ORTHODONTICS

Able to set things straight

Like all areas of health care dentistry too has it’s own unique discipline. Orthodontics is one unique discipline of dentistry, which diagnoses, prevents and treats problems with the alignment of the teeth and jaws. The technical term is called malocclusion, which means bad bite.

Through the design and use of corrective appliances – such as braces, aligners, plates, headgear and functional appliances – orthodontics treatment is prescribed to bring the teeth and jaws into their optimal alignment.

Some of the problems orthodontics corrects includes; crowded and protruding teeth, under, deep and cross bite, impacted teeth, spaces between teeth, as well as many others.

Orthodontic treatment to correct bite and jaw problems also helps with your overall health. Straight teeth are easier to clean, helping you maintain good oral hygiene, plus a straight smile can improve your appearance and give your confidence a boost.

The team at Glebe Dental Group are highly experienced in the field of orthodontics and can diagnose and develop a treatment solution plan for you or your child.

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses solely on fixing the jaw and any teeth that aren’t properly aligned. This could be anything from crooked teeth to an overbite or gaps between teeth. Many people who receive orthodontic treatment get braces, but there are other procedures that can help correct issues, as well.

Orthodontics, Glebe, Sydney | Glebe Dental Group

Who gets orthodontic treatments?

When it comes to braces, the majority of people who get them are in their teens, aged from 10-14 when the head and mouth are still developing, as this makes it easier to make changes. However, more and more adults are getting braces too. People of any age can get braces, just as people of any age can have other orthodontic work done.

What does orthodontics treat, specifically?

One of the most common issues is simply that of crooked or overlapping teeth. If left untreated, this can cause small bits of food to get lodged in between the teeth, which can rot and cause problems down the track. Similarly, many people receive treatment for tooth crowding for the same reasons.

An overbite is where the top row of teeth stick out too far forward over the bottom teeth, and an underbite is the same but in reverse.

An open bite can be annoying for the sufferer, as it is where the back teeth meet when the mouth is shut, but the front teeth do not which can result in an ‘open bite’.

A crossbite is where the top and bottom teeth don’t line up with one another, and gaps are simply small or large gaps between teeth.

Treatments for all of the above don’t just make the mouth and smile appear better for more self-confidence, they are often an important part of good oral health and problem prevention.

Orthodontics, Glebe, Sydney | Glebe Dental Group
How can you best care for your braces?

You will be instructed on the proper care of braces; it’s very important to follow those rules! In fact, proper care can even mean that the treatment will be quicker and you will have the braces removed sooner than expected.

You will need to be stringent about a good brushing and flossing routine, and your dietary decisions will also play a big part. Some foods, such as popcorn and apples, will be a little harder to eat while wearing braces, and it’s best to completely avoid high-sugar drinks. The acids and sugar in most fizzy drinks can cause discoloration on the teeth, which will be especially noticeable once your braces are removed. You will also need to avoid chewing on hard foods such as ice cubes or sweets like hard-boiled candy, as these can sometimes affect the braces or bars.

At Glebe Dental Group, we have not only general dentists, but also a specialist orthodontist.