Associates in Orthodontics: General Info

What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis , prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Corrective appliances such as braces are applied and controlled to bring the teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment to achieve healthy, functional bites and facial balance.

What causes dental and facial problems?
Malocclusions (when opposing teeth of the upper and lower jaws fit together improperly) are both inherited and acquired. Crowded teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, and general mouth and jaw features are examples of inherited problems. Acquired or local factors such as thumb or finger habits, tongue thrusting, airway constriction, decay or gum disease, trauma, and premature loss of baby teeth also contribute to poor tooth alignment and bad bites.

Why is orthodontic treatment important?
Crooked, crowded teeth are difficult to clean and maintain. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. A bite that does not function well may cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, stress gum tissue and supporting bone, and even misalignment of the jaw's joints. When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. They can lead to costly dental care in later years which is often greater than the cost of orthodontics today.

Your smile is one of the most important features of your face. An attractive smile is a vital asset to one's self-confidence and self-esteem. By aligning teeth and improving the harmony of the lips and face, orthodontics can improve one's general attitude toward life.

What are some commonly used orthodontic appliances?

Maxillary Expansion Appliance (MEA/Expander)
This fixed appliance is used to widen the upper jaw, correcting a crossbite, creating more room for crowded teeth, and improving the width of the smile. For more info and printable instructions on expander click on:

Maxillary Expansion Appliance (PDF format)

Biteplane (also called a Biteplate)
This removable appliance has thick acrylic towards the front of the mouth. The lower front teeth hit the acrylic when biting, preventing complete closure and thus keeping the bite open. It is sometimes used with deep overbites without any braces. More often it is used when we add lower braces when the bite is still deep. The biteplane prevents the patient from biting off the lower braces and helps to open the bite. It is worn 24 hours per day except eating, brushing, and sports unless told otherwise.

How do braces work?
In order to move teeth safely and with the minimum amount of discomfort, a gentle continuous pressure must be applied to the teeth over an extended period of time. To accomplish this, braces (generally consisting of brackets and wired) are attached to produce a slight force on each tooth. The braces are affixed to the teeth with an adhesive that is strong, yet soft enough to allow removal of the braces without damage to the teeth. During orthodontic treatment, regular adjustments are made to maintain the directional pressure necessary for proper tooth movement.

Click on the names in the picture for a brief description of the various components of braces.

Parts of Braces

Archwire: This is the main wire that connects all the braces together on the outside of the teeth. It provides force to move the teeth and acts as a guide or track along which the teeth move. Arch wires are changed numereous times during the course of orthodontic treatment.

O Ring: These little rings, also called A-lastics, are used to attach the arch wire to the brackets. These rings come in standard gray or clear, but also come in a wide variety of colors to make braces more fun. A-lastics are changed at every appointment to maintain good attachment of the arch wire to the bracket, enabling our patients to enjoy many different color schemes throughout treatment.

Hook: These are small, blunt attachments to the brackets that allow the patient to wear elastics from the top to the bottom teeth.

Bracket: These are small stainless steel devices that are bonded (glued) to the teeth. They provide a strong attachment to the tooth which allows the forces of the arch wire to be transmitted to the teeth.

Elastics: These are rubber bands which are often used in orthodontic treatment. They provide added pressure to help move the teeth and jaws into better alignment. the patient wears elastics as indicated, usually removing them for eating and brushing.

Kinds of braces.

Braces with silver elastics	Braces with colored elastics
Ceramic braces with blue elastics