How orthodontics fixes misaligned teeth and contributes to overall health

Properly aligned teeth are not only pleasing to the eye; they also help the teeth chew food efficiently. The teeth, facial muscles and jaw joints work together efficiently to crush food particles into smaller pieces, an important step in the digestion of food.



Sometimes, however, the teeth are misaligned and/or overcrowded, so it’s harder to chew the food. These problems, lumped under the dental term "malocclusion," are corrected through the use of orthodontics.



Orthodontics is the special branch of dentistry that specialises in the detection, prevention and treatment of malocclusion, also called "bad bites." Orthodontics helps bring the teeth and jaws into proper alignment by combining art and science, or aesthetic and function. Orthodontics treatment helps bring about a healthy, properly aligned teeth, and an overall smile that is radiant and beautiful.



Ideally, when the jaw is closed, the top and bottom teeth must fit together properly. In patients with malocclussion, the top teeth may jut forward, overlapping onto the bottom teeth (overbite), OR the lower teeth may overlap the upper teeth (underbite). It is the job of an orthodontist, or the dentist who specialises in orthodontics, to correct these bite abnormalities.



Malocclusion sufferers may experience throbbing headaches, neckaches, ear aches, pain the facial muscles and jaw, ringing in the ears (tinnitus). They may also experience dizziness and pain behind the eyes. Severe malocclusion problems may result in speech problems.



Those who have misaligned teeth forfeit their chance of flaunting what could otherwise be their best asset--their smile. The smile is usually the first thing other people notice when looking at your face. A smile showing a crooked, overcrowded set of teeth distracts from your looks and may make you feel self-conscious. What’s more, overcrowding of teeth also makes them harder to clean, so there is an increased risk of plaque and tartar buildup. Individuals with misaligned teeth are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss.



Orthodontics treats malocclusion problems and improves smiles through the use of contraptions such as braces or retainers. Orthodontic contraptions straighten the teeth and jaws, and eliminate gaps between the teeth. The braces and retainers are worn over a period of months to a year. In the case of teeth overcrowding, the orthodontist may extract one or more teeth. If there are missing teeth, dental implants or bridges may be used.



Orthodontics especially requires proper dental hygiene like thorough brushing of the teeth as food particles may get trapped in the braces. Clear aligners like Invisalign may be of particular benefit to those who may feel self-conscious of having to wear traditional metallic dental braces.



Located at Greenslopes and Corinda is Tony Weir Orthodontics offering procedures in Metal Braces, Clear Braces, Lingual Braces and Invisalign. For more information visit Invisalign Braces Brisbane