Orthodontia is the branch of cosmetic dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections. Braces are a common method of changing your appearance. Today, even adults are requesting braces. Braces are usually placed by an orthodontist. Dr.Prashant Dhole, M.D.S. (Orthodontia) is our Orthodontist. When teeth are poorly positioned, they can look bad and they are also more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease and dental decay. A poor bite can also stress your jaw joints (TMJs) or your muscles and can cause pain. Both fixed and removable orthodontic appliances are available to correct the position of your teeth.

Who Needs Orthodontic Treatment?

Children as well as adults, are choosing to have orthodontic treatment for several reasons:
-malocclusion (bite or occlusion is off)
-tooth malalignment (crooked teeth)
-unhappy with appearance of teeth

During the preteen and teenage years, the jaws are growing and maturing, therefore it is easier to shift teeth at this stage rather than later on in adulthood. More adults are choosing to have orthodontic treatment in order to improve the appearance of their teeth. Since their jaws are no longer growing, treatment may take a little longer.

Causes of Malocclusion

Hereditary - for example, you may inherit your mother's small jaw, and your father's large teeth; if this is the case, your teeth would be too large to fit your jaw.
Trauma - if you lose a tooth due to an accident, then teeth may start to drift into the empty space.
Disease - you can lose a tooth early due to cavities or gum disease; this often leaves a space which other teeth drift towards.
Malnutrition - nutritional deficiencies can alter the growth of the jaws and teeth.
Habits - like lip-biting(below) & thumb-sucking can shift the teeth out of alignment.

How To Take Care Of Your Braces

Braces collect food and dental plaque very easily. If proper oral hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment both tooth decay and periodontal disease can easily occur.

It is very important to maintain a daily plaque control program. Such a program may be as follows:

A soft toothbrush should be used. A special orthodontic toothbrush can also be used to brush your teeth.

Flossing with braces takes more time than usual. Superfloss or floss threaders can aid in flossing, and make it more time efficient. An interdental brush can be used to fit between the wire and the tooth to remove hard-to-reach plaque and food debris.