What type of work does an orthodontist do and how is it different from the work done by an ordinary dentist? When will you go to a dentist and when should you preferably visit a Phoenix orthodontist?
The word Orthodontics comes from the Greek word for tooth, which is “odons” and Greek for straight, which is “orthos”. It is a therefore a branch of dentistry that deals with the study and correction of improper bites. The problem might be caused by teeth that are irregular or jaws that are not aligned properly.
The situation can hence be dealt with in two ways: By focusing on the teeth that are crooked, or by surgery to re-align the jaws to correct the improper bite. The branch of orthodontics dealing with this type of surgery is called dentofacial orthopedics.
People can visit orthodontists for a variety of reasons. Some of them are purely cosmetic: if you can’t live with the ugliness of your crooked teeth it makes sense to have them made straight. If you have jaws that aren’t aligned properly, you have even more reason to have a trained practitioner remedy the situation by utilizing facial reconstruction surgery.
The most common method to fix the problem when the cause is crooked teeth only, it to use braces. These are metal wires made from steel or some other aesthetically more pleasing material which are used to force the teeth into the desired position over time. It’s very often used with children and they then have to wear the braces for quite some time until the problem has been corrected.
After the orthodontic procedure has been finalized and the braces can be removed, the patient usually has to wear retainers for the next 6 months to one year to make sure the teeth stay in the position they should be. Initially the retainers have to be worn 24 hours a day, but later it’s usually acceptable to wear then only at night.
Your Phoenix Orthodontist will first have to examine you to find the exact nature and cause of the problem before he or she recommends a specific course of action.
You can put white and bright back into your smile when you visit a Phoenix orthodontist. Learn more about options open to you when you want to improve your appearance by visiting http://www.dunn-orthodontics.com .