Understanding How Orthodontic Treatments Work in Dentistry 

Orthodontics is one of those areas of dentistry that have long treatments. The results may be amazing, but, without a proper understanding of what the procedure entails, it is hard to see the realities of it.

Oral appliances used by orthodontists in Edmonton, AB are called teeth aligners. Their use is what makes orthodontic treatments succeed. However, having that you may have to wait to enjoy your results for many months, read on to understand how the treatment works.

What Is Orthodontics?

It is a dental treatment that is concerned with the re-positioning of teeth in the arcs of the mouth as well as the realignment of the jawbone. The treatment requires the use of dental appliances called teeth aligners. They are responsible for making the necessary movements of your teeth.

Technically, when your adult teeth have already fully grown, it is not easy to move them. Besides, you may not even have sufficient room in your mouth for movement to occur. This is where you need to input an orthodontist near you.

When Is Orthodontics A Good Idea?

It is not every time you need orthodontic treatment in Edmonton for your dental problems. Usually, a dental exam will establish the problem you have, and the appropriate treatment that will work for you. Some of the oral problems treated in orthodontics include:

• Crowded mouth – this happens when the teeth in your mouth seem to be too large for the space in your gums. In other cases, there are unusual teeth growths in your jaw, taking up more of the space in your jawbone.
• Spaces between teeth – on the flip side, patients can have teeth that are too far apart from each other. This could be because of the small sizes of teeth, leaving a lot of room unoccupied in your jaw.
• Shifting teeth – once you have lost a tooth or more, replacing them is not only for the sake of the appearance of your smile. Teeth also tend to shift when there is room in your mouth, which can leave your teeth malpositioned.
• Crooked teeth – sometimes your teeth are the right sizes, and there is room in your jawbone, but still, the teeth are crooked. This can cause some teeth to overlap with others.
• Improper bites – it happens in different ways so that your upper and lower Jaws do not align properly when you close your mouth. The three types of improper bites are crossbite, underbite, and overbite. They can place unnecessary pressure on your jaw, especially when you eat.

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

For any orthodontics procedure to commenced, a dental appliance is needed. Some of the commonly used teeth aligners are:

• Traditional braces
• Invisalign® braces (clear aligners)
• Fastbraces®

The initial process involves a dental exam. The exam will help the orthodontist determine which teeth aligners will best work for you. Besides, this exam will be the guide for which your dentist creates a treatment plan. The plan will dictate how long your treatment will last, as well as the anticipated results.

Afterward, the treatment commences. In some instances, teeth extractions are necessary. This is to create more room in your jaw for the rest of the teeth to sit properly. In other cases, an implant restoration may be necessary, to replace the missing tooth, and allow for proper teeth alignment.

Once you are ready for treatment, a teeth aligner will be placed in your mouth. The purpose of teeth aligners is to put pressure on your teeth, causing them to shift. The pressure has to be continuous. This is why you need to have your aligners on for a certain period every day. In fact, with traditional braces, you will have them on permanently until your treatment ends.

The pressure applied by the teeth aligners shifts your teeth gradually. Some aligners work by shifting the roots of teeth first and then the crown, while others do the opposite. For some, however, the movement occurs simultaneously for both the crowns and roots of teeth. This whole process relies on the bone regeneration process, to help support the teeth in their new position.

After a few weeks, you will need your dentist to adjust your aligners. This will make them tighter, to continue the shifting process. This routine will continue periodically based on your treatment plan until your teeth are properly aligned.

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