General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Orthodontics, formerly orthodontia (from Greek orthos “straight or proper or perfect”; and odous “tooth”) is the first specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. In the latter case it is better defined as “dentofacial orthopaedics”. Orthodontic treatment can be carried out for purely aesthetic reasons with regards to improving the general appearance of patients’ teeth. However, there are orthodontists who work on reconstructing the entire face rather than focusing exclusively on teeth.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain which contributes to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite also causes abnormal wear of teeth surfaces, difficulty in chewing or speaking, excessive stress on supporting bone, gum tissue and potential jaw joint problems. Children and adults whose malocclusions (improper bites due to teeth irregularity) are left untreated may go through life with reduced self esteem and lack of confidence, affecting their performance in all spheres of life. Many problems if left untreated worsen with time and may require extensive dental care later.

A qualified Orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of facial and dental irregularities. All Orthodontists are Dentists but only a small percentage of Dentists are Orthodontists. Admission to Orthodontic specialty courses is extremely competitive and selective. It requires 3 years of rigorous and demanding training after becoming a dentist to qualify as an Orthodontist. Every dental specialist with MDS degree is not an Orthodontist, as dentistry has many areas of specialization. A qualified Orthodontist can proficiently place orthodontic appliances and achieve corrections for your teeth, jaws and face that will last a lifetime.

Most Orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these problems, which have a genetic component are crowding, spacing, protrusion of jaws and teeth, extra or missing teeth, jaw growth problems and facial deformities. Other problems are acquired. They may be because of thumb or finger sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby teeth, loss of permanent teeth due to accidents, poor nutrition or related medical problems. An inherited problem may be complicated by an acquired problem. A qualified Orthodontist will be able to treat most of the cases successfully.

In diagnosis and treatment planning, the Orthodontist must (1) recognise the various characteristics of a malocclusion or dentofacial deformity; (2) define the nature of problem, including the etiology if possible; (3) design a treatment strategy based on the specific needs and desires of the individual and (4) present the treatment strategy in such a way that the patient fully understands the ramifications of his/her decision.

Most importantly, orthodontic treatment involves the patient. To achieve desired results, the patient must follow the doctor’s instructions about wearing orthodontic appliances and practice good oral hygiene. With braces, certain food like nuts, chewing gums, chocolates and caramel, chips, hard fruits, fast foods that require biting - are off limits !!! Your Orthodontist will provide customized braces according to the problem being treated.

Braces work to move teeth and their accompanying tissues through the bone. They are capable of manipulating the growth of facial bones as well. The principle involved here is that pressure causes bone to absorb and tension causes bone to form. Orthodontic appliances are proficient in delivering precise forces at desired locate

Braces vary in appearance. Some braces are clear, nearly visible (ceramic) while others are made of stainless steel and may or may not have colored elastics around them. For adult patients, ‘INVISIBLE BRACES’ are available which are attached to the teeth from inside and hence are not visible outside.ons on the teeth and jaw bones to bring about subtle changes in a calibrated and sequential manner proven by years of scientific and clinical research.