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Orthodontic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is orthodontic dentistry?

A. Orthodontic Dentistry or Orthodontics is described by the American Association of Orthodontics as the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Q. What is an orthodontist?

A. An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone specialized orthodontic training to diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities in patients.

Within the U.S., orthodontists are required to complete a two- to three-year advanced residency program in orthodontics following the completion of their four-year graduate dental program. Each of these programs must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Q. What causes orthodontic problems?

A. Most problems are inherited, including tooth size and jaw size. These orthodontic problems may lead to crowding of teeth or spacing of teeth.

Overbites, underbites, extra or missing teeth, and irregularities of the jaws, teeth and face also are inherited.

Other orthodontic problems can be caused by accidents, pacifier or thumb sucking, dental disease, or the premature loss of either the primary or permanent teeth.

Q. What habits contribute to "bad bites"?

A. A number of childhood habits can lead to orthodontic problems, such as thumb or finger sucking, sucking on a pacifier, sucking on a lip, mouth breathing (often caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids), fingernail biting, and "tongue thrust."

Q. When should a child's screening with an orthodontic dentist be scheduled?

A. The orthodontic dentist will advise the parent as to when to schedule an evaluation. It generally will be when the child is between the ages of seven and ten.

An early consultation is advised to identify any potential problems that require treatment. Delaying treatment can multiply some orthodontic problems.

Between the ages of 8 and 12, jaws are still growing; after that, the jawbones begin to harden and it may be more difficult to correct certain conditions.

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New Orthodontic Appliance Can Correct Overbite

Eleven-year-old Janet had a severe overbite and she was serious about improving her smile. "Her overbite was so obvious, I just knew something was wrong. I was afraid she would have problems with her mouth when she got older," recalled Janet's mother.

Most people think an overbite is caused when the upper teeth stick out. Actually, most overbite problems result from a short lower jaw. With modern techniques and a willing child, an orthodontist can help the short lower jaw grow in to line with the upper teeth. In the past the only solution to Janet's problem was headgear that would pull the upper teeth back to match the lower jaw. But Janet's new smile was shaped in just nine months without traditional braces or headgear.

She was one of a growing number of patients able to benefit from a device designed in Europe called a Bionator. Unlike traditional braces, the plastic and wire device is removable, but only for cleaning and eating. Patients must learn to wear it for more than 20 hours a day.

Orthodontic attention while a child is young can often straighten out crooked teeth before they have a chance to get worse. By redirecting the growth of the jaw, orthodontics can often enhance features in the middle and lower parts of the face. Results can be quite striking. In Janet's case, she became more enthusiastic and outgoing as her smile and self-image improved.

Other types of braces that are available today are invisible braces, clear braces, ceramic braces, and a procedure known as Invisalign® .

When children become aware of themselves and those around them, one of the first things they notice is the face. And nicknames like "Fang and "Buck Beaver" can leave a permanent mark on childhood memories. Unfortunately, children can be brutally cruel to each other because they are brutally honest. Correcting an overbite by controlling the source of the problem, jaw growth, orthodontics can help children face growing up with zeal and self confidence.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.