FAQ:

When Does One Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Irregularly placed teeth.
Forwardly placed upper or lower teeth.
Upper jaw placed too far ahead of the lower jaw.
Lower jaw placed ahead of the upper jaw.
Any habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting mouth breathing, nail or lip biting which can lead to a mal relation in teeth.
Contracted or narrow upper or lower jaws.
Crowding of upper or lower teeth.
Lack of or failure of eruption of primary or permanent teeth.
Early loss of primary teeth.
Joint pain around the ear due to faulty bite.

Any orthodontic problem should be dealt with as early as possible.
Generally all orthodontic treatments are started as soon as it is noticed.
Some types of mal occlusions are better dealt with when all permanent teeth have erupted.
A qualified orthodontist is the best judge for deciding when to treat a particular malocclusion.
Thus it is mandatory that parents consult an orthodontist if they notice a mal occlusion in their children.

Removable orthodontic appliance:
Are those appliances which can be removed by the patients and worn back .
Fixed orthodontic appliances:
Are those appliances which are fixed to the teeth and can be removed or adjusted by the doctor only. Fixed appliances are of different types and are made of different materials.
According to the material used they can be of.
- Metallic.
- Ceramic.

They are those appliances which are fixed on to the teeth from the tongue side.
These appliances are non visible and are used when esthetics are of prime concern.

Orthodontic treatment is a lengthy procedure as teeth are actually being moved in the bone.
Duration depends upon the type of problem,it can range from 6mnths to 2yrs.Again the age of the patient is important,the younger the age the faster the tooth movement.

Pressure more than pain is felt when the appliance is activated.
With any foreign body there is a little discomfort, once the patient is used to the appliance there is no pain or discomfort.