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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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Orthodontics and Tooth Braces: You and Your Smile Are Worth It!

Our jaws do more than chew, grind and tear our food. They also help us swallow and enable us to experience normal speech. And, they contribute to our basic oral health. But most of us take our jaws for granted.

Orthodontics dentists know that when jaws meet correctly and teeth are configured properly, it's called occlusion. When things don't fit, that's malocclusion. About two million Americans suffer from malocclusion. Tooth braces can help improve the effects of malocclusion and other orthodontic problems.

For 20% of us, jaw problems are a handicap. For 5% of us, malocclusion can be considered a physical and mental hardship. Tooth braces and orthodontics make it possible to eat, breathe, and communicate normally.

Tooth braces can literally affect the quality of life in the most fundamental ways and give you the smile you have always wanted.

+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.