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What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the area of dentistry which deals with
the treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth
and jaws. It is interlinked with facial beauty, as
the position of the teeth in their related jaws has
a direct bearing in the development of the facial
profile.
Facial beauty is a combination of qualities such as
shape, proportion, balance, harmony, and colour. Dentists
can enhance facial beauty by controlling and changing
the structure of individual teeth, groups of teeth,
the position of the lips in relation to the teeth,
the position of the upper and lower jaw and chin, and
functional habits( thumb sucking) and oral posture.
Early intervention to adjust childhood teeth and jaw
position can significantly enhance facial beauty in
later life.
In our clinic we practice early interceptive orthodontics
(Orthopaedic orthodontics). All of our child patients
are screened for any developmental problems and are
offered early interceptive(orthopaedic) treatment. What is Early Interceptive (orthopaedic) Treatment?
Orthopaedic Treatment treats young patients at the
time that problems are recognised, and aims to make
room for teeth to fit the jaws , resulting in broader
beautiful smiles.
Traditional orthodontics treats later, with more
extractions of teeth, resulting in narrower smiles.
Because the difference in the eventual smile can
be seen, patients and parents are increasingly demanding
interceptive treatment.
The basic fact is that since most patient’s
who need orthodontic treatment have crowded or protruding
teeth, either you start early to make room for teeth,
or you accept that later you may only have one option
but to have teeth removed.
How does Early Interceptive(orthopaedic) Treatment
work?
After careful examination, further clinical records
are taken which include impressions of the jaws for
study models, full face and intra-oral photo’s
and profile skull X rays. This information is forwarded
to our laboratories diagnostic centre where highly
trained technicians make tracings of key anatomical
points. This information is processed through a computer
program and this analysis provides a simulation of
the results of growth combined with interceptive
treatment. This information is used to design corrective
appliances which will influence growth of the jaws
in a positive direction and facilitate the alignment
of the teeth.
Adult Orthodontics
Increasingly we are providing more and more cosmetic
treatment for our adult patients. This may involve
repositioning teeth purely with braces or in combination
with other cosmetic procedures (crowns, veneers ,implants)
Adult orthodontics is a more demanding specialty
as consideration needs to be given to the social
and business demands of adult life and treatment
needs to be designed to accommodate these demands.
The braces used for adult orthodontics have been
designed with these demands in mind with combination
of clear invisible removable braces (www.invisalign.com)
and fixed appliances utilising tooth coloured brackets.
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