Who are orthodontists?
Orthodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth and jaws. They are essential in helping patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles, improving oral health and overall quality of life.
Orthodontists use various tools and techniques to address dental issues like crooked or crowded teeth, bite problems, and jaw issues. Braces are perhaps the most well-known orthodontic treatment. They consist of metal brackets attached to the teeth, connected by wires, and gradually adjusted to apply pressure to the teeth, slowly moving them into the desired position. Braces can correct dental issues, including crowded or spaced-out teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Invisalign is another popular orthodontic treatment option. A series of clear plastic aligners are custom-fitted to the patient's teeth which help gradually shift the teeth into the desired position. Invisalign is a common alternative for adults and teenagers who prefer a more discreet treatment. Orthodontists may also use headgear, expanders, or bite plates to address specific dental issues. Retainers are often used after braces or Invisalign treatment to help maintain the position of the teeth.
Orthodontic treatment can considerably affect patients' oral health by enhancing the teeth's functionality and narrowing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontic treatments broadly vary among individuals belonging to different age groups.
We will discuss the differences between orthodontic treatment for children and adults individually to help you understand why and how the diagnoses vary.
Education and training of orthodontists
Orthodontists receive specialized education and medical training equipping them with the knowledge and skills to address complex orthodontic issues. To become an orthodontist, one must complete a bachelor's degree, typically in a science-related field. After completing undergraduate studies, aspiring orthodontists must attend four years of dental school. It covers the fundamentals of dental care, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and dental procedures. Following dental school, orthodontists must complete a postgraduate orthodontics residency program. These programs typically take two to three years and provide specialized training in diagnosing and treating orthodontic issues.
During an orthodontic residency program, students learn about the science of tooth movement and the mechanics of orthodontic tools such as braces and Invisalign. They also work closely under the supervision of experienced orthodontists to develop the skills necessary to provide high-quality care to patients.
After completing their residency program, orthodontists must pass a rigorous certification exam to become licensed orthodontists.
What is children's orthodontics?
While not all kids need orthodontic care, one must monitor their dental health early to catch any possible dental issues. Generally, the earlier a problem is recognized, the less invasive the treatment is required. One should keep an eye on their child's jaw and tooth development when they are about seven years old because most kids do not see their first permanent teeth (first molars) until they are six.
An orthodontist can direct the jaw growth and permanent teeth in early treatment, preventing or minimizing further misalignment or damage. Orthodontists can help youngsters grow up with confident, healthy smiles using standard braces, spacers, lingual braces, and other treatment aids. Every child's diagnosis will be different; however, for children aged 6 to 9 years, an orthodontist near you may recommend Phase 1 orthodontics.
What does orthodontics phase 1 involve?
The orthodontist performs Phase 1 treatment when the child's infant teeth erupt or are in the mouth. This procedure is more like preventative care that helps the orthodontist suspect a problem early on. Around seven, a child's baby teeth often fall out, which is the ideal time to begin phase 1 orthodontic treatment. This process enables the orthodontist to analyze the child's jaw and teeth to estimate how each tooth will develop. Such early treatments lower the likelihood of crowded teeth, often resulting in crooked teeth.
What is the purpose of phase 1 for a child?
You are not alone if your orthodontic appointment leaves you with numerous questions. Many parents wonder why the orthodontist recommends Phase 1 treatment for their child. An orthodontist may recommend Phase 1 therapy for the following reasons:
- Teeth crowding (a condition in which the teeth are tightly packed together)
- Baby teeth that are still in place obstruct the emergence of adult teeth
- Teeth that are misaligned or have gaps between them
- Crooked teeth
- Jaws that are out of proportion
What happens during treatment in phase 1?
Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is an early intervention to prevent major orthodontic disorders. In some circumstances, the orthodontist must provide urgent treatment once the child reaches Phase 2, which involves bracing placement. If the orthodontist determines that immediate treatment is needed, he will propose a treatment that will assist the teeth in erupting normally.
During Phase 1, orthodontists stretch the top arch of teeth by using palatal expanders in the mouth. This allows each tooth to emerge in its area. Your child's prognosis and the orthodontist's advice will determine the therapy during Phase 1. At first look, orthodontics may appear intricate and frightening, but this process can get easy with the right resources and assistance.
Let us now take a look at orthodontics treatment for adults.
What is adult orthodontics?
Adult orthodontic treatment can improve the oral health and look of many individuals who required braces as children but didn't get them. Adults may have the same issues as children if dental problems are unresolved. After years of the improper tooth and jaw alignment, these problems can cause considerable damage to teeth, gums, and jaws. Some health risks brought on by untreated orthodontic issues include the following:
- Earaches and headaches
- Jaw or facial pain
- Problems with "oral" communication (chewing, speaking, or biting)
- Improper tooth cleaning causes gum disease and tooth decay
- Uneven or severe tooth enamel wear
Contrary to common belief, adult patients routinely have orthodontic care to align or straighten their teeth. The sole difference between adult patients' orthodontic therapy and children's is that adult patients' jaws are no longer growing. If an adult's jaws are seriously out of alignment, surgery can be necessary to fix the issue altogether.
Benefits of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontics extends its benefits to nearly everyone, although the level of necessity for treatment may vary. While many individuals seek orthodontic care to enhance their smile aesthetically, the advantages go beyond cosmetics. Orthodontics plays a crucial role in improving chewing function and overall oral health.
Common orthodontic issues:
- Overbite: A condition where upper teeth extend beyond the lower ones.
- Underbite: A condition where lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth.
- Overlapping Teeth
- Crowded Teeth
- Crooked Teeth
- Rotated Teeth
- Impacted Teeth: A condition where partially or wholly enclosed in the jawbone.
Who Should Avoid Orthodontic Treatment?
Individuals should not have severe dental problems like extensive decay or gum disease to qualify for orthodontic treatment. Applying braces to compromised teeth can have a detrimental impact on oral health. If cavities or gum disease are present, seeking treatment from a dentist is advisable. After managing these conditions, consult with your dentist to determine the suitability of orthodontic treatment for your case.
Examples of orthodontic treatment
Various orthodontic devices can be employed to either shift teeth or maintain their position. These encompass:
- Fixed braces – Small brackets affixed to the front or back of each tooth with a wire connected to them. The continuous gentle pressure exerted by the wire gradually repositions the teeth.
- Clear aligners – Also called 'invisible braces,' are clear, custom-molded plastic pieces that fit over the teeth, gradually adjusting their alignment. Although clear aligners typically require 20–22 hours of daily wear, they can be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning.
- Elastics – Small rubber bands stretched between upper and lower braces to provide additional force for moving teeth.
- Plate – A plastic device positioned in the mouth that utilizes wires and springs to shift or stabilize teeth. Unlike fixed braces, a dentist can take a plate out.
- Surgery – In severe cases, surgery helps to extract impacted teeth or facilitate their eruption. It can also address jaw issues or enhance the overall outcome of orthodontic treatment.
Finding the best orthodontist near you in Denver, Colorado
Are you looking to improve the way you smile? Do you want to examine the dental health of your children? Or is it a case of bite correction? Choosing an orthodontist near you for yourself or your kids is a crucial decision. Like any other service, you want to be sure you're paying for the best treatment at an affordable cost.
To help you out, Zocdoc offers a list of the best doctors in every state. You can filter the best doctors based on your preferences, like dental condition, location, date, and insurance plan. Make an appointment with an orthodontist in Denver who accepts your insurance with Zocdoc's real-time availability search. You can also use Zocdoc's insurance checker to identify your plan if unsure. Based on that information, you'll see a list of specialists who match your search parameters and their open appointment slots. You can filter your results on Zocdoc based on gender and other criteria. Zocdoc covers whether you need a patient review, a video visit, or availability after hours, on weekends, or on holidays.
All the bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Orthodontic statistics in Colorado
Statistics show that 70% of Americans are missing one or more teeth. Due to a lack of stimulation from the missing tooth, alveolar bone loss can also occur. You could lose around 25% of your bone mass in the first year following tooth loss. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that there were 10,658 orthodontists in the United States in 2017. This equals 3.27 orthodontists per 100,000 people. Since 2001, 15% more orthodontists have been in practice, including in Colorado. Children in Colorado with access to regular dental care make up 86.4%. In the preceding year, children eligible for early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment got preventive dental treatment in 45% of cases.
As per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in 2011–2012, 44.9% of third-graders had at least one permanent molar sealed, a substantial rise compared to 2003-2004. Although more women are joining the field, around 72% of all orthodontists currently practice are men.
Sources
Moles & Ferri Orthodontic Specialists
Willow Glen Dental Specialists
WebMD
Align Technology
Houston Chronicle
Colgate
American Association of Orthodontists
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Cleveland Clinic
BetterHealth Channel
