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Orthodontics

Orthodontics (orthos - straight, correct, perfect, odous - tooth) is the first dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity and/or disproportionate jaw relationships. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. In the latter case it is better defined as dentofacial orthopedics.

Orthodontic treatment can be carried out for purely aesthetic reasons, in order to improve the overall appearance of the patient's teeth. However, there are orthodontists who prefer to work on the reconstruction of the whole face, rather than focusing only on the teeth.

In the treatment of irregularities of jaws and teeth in Dr. Djordjevic’s dental office we use fixed and mobile devices that produce a slight force applied to natural placed teeth for a better desired position. Thereby by improving the overall health of your teeth you get more beautiful, natural smile.

Modern orthodontics

The use of digital models in orthodontics is increasing as more industry converts analogical to digital archives. The University of Minnesota, USA, has recently developed a three-dimensional dental model for computer simulation of the treatment, which can be used to reduce the investment of human resources in planning orthodontic treatment. This software tool can automaticaly segmentate a tooth from another, as well as gums. Digital labs are currently used by many orthodontic specialists, but they can be very expensive. This software provides an efficient and economical method for completing the process of segmentation.

Methods of orthodontics

For all orthodontic treatments, usually a metal wire is inserted into orthodontic braces made of stainless steel or ceramic. Wires affect the holders, and vice versa, so that the teeth are rigged to the desired position.

Additional components—including removable appliances ("plates"), headgear, expansion appliances, and many other devices—may also be used to move teeth and jaw bones. Functional appliances, for example, are used in growing patients (age 5 to 14) with the aim of modifying the jaw dimensions and relationship if these are altered. This therapy, termed Dentofacial Orthopedics, is frequently followed by fixed multibracket therapy to align the teeth and refine the occlusion.

Orthodontia is the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the treatment of improper bites and crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment can help fix the patient's teeth and set them in the right place. Orthodontists usually use braces and clear aligners to set the patient's teeth.Orthodontists work on reconstructing the entire face rather than focusing only on teeth. After a course of active orthodontic treatment, patients will typically wear retainers (orthodontic devices), which help to maintain the teeth in their improved positions while surrounding bone reforms around them. The retainers are generally worn full-time for a period, anywhere from just a few days to a year, then part-time (typically, nightly during sleep) for as long as the orthodontist recommends. It is possible for the teeth to stay aligned without regular retainer wear.

However, there are many reasons teeth will crowd as a person ages, whether or not the individual ever experienced orthodontic treatment; thus there is no guarantee that teeth will stay aligned without retention. For this reason, many orthodontists prescribe night-time or part-time retainer wear for many years after orthodontic treatment (potentially for life). Adult orthodontic patients are more likely to need lifetime retention.