Teeth - orthodontic

Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaw alignment problems. Badly aligned teeth can lead to a variety of difficulties, including tooth decay and damage to the jaw joints. Self-confidence can also be affected by an unattractive smile consisting of crooked or overlapping teeth. Orthodontists use a range of corrective devices, such as braces and plates, to encourage the teeth to align properly. Generally, problems can be detected by the age of nine and treated by the start of the teen years - once the permanent adult teeth have replaced baby teeth. Early intervention and treatment is preferred, since the process is usually quicker and easier. Orthodontic treatment is available to adults, but the teeth and jaw may take longer to align. This is because the facial bones of an adult have stopped growing and are no longer as malleable. A 'bad bite' (malocclusion) may need some type of jaw surgery, as well as corrective devices.

Problems caused by 'bad bite'
Crooked, crowded and overlapping teeth can cause a wide range of problems, including:

• Tooth decay and gum disease - misaligned teeth are hard to clean, particularly if they overlap. A build-up of plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
• Injury to the gum - instead of meeting with its partner in the opposing jaw, a misaligned tooth may sink into the nearby gum and cause repeated injury.
• Wear and tear - the teeth of the upper and lower jaw are designed to fit neatly together. If they are misaligned, the action of chewing may grind the teeth unevenly.
• Jaw injury - the jaw joint is called the temporo-mandibular joint. A bad bite may place stress and strain on this joint; this can cause localised pain, headaches and (sometimes) unusual clicking or grinding noises when the jaw opens and closes.
• Speech impediments - many sounds are made with the tongue against or near the teeth. Misaligned teeth or jaws can interfere with speech. For instance, a person with a particular type of bad bite may pronounce 's' and 'z' sounds like 'th'.
• Self-confidence - a person with a bad bite may feel self-conscious and be reluctant to smile.

• Photographs
• X-rays of the mouth
• Plaster impressions of the upper and lower jaws.

• Braces - tiny brackets are 'cemented' to the front of each tooth, and stainless steel wires are threaded through. The gentle and consistent pressure of the braces slowly moves and correctly repositions the teeth. The braces generally need to be adjusted by the orthodontist every month or two. Braces can be stainless steel, gold, silver, coloured or clear. In some cases, the braces can be fitted to the backs of the teeth where they can't be seen.
• Headgear - if the teeth need extra pressure, headgear and bands may be worn. Basically, tensioned rubber bands are hooked to the braces and connected to a strap worn around the head, usually at night.
• Rubber bands - bands may be used on their own, looped from one tooth to another to exert additional force.

• Dental hygiene problems - braces and wires make cleaning the teeth more difficult. This can cause decay, discolouration and permanent marks.
• Soft tissue injury - the braces may dig into the gums or cheeks.
• Relapse - the corrected teeth may misalign themselves again, once the braces are removed. The eruption of wisdom teeth sometime in the late teens or early 20s can also cause a relapse.

• Your dentist or doctor
• Orthodontist
• Australian Society of Orthodontists Tel. (02) 9331 6920

• Misaligned teeth can cause a variety of problems, including decay and gum disease, damage to jaw joints and speech difficulties.
• Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaw alignment problems.
• The range of corrective devices includes braces, rubber bands and headgear.

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