What Does an Orthodontist Do Besides Braces?

During a visit to an orthodontist, they may ask you a simple question: “What does an orthodontist do besides braces?” You may not know that there is much more to an orthodontist than just braces.

Airway orthodontics

Having a child wear braces is one thing, but what does an orthodontist do besides braces? Besides straightening teeth, the orthodontist may also treat an airway disorder, a serious health concern. Having an airway is vital for human life.

Airway orthodontics focuses on improving the airway’s ability to function. This can mean improving breathing patterns, posture, and overall health. Airway problems can be identified at an early age. This can help prevent the need for jaw surgery later on.

In addition to focusing on teeth and jaws, airway orthodontics also treat soft tissues. These are muscles and tissues that contribute to breathing problems. This includes the tongue, lips, and other mouth muscles. By realigning these muscles, airway orthodontics can prevent breathing problems.

Forsus springs

Besides braces, Forsus Springs is another orthodontic treatment that can help correct overbites. These springs push back one half of your jaw, encouraging the other half to grow forward.

They are a great alternative to traditional elastic treatments. They also help prevent jaw surgery. This appliance, consisting of a metal spring and rod system, can be used in class II and class I malocclusions.

When Forsus Springs are first placed in the mouth, they may cause discomfort. If so, it is a good idea to take over-the-counter pain relievers.

In some cases, the discomfort may last for a few days. Thankfully, it will subside over the next few weeks. You can also try using warm salt water rinses to reduce the soreness.

Mini-braces

Besides braces, an orthodontist can help you with many other dental issues. They can help you with malocclusion problems, speech difficulties, and even correcting missing teeth. Depending on your needs, you can receive orthodontic treatment at any age.

Orthodontics can also help you correct an abnormal bite. An abnormal bite can be caused by overcrowding of the teeth or a misalignment of the upper or lower jaw. Correcting an abnormal bite can reduce the wear on your teeth and improve your chewing. It can also help with headaches and earaches.

A dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist will also closely monitor your treatment to ensure it works as expected. The length of your treatment will vary depending on the problems you have. However, most people wear braces for one to three years.

Removable retainers

During your initial orthodontic treatment, you may wear your retainers less than you should. This can lead to a relapse of your treatment, which can cost you additional money to correct your smile. Here are some tips on ensuring you don’t suffer a relapse.

One of the best things about retainers is that they help keep your teeth in their new, straight positions. These devices are custom-made for each patient.

There are two main types of retainers: removable and permanent. Removable retainers are made of plastic or metal wires that fit over your teeth. They are a popular choice for orthodontic appliances. They are removable, which means they are easy to remove and clean. They also come in different colors and designs.

Accelerated orthodontics

Compared to conventional orthodontics, accelerated orthodontics is a relatively new method of achieving straight teeth. The new technology incorporates surgical, electrical, and non-surgical techniques to help shorten the overall treatment time.

Using devices such as an at-home device called AcceleDent, orthodontists can speed up the movement of teeth. The device emits micro-pulses that are transmitted to the teeth. The stimulation helps encourage the bone to repair itself.

The device is designed to work with existing bracket systems. The activater provides 0.2 N of vibration at 30 Hz for 20 minutes. This is enough to encourage the bone to heal and move the teeth.

The gadget also includes a mouthpiece the patient bites into when in use. This reduces the risk of bacteria, cavities, and infections.

Headgear

Besides braces, an Orthodontist may prescribe headgear to correct bite problems. Headgear has been used in orthodontics since the early 20th century. It uses a strap that wraps around the back of the head. This strap applies pressure to the teeth to move them into proper alignment.

Headgear is usually used to correct severe underbites and overbites. It can also help create space for future teeth. This can result in improved speech and comfort.

Headgear is often worn at night. It is important to wear it for at least eight hours a day. If you forget to wear it, your teeth may shift and cause further alignment problems.