Download Orthodontic Treatment Malocclusion is treated with a variety of

Orthodontic Treatment
Malocclusion is treated with a variety of methods or treatment plans:
Preventive orthodontics: Procedures taken to preserve the integrity of a normal
developing occlusion by protecting current conditions that would interfere with
growth, such as correction of caries, elimination of abnormal habits, or placing of
space maintainers in areas of missing teeth.
Interceptive orthodontics: Procedures taken to lessen the severity of any existing
malfunctions from genetic or environmental factors. There are various kinds of
appliances to correct improper growth patterns, appliances for correct abnormal
habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, nail biting, and mouth breathing. It is
usually the treatments in mixed dentition.
Corrective orthodontics: Procedures taken to reduce or eliminate malocclusion such
as crowding, spacing, cross bite, open bite, deep bite, protrusion of incisors and
malalignment of the teeth. It is usually an advance treatment in permanent-teeth
stage.
Orthodontic treatment procedures
Taking a patient record:
- Clinical examination and interview
- Take an impression for study model
- X-ray Panoramic and Lateral cephalometric films
- Taking extra- and intra- oral photos
Treatment plans
All records collected are used for diagnosis and treatment plans. Some patients need
not only orthodontic treatment but also involve with other dental specialties such as
surgery, prosthodontic for denture, implant, periodontics for gum treatment.
Treatments
There are two main kinds of the appliances.
1. Fixed braces:
The conventional braces used are metal braces. Some patients who concern
more esthetics of braces, ceramic (tooth color) will be the choice. Nowadays, the
innovative of braces are developed to help smoother, faster and more comfortable
tooth movement. This kind of speed braces called self-ligating braces (world-wide
brand is Damon) use sliding-door technology. It allows the teeth to slide on the wire
with friction less and less binding helping to reduce treatment time and numbers of
adjustments also.
2. Removable appliances
Invisalign: It is a system of computer-generated clear strong plastic (polyurethane)
custom trays used in mild malocclusion cases. The orthodontist takes patient records
and sends it to the Align lab, which prepares a CT scan and a 3D model for the
fabrication of trays. Then, these trays are returned to the orthodontist. Trays are
changed every 2 weeks, for approximately 12 to 24 months, making adjustment until
the teeth are in position, and then maintained until stabilized. The patient may remove
them for eating, drinking, and tooth brushing but must wear them for 20 to 22 hours
per day.
There are some specialized removable appliances for example;
Nightguard: removable plastic splint worn at night to lessen the harmful effects of
patient’s grinding of teeth (bruxism).
Mouth guard: removable custom-made plastic tooth covering piece worn as
protection from trauma while engaged in sport activities.
Oral shield: device that fits into the vestibule space between the teeth and the lips;
helps to train and maintain lip function by correcting mouth-breathing habits.
Nowadays, we are concern not only teeth in normal occlusion but also soft tissue
surrounding the teeth such as lips and check.
Beyond the proper occlusion, after orthodontic treatment the patients should get a
beautiful young smile following “Smile Arch Concept”