Orthodontics

Orthodontic Services include:
Orthodontic treatment of children, adolescents and adults
Ceramic, sapphire, and conventional metal orthodontic braces
Clear path clear aligners
Lingual braces (braces behind the teeth)
Self-ligating braces
Interdisciplinary dentofacial treatment planning

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. The word comes from the Greek words ortho meaning straight and odontos meaning tooth.

All aspects of orthodontics are practiced here including adult orthodontics and invisible braces.

Orthodontics is a specialty of Dentistry that helps in

• Straightening of crooked and irregularly placed teeth using metallic or tooth colored braces
• Assuring that milk teeth to fall off on time and guiding and helping the permanent teeth to take their proper positions
• Correction of improper growth of upper and lower jaws if present by using special appliances that can alter and correct the jaw growth in growing children
• Controlling of harmful mouth related habits such has prolonged thumb sucking, nail biting or tongue thrusting and correction of any dental problems caused by such habits.

You may need Orthodontic treatment If

• You feel that you have teeth that are crowded or irregularly placed
• There are gaps present between your teeth
• You feel that you do not have a pleasing smile
• You feel that your jaws are very prominent or there is excessive growth or undergrowth
• You have persistent habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
• You feel that you have increased fullness around upper and lower lips ( forwardly placed teeth )

When you report for the orthodontic appointment, the first thing that would be done would be to have a detailed discussion with you regarding what exactly is the concern.

Then a thorough clinical examination would be performed by Dr. Chintan Agrawal and his team of specialists and it would then be decided whether orthodontic treatment is required for you or not. If treatment is required the most probable line of treatment would be discussed along with all the treatment options.

The immediate next thing would be to take your records before the start of the treatment. These records include photographs, duplication of teeth ( impressions ) and X-rays ( Radiographs). After these records are taken and studied in detail the actual treatment procedure would be started according to the requirement.

The duration depends on the type of treatment being done. It usually varies from 14 months to 20 months, though it may sometimes take lesser and sometimes more, again depending on the type of treatment required. You would be required to visit the clinic approximately once a month for your appointments for the entire duration of the treatment.

The AAO recommends that all patients be seen for an orthodontic examination by age 7. Early evaluation determines the appropriate time to begin treatment. Many severe problems can be improved or prevented by the use of growth modification therapy. This involves prescribed appliances that guide the proper growth of the bone and teeth. In this way, early treatment may eliminate problems that could necessitate surgical orthodontics after growth cessation.

Yes absolutely! Orthodontic treatment can be performed irrespective of the age. More and more grownups today seek Orthodontic treatment and are treated successfully. It is an extremely common misconception that adults cannot be treated Orthodontically and their crooked teeth cannot be straightened!

Most adults get orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of your smile is part of taking care of yourself. A beautiful smile is achievable orthodontically in most of the people irrespective of their age!

Many factors can affect the length of treatment such as a severity of the original problem(s), a patient's individual response to treatment, and cooperation by the patient. Patients may be surprised to hear that age is not a major factor in determining treatment time. Although minor tooth movement may be resolved in a year or less, complex cases may need two or more years for completion.