Types and Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Ivan Rodriguez Gelfenstein
3 min readMay 4, 2022

An orthodontist is a specialist in dental and facial anomalies. They employ braces and aligners to straighten teeth, repair incorrect jaw structure, and improve your smile’s appearance and function.

Orthodontists are dentists who have completed additional years of study. To become an orthodontist, one must first complete a bachelor’s degree program before enrolling in dentistry school to get a DDS or DMD. After graduating from dentistry school, they spend two to three years in an orthodontic program, where they study how to treat patients for problems with tooth and jaw alignment. They are then qualified as orthodontic specialists.

Dentists usually promote excellent oral hygiene and treat gum disease, infected teeth, and tooth decay, among other issues. Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in tooth alignment, treating overbites or underbites, gaps between teeth, crowded teeth, and misaligned teeth.

To fix alignment issues, they might use a variety of tools. Braces are the most common method of treatment. These appliances are made of bands that are placed around the teeth. To attach the bands to the brackets, the orthodontist wires them together. The structures work together to reposition the teeth, gradually straightening them. While it may take some time, the results can be striking.

An orthodontist may use an aligner if braces are not a possibility. Invisalign is the best-known example. Its design makes it invisible from afar, enhancing your smile. There are no metal wires or brackets in an aligner. Patients like that they can easily be removed as required.

If a child has an overbite or underbite, headgear or face masks are usually used to help their teeth grow into proper alignment. The orthodontist will also create the headgear or facemask that connects to the braces. This structure will aid in the alignment of the teeth and jawbone. An orthodontist can help your child achieve the perfect smile, and the sooner they begin treatment, the better the results will be.

Misaligned teeth are more prone to injury. Because of this, even a little damage or force may cause them to chip or crack. When your teeth are correctly aligned, they are less likely to be chipped or injured.

Cleaning teeth that are out of place may be much more difficult. You may not even be able to clean all of the hard-to-reach areas using dental floss. Trapped food particles may promote plaque accumulation and tooth decay. Teeth that are properly aligned are significantly simpler to clean and maintain.

If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, you may be self-conscious about smiling or laughing in public. A nice looking and healthy smile may boost your self-esteem, and orthodontic treatment can help you achieve that. You will find yourself smiling more often and feeling more upbeat and outgoing.

Orthodontic issues may also impact chewing and speaking. To keep from biting the inside of your mouth, you may have to adjust your jaw motion, resulting in additional stress on your jaw, resulting in your muscles and joints of your jaw being forced to move into unnatural positions. Relaxation of your jaw may only be possible after orthodontic treatment.

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are critical to the long-term maintenance of excellent oral health. Therefore, patients should continue to visit their dentist for these services throughout their orthodontic treatment.

Dentists and orthodontists will always work together to acquire the best outcomes for you and your children. An orthodontist does not need a dentist’s recommendation. However, it is a good idea first to see your family dentist for a checkup and ask for a referral to a professional orthodontist with whom they work.

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Ivan Rodriguez Gelfenstein

Dr. Ivan Rodriguez Gelfenstein served as an orthodontist for more than two decades.