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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.

+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.

Orthodontic Dentistry - Now Adult Braces Are Available!

One of the genuine rewards of the new orthodontics dentistry is the adult patient who is willing to wear braces, do the "home" work, and who is excited by the prospect of having straighter teeth and a more perfect bite. As they say in baseball, it's a whole new ball game.

Thanks to the new orthodontic dentistry materials available today, we can offer visible or invisible braces -- adult braces made with space-age metals, braces glued to the back of the teeth. But that's just the "office" part.

Some orthodontic dentists would even argue that the most critical aspect of orthodontic dentistry treatment is how patients do their "home" work. Braces need constant cleaning. There's a rigid retainer schedule to follow. Certain foods must be avoided. It's a challenge. But once committed, adult patients understand what needs to be done and are willing to do it to get what they want from adult braces. They've made the investment in time and money. So they're willing to make the sacrifices (no caramels!) to get the results.

If Mother Nature let you down and your mom couldn't afford orthodontia, call us. It's never too late to get the perfect smile with adult braces and orthodontic dentistry!

+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.