Orthodontics
is a combination of two greek words: orthos, meaning 'to
correct,' and odontos, which means 'tooth.'
Orthodontics can not only improve your smile and appearance,
it can also make you healthier. If you have crooked teeth,
the main reason you should get braces is for your dental
health. Crowded, overlapping teeth trap food, making it
difficult to brush and floss properly. Teeth are more
subject to cavities and crooked teeth can also lead to gum
disease and tooth loss. In some cases, speech may even be
affected. Children with severe overbites have a greater
chance of fracturing their front teeth. Straight teeth and a
correct bite can help you keep your teeth healthy for a
lifetime.
Orthodontic treatment is the use of devices to move teeth or
adjust underlying bone. The type of device used depends on
the problems that have to be corrected. To realign and
reposition teeth, your orthodontist uses corrective devices
called "appliances".
The most common devices used to straighten teeth and jaws
are braces and retainers but there are many more types for
specialized use. Appliances exert gentle pressure on a tooth
or group of teeth and move them to a corrected position. The
teeth are then held in their new position until the jawbone
has time to adjust. The most common problems Dr. Ackerman
can help you with include teeth that are crooked, crowded,
too far apart, or stick out. Procedures like palate
expansion can also be accomplished in children with
appliances. He can also help correct a jaw that protrudes or
recedes.
Kids can have fun wearing colored, or even glow-in-the-dark
braces. Orthodontic procedures may be done at any time in
your life, from as young as five or six up to sixty or
seventy. It's never too late to have a healthy and beautiful
smile.
