About Orthodontics

These teeth attachments may seem like old technology but they have evolved to become smaller and more effective int he way they re-shape the teeth to attain the best possible alignment. From old obtrusive ones, they have evolved into smaller and have even been made smarter with the use of space age wires and metals that have properties not available to previous dentists. Memory metals, tough ceramics and better understanding of the processes and forces involved as a treatment progresses has resulted in better and shorter treatment times. The problems that result from such treatments (gaps in teeth and above the gum line are now easily fixable with veneers that makes teeth look similar in size and shape as if they were the real thing. Even the arena of nano-technology has had an impact on the orthodontics arena with better adhesives and materials that mimic real bone enough to fool the body it was part of natural bone.

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Current orthodontics rely heavily on advanced imaging technology that allows the proper planning of treatment way before the dentist touches the patient’s gums. The field of orthodontics is concerned mainly with the correction of dental as well as facial abnormalities. The face is composed by compact bones including the jaw which for many reasons such as inherited traits, due to some illnesses that can impact the formation of bones during the early years of life or due to trauma which can leave a peron disfigured for life. Orthodontics has the ability to correct these facial defects to allow normal life but previous protocol made it more an art and depended heavily on a dentist’s ability. Imaging technology such as current cone beam 3-D Dental imaging systems allows historic documentation as well as planning that allows the selection of the best proper steps to take to correct a defect in the jaw. There are even systems that compares the current scan to a database of thousands of case studies giving comparative results as well as recommendations for treatment steps to take. This revolution in imaging technology can only be dreamed of a few years back and it is allowing the restoration of jaws and smiles to their full potential.

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The value of dental exams is quite accepted but repetitive exposure to dental x-rays has been getting a bad rap in terms of risks. New technologies such as DIAGNOdent have revolutionized the diagnosis phase of the treatment with the use of a laser and sensor to check for the density of the tooth enamel. Using light eliminates the radiation exposure and it is also faster with the display readout showing immediate results. The density of the enamel is quite predictable and based on a fixed set of parameters, The system uses the laser to check if the density of the enamel has degraded or can still be corrected with some filling thus making treatment faster and less painful.

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Instant orthodontics as the processes are called and they have made the world a brighter one indeed with more smiles flashing around. They have huge advantages over traditional treatments in the sense that they usually involve less pain. Most people are dissuaded form getting dental treatments due to dental phobias which though psychological are quite common and debilitating. Eliminating the pain makes it more attractive to most adults who don’t mind the extra price as long as it takes less pricks and after effects. They also have no need for those ugly retainers but don’t get your hopes up, their ability to offer improvement must meet specific criteria. Problems that stem from the jaw itself may need surgery to adjust the bone itself and misaligned bites also need lengthy treatments.

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After the utter failure of dental implants that used screw in technology, the new trend for dental implants is to have them coated with a high-tech Nano material that mimics bone allowing faster and more effective osseointegration. Traditional implants were either micro-etched or surfaced with etching solutions to give them a surface that the bone would have chances of growing into. The problem, the material (usually titanium) which is used for dental implants is inert so it is not rejected but also seen as part of the body so bone does not effectively attach itself to the implant. Recent studies have shown that there was a minute gap where the implant meets the bone that has an effect on the overall stability of the implant. Micro coating the implant with materials that are similar to bone in micro structure allows better osseointegration thus making the implant stronger.

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Crowns are also mainly made of ceramic materials but if several teeth are involved, bridges are used to correct the problem. Bridges are merely several crowns joined into one unit that is fastened to two opposing teeth that would serve as anchors. Sadly, bridges require the two nearest teeth to get root canals to prevent problems from arising later should they decay. For people who are not favorable to having healthy teeth trimmed down and in effect killed off through a root canal, there are always dental implants made of exotic metals that are inert to the human body that allows the restoration of smiles that have been lost.

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Children are much easier to convince regarding traditional orthodontics techniques but as stated, it can be years before the treatment attains the full effect. Adults on the other hand react differently to traditional treatments fearing ridicule and the torment of the procedure. More adults would prefer cosmetics procedures when they can for they involve less discomfort and disruption of their daily life. Veneers are thin ceramic coatings that are bonded to a tooth after it is surfaced by etching to give the adhesive something to hold on to. The adhesives used by dentists and orthodontists are some of the most high-tech resins in the world that may harden into materials that are tougher that the tooth itself.

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Traditional orthodontics procedures took months or even years to attain their full effect and it usually needs constant monitoring for any recurrence of the corrected problems. Instant orthodontics relies on new technologies that has made ceramic veneers, bonding, bridges, invisible braces, ceramic braces and crowns to achieve the best results in as little as a few days to a month. Dentists refer people with malocclusions to seek consultations with orthodontists to correct the problem as early as possible. Children often favor orthodontics when they visit the orthodontist because they argue that they are acting in the best interest of their children.

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