked teeth and a crowded mouth only adds to the problem. Orthodontics helps children better keep up with their oral hygiene.
- Confidence boost – your child does not always have to feel insecure because of their smile. If anything, this treatment will be the boost of confidence they need to face the world boldly.
- Effective long-term results – one of the major joys of working in children’s teeth is that the results are amazing. The reason is that kids’ mouths are still growing and developing, allowing for better results that can last longer than not.