Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a very important and necessary specialty: a doctor in this field performs correction of teeth and dental arches, focusing on the correct bite.

Dentistry includes several areas. One of them is orthodontics.

Who is an orthodontist?

The emergence of orthodontics as a dental direction dates back to 400 BC. Even then, people thought about the importance of a correct bite and made attempts to align teeth and correct facial proportions. However, the real recognition of orthodontics and the improvement of the practice of eliminating dental and jaw defects occurred only in the last century. Only then was orthodontics singled out as a separate direction and the specialty of a dentist-orthodontist was determined.

A dentist of this specialization works with maxillofacial deformities and performs correction of the dental arch and individual deformed teeth.

An orthodontist must have a medical higher education in the specialty of “dentistry-orthodontics” and complete an internship course.

The specialist must be able to organize qualified dental care in his/her area, be able to classify diseases of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area, and use dental anesthesia methods if necessary. The orthodontist must have excellent knowledge of the development and eruption of teeth, the formation of the jaw system, and the structure of the maxillofacial area. He/she must understand the classification of deformations and anomalies of the development of teeth and jaws, detect and eliminate defects and disorders of the structure of the masticatory apparatus.

When should you see an orthodontist?

The reason for contacting an orthodontist may be a referral from a general dentist, or your own observation of the condition of your teeth.

Parents of small children should pay more attention to the location and condition of the child's teeth. It is easiest to correct the bite in childhood, and treatment carried out in childhood is more comfortable and faster, and the result is more stable.

Unfortunately, straight teeth are not always a guarantee of a correct bite. Consult a specialist and do not be afraid to bring your child to a preventive appointment with an orthodontist.

If you or your child have noticed a chewing disorder, abnormal tooth wear, speech defect, frequent trauma to the tongue or cheeks by teeth, or a change in the shape of the face, you are advised to consult a specialist. An incorrect bite can provoke serious health problems, such as digestive disorders, speech problems, and the formation of aesthetic defects in the facial area.

What tests should you take when visiting an orthodontist?

A visit to an orthodontist does not require any special tests or examinations. The doctor will see you simply by appointment or without it in the order of the queue.

What diagnostic methods does an orthodontist use?

In order to create an optimal treatment plan, an orthodontist must conduct a thorough diagnosis. In addition to radiography, orthodontics also uses some other diagnostic methods:

• orthopantomogram – obtaining a panoramic image of the jaw system (necessary to assess the position and condition of the tooth roots and surrounding tissues);
• teleroentgenogram – X-ray examination of the lateral projection of the skull (to determine the angle of inclination of the front row of upper and lower teeth).

The presence of bite defects, the degree of disturbance and the expected therapeutic effects are determined by the doctor during a thorough visual examination of the oral cavity. Sometimes it may be necessary to conduct an X-ray of the dental system.

To correct the bite, specific therapy is usually carried out, which uses special orthodontic structures that ensure the correct positioning of the dental arch and individual teeth. If the bite disorder has caused abrasion or loss of a tooth, it will be recommended to use prosthetics.

Orthodontist's help may be needed at any age, although treatment of dental deformities in children is easier.

What does an orthodontist do?

The competence of an orthodontist includes:

• assessment of the condition of teeth and jaws, identification of disorders and anomalies in their formation;
• consulting patients with detected dental defects;
• conducting clinical studies to determine the quality of the patient's chewing, speech, swallowing and respiratory functions;
• visual assessment of the condition of the oral mucosa;
• determination of the presence of mobility of individual teeth;
• establishing a preliminary diagnosis according to the classification of dentoalveolar anomalies;
• taking jaw impressions and casting the corresponding model;
• analysis of x-ray images of the jaw and teeth;
• decoding the results of other dental studies;
• conducting anthropometric measurements;
• determination of central occlusion;
• drawing up a plan of orthodontic therapeutic measures;
• selective therapy of primary teeth in children;
• Conducting preventive work with parents and children regarding maintaining dental and oral health.

What diseases does an orthodontist treat?

An orthodontist corrects bite defects by eliminating the following anomalies in the formation of the dental system:

• signs of distal bite - an insufficiently developed lower jaw and an overdeveloped upper jaw (when the jaws close, the front upper row of teeth appears to be pushed forward relative to the lower row);
• signs of mesial bite - underdevelopment of the upper jaw with an overdeveloped lower jaw (accordingly, the lower front row of teeth is pushed forward relative to the upper row);
• signs of an open bite - a bite defect when some teeth (both front and side) cannot close completely;
• signs of a deep bite - a disorder in which, when the jaws converge, the upper front row of teeth overlaps the lower row by more than half;
• signs of crossbite - a bite defect characterized by an underdeveloped part of the dental row of any of the jaws;
• signs of dystopia - “falling out” of teeth from their row, displacement of teeth1 from their normal position;
• signs of diastema – the appearance of an intermediate gap between the upper (less often lower) incisors measuring 1-6 mm.

Advice from an orthodontist

It is extremely important to periodically examine the position of the teeth and dental arch, to determine the presence of symmetry of the lower and upper teeth.

The correct bite is determined by the contact of opposing teeth. If you notice that such contact is either absent or displaced in your child, this is a sign of possible problems with the bite. In addition, this indicates potential disorders of the chewing function, when the lower incisors adjoin the soft tissues, gums or palate. This situation should be corrected immediately, while the final formation of the child's dental system is not yet complete.

Often, it is possible to limit yourself to the usual prevention of bite defects if you periodically independently monitor the development of the dentition in children and promptly contact a specialist for advice.

It is also necessary to carry out preventive measures to reduce the risk of periodontal diseases, which can provoke tooth deformation. Among the main methods of prevention, the following can be distinguished:

• limiting consumption of sweets;
• regular and proper brushing of teeth;
• consumption of hard varieties of vegetables or fruits, especially those containing sufficient zinc, ascorbic and folic acid;
• eliminating from the menu foods that are too hot or too cold, especially those consumed in contrasting ways;
• consumption of foods rich in calcium, in particular, fermented milk and dairy products.

Perfect and even natural teeth are quite rare. Many people suffer from crooked or protruding teeth, which spoil the aesthetics of their appearance and can interfere with speech and chewing processes. The way out of this situation is a consultation with a qualified specialist. An orthodontist will assess the condition of your teeth and will definitely take effective measures to improve the dental arrangement and create a beautiful and high-quality bite.