| Orthodontic
treatment can improve your dental health
and facial appearance for the better.
Patients often feel more self-confident
even before treatment is completed.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry
that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention
and treatment of dental and facial irregularities
(bad bite or malocclusion).
The practice of orthodontics requires
professional skill in the design, application
adn control of corrective appliances,
such as braces, to bring teeth, lips and
jaws into proper alignment and to achieve
facial balance.
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Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are
acquired. Inherited problems include crowding
of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra
or missing teeth, and a wide variety of other
irregularities of the jaws, teeht and face.
Acquired malocclusions can be caused by trauma
(accidents), thumb, finger or dummy (pacifier)
sucking, airway obstruction by tonsils and adenoids,
dental disease or premature loss of primary
(baby) or permanent teeth. Whether inherited
of acquired, many of these problems affect not
only alignment of the teeth but also facial
development and appearance as well.In general,
active treatment time with orthodontic appliances
(braces) ranges from one to three years. Interceptive,
or early treatment procedures, may take only
a few months. The actual time depends on the
growth of the patient's mouth and face, the
cooperation of the patient and the severity
of the problem.
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Orthodontic
