Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is responsible for correcting the incorrectly positioned teeth and bones. The teeth in bad position and they do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, ATM and various pains in the neck, shoulders and back syndrome. In addition, the teeth crooked or improperly detract from our appearance.

Orthodontic treatments have the advantage of providing a healthy mouth, a more pleasing appearance and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.

The specialist in this field is called an orthodontist. In addition to the basic university education of four years, the orthodontist has two or more years of study in a program supported by the orthodontic specialization SEP or UNAM and the school where they study.

How do I know if I need orthodontic treatment?

Only your dentist or orthodontist can determine if you need orthodontic treatment based on diagnostic elements such as full medical and dental history, clinical examination, plaster models of your teeth, x-rays and photographs. According to the diagnosis made, your orthodontist or dentist will decide if you need orthodontic treatment and develop an appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

If you have any of the following conditions, you may need orthodontic treatment:

Overbite: The crowns of the maxillary anterior teeth almost completely cover the crowns of the lower teeth.

Underbite: The patient has an aspect of "bulldog", or the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper position themselves very backward.

Crossbite: It occurs when biting usually the upper teeth do not fall slightly ahead of the previous lower or slightly outside the lower posterior teeth.

openbite: space that occurs between the biting surfaces of the front teeth when somewhere the rest are closed.

midline shifted: Occurs when the imaginary line that divides the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the lower teeth.
Spacing: Separations or spaces between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not occupy all the space.
Crowding: When the teeth are too large to be accommodated in space provided by the jaws.

How does orthodontic treatment work?
various types of devices, fixed and removable, are used to move teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws. These devices work by applying gentle pressure on the teeth and bones. The severity of the problem deteminará what the most effective orthodontic approach.

Fixed appliances include:

Orthodontics: The most common fixtures consist of a system of bands, wires and brackets. Bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, the brackets are bonded to the front of the tooth.

Arch wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. By adjusting the wires pressure on the teeth it is exercised and gradually moving to the correct position. Orthodontics is adjusted monthly to achieve the desired results, which may take months or a couple of years. Today's braces are smaller, lighter and less metal than in the past. They come in bright colors for kids as clear styles preferred by adults.

Special fixtures: Used to control the consequences of the bad habit of thumb sucking or tongue thrusting against the teeth. These devices attach to the teeth by bands. Because they are very uncomfortable during meals, it use only recommended as a last resort.

Fixed space maintainers: If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, a retainer is used to keep the space open until the permanent tooth erupts. A band is attached to the tooth next to the empty space and a wire extends from the tooth to the other end of the space.

Removable appliances include:

Aligners: They are an alternative to traditional braces for adults, a growing number of orthodontists use serial aligners to move teeth in the same way that fixed appliances work, but without metal wires or brackets. They are virtually invisible and are removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Removable space maintainers serve the same function as fixed. They are made with an acrylic base that fits over the bone, has branches of plastic and wire extending between specific teeth to keep the space between them.

Apparatus Jaw repositioning called splints are placed on the upper and lower jaw and help train the jaw to close in a more favorable position. They can be used to correct disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Separators lips and cheeks: They are designed to keep the lips or cheeks apart teeth. Lips and cheek muscles can exert pressure on the teeth and these help relieve that pressure.

Palatal expander is used to expand the maxillary arch. It is a plastic plate that fits over the roof of the mouth. Applying, by screws, an external pressure on the force plate binding palatal bone to be longitudinally open widening the palatal area.

removable retainers: They are used on the roof of the mouth, these devices prevent shifting of the teeth to the original positions. Also, you can modify them and use to avoid the bad habit of thumb sucking.

Caps or face bow, with this device, a strap around the back of the head is placed and then connects to a wire on the front. The caps prevent the growth of maxilla, retain the back teeth in the position found while pulling back the anterior teeth.