Have you ever needed braces? Maybe some sort of head masks with rubber bands to help fix your overbite. Chances are, like most humans, if you grew up going to the dentist you probably had to have your fair share of metal and bands in your mouth. Essentially, things like braces are simply countermeasures to your growing bones. When puberty hits, just like a child, the bones in the mouth grow and shift. The jaw matures, and the muscles holding the mouth realign vastly. There is simply no telling how your teeth may grow but an orthodontist can help ensure they end up perfect. In today’s blog post, Marquette Dentistry will highlight the role that Orthodontists play within the dentist office.

History Of The Orthodontist

For more than 2000 years the history of orthodontics has been closely associated with dentistry. As part of medicine, dentistry has been a relevant aspect of society since the dawn of time and orthodontics was almost inseparable. Archaeologists have even recorded discoveries of mummified Egyptian elders with metal strips wrapped around their teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, this is a perfect example of early orthodontics.

Malocclusion is the main problem that they have dealt with and odds are it won’t be an issue they can permanent erase anytime soon. After all, it is not an illness, but rather an abnormal alignment of teeth or the jaw. Some people have mouths that won’t fit both the top and the bottom teeth. The variance though is overwhelming, it could be any sort of abnormality that makes the appearance or functionality of the teeth unsavory. However, a study recently has shown that using orthodontic treatments for cases that classify malocclusions as serious amounts to almost 30% of people. There are huge benefits that anyone can reap from an orthodontist, with new people growing new teeth all the time — the job is never done.

What Kind Of Treatments Can An Orthodontist Perform?

To be brief, their specialty is in reshaping, mending, and fixing the structure of your mouth, teeth, and jaw. They have gifted many people with a shiny straight set of teeth and it can truly change lives.  The most popular treatment that an orthodontist can perform is by applying braces. There are many different kinds of braces that a person could receive. It all depends on the nature of their condition, the severity of the malocclusions, and the budget you operate with. If there is a big issue with the placement of your teeth, the orthodontist could actually have to remove one of the teeth to add space in your mouth. Some of these procedures can be costly but don’t worry, there are plenty of finance options available.

As for a basic explanation, you can get braces for straightening teeth, fixing your bite or simply looking more aesthetic. Your orthodontist then decides whether to put braces on the top or the bottom teeth — or both. Typically they stay on for 6 months to a year, and each time you visit the dentist, your orthodontist will check up on you. They will decide whether your braces need to be tightened, to continue shifting the teeth, or loosened to reduce pressure. It’s all an exact science to get your teeth looking just right.