The Dentists New Zealand (NZ) | Orthodontics // Cosmetic Dentistry.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontic treatment is the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Such irregularities often take the form of ‘malocclusion’ (ill fitting teeth) and facial constrictions, like poor jaw formation.

These problems affect a lot more than just appearance.

Crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth are more difficult to clean.
Misaligned teeth can create tension and pain in the jaw joints.
Emotional problems arise because of the effect on speech and the unattractive appearance can lead to self esteem problems.
Protruding teeth are more likely to be injured.
Poorly formed jaws can lead poor sleep patterns leading to symptoms very much like ADD.
Poorly forming jaws can lead to an increase in middle ear infection in children.

What is the cause?

It is multifactorial.

Malocclusion and poor jaw formation is largely hereditary, caused by discrepancies in the size of the jaw and teeth. But there is increasing evidence stating that environmental factors are the cause as well, e.g. poor diets, pollution, fast paced life style, weaning the child to early off the breast. It is also the result of such habits as mouth-breathing, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and lip biting, or premature loss of teeth.

What do I do about this?

The first step in orthodontic treatment is a consultation with one of our dentists. This half hour appointment will give you an idea of the type of treatment required and the approximate fees.

The next appointment involves a full examination of the teeth. This may include facial measurements, photographs, plaster study models, and digital radiographs (x-rays) of the head, jaws and teeth. We may find additional mouth problems, such as dental decay or gum disease. These should be treated before orthodontic treatment begins.

The dentist will then need time to put together a plan for you. This will be present to you in a final no charge appointment. Every aspect of the plan will be discussed, so you can be sure to make an informed decision about your teeth.

What’s involved in the treatment?

Depending on the type of malocclusion you may have there will be different treatments prescribed for you.

Types of treatment are discussed, so you can be sure to make an informed decision about your teeth.

Types of treatment are

Fixed braces: the latest passive self-ligating system is used. It is called the Damon system. The braces are a lot smaller than your conventional braces and have porcelain in them to improve their appearance. They also cut down your treatment time. An average treatment time is now 1 year.
Removable appliances. These are plates that come in and out. There are usually specialized for certain problems with your teeth.
Combination of the two.
Invisible braces like Invisilign and lingual braces that makes your treatment virtually undetectable.
Myofunctional treatment - alternative to braces.

How does my child or I know whether we need orthodontics?

The best way for you to determine this is to look at
your smile or your child's smile in a mirror.

Teeth that are crowded or overlapped.

Top front teeth that stick out (‘bucked teeth’).

Large gaps between teeth.

Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of your bottom teeth when you bite together?
A visible space between the top and bottom teeth when you bite together.
Bottom teeth that are in front of the top teeth?

Baby teeth falling out very early or very late.

Extra teeth present?
Top and bottom front teeth, which the centre’s that, don’t line up?
Problems with biting the cheek, gums or tongue?

Teeth that are wearing unevenly.

Difficulty chewing or biting with teeth that don't meet evenly on both sides.
Jaws that shift off centre when the teeth bite together.

Or:

Are you embarrassed by your smile?
Do you often hide your smile or laugh with your hands?
Would you like straighter teeth?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you or your child is likely to need an assessment for orthodontics.

What age can orthodontics be carried out?

With the latest braces that are now developed we can treat you at any age!
Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest growing fields in dentistry.

The best time for assessment however is from 5 years old, as from here an assessment of the facial structures can be carried out to see if your child’s face is growing correctly, and if needed simple intervention can be made (myofunctional treatment), that makes the likely hood of future major problems or treatment less.

The following links give you more information on the technologies for orthodontic treatment that are used in our clinics:

www.damonbraces.com
www.hiddenbraces.com
www.orthocad.com
www.invisalign.com
www.myoresearch.com

	What is orthodontics? Orthodontic treatment is the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Such irregularities often take the form of ‘malocclusion’ (ill fitting teeth) and facial constrictions, like poor jaw formation. These problems affect a lot more than just appearance. Crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth are more difficult to clean. Misaligned teeth can create tension and pain in the jaw joints. Emotional problems arise because of the effect on speech and the unattractive appearance can lead to self esteem problems. Protruding teeth are more likely to be injured. Poorly formed jaws can lead poor sleep patterns leading to symptoms very much like ADD. Poorly forming jaws can lead to an increase in middle ear infection in children. What is the cause? It is multifactorial. Malocclusion and poor jaw formation is largely hereditary, caused by discrepancies in the size of the jaw and teeth. But there is increasing evidence stating that environmental factors are the cause as well, e.g. poor diets, pollution, fast paced life style, weaning the child to early off the breast. It is also the result of such habits as mouth-breathing, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and lip biting, or premature loss of teeth. What do I do about this? The first step in orthodontic treatment is a consultation with one of our dentists. This half hour appointment will give you an idea of the type of treatment required and the approximate fees. The next appointment involves a full examination of the teeth. This may include facial measurements, photographs, plaster study models, and digital radiographs (x-rays) of the head, jaws and teeth. We may find additional mouth problems, such as dental decay or gum disease. These should be treated before orthodontic treatment begins. The dentist will then need time to put together a plan for you. This will be present to you in a final no charge appointment. Every aspect of the plan will be discussed, so you can be sure to make an informed decision about your teeth. What’s involved in the treatment? Depending on the type of malocclusion you may have there will be different treatments prescribed for you. Types of treatment are discussed, so you can be sure to make an informed decision about your teeth. Types of treatment are Fixed braces: the latest passive self-ligating system is used. It is called the Damon system. The braces are a lot smaller than your conventional braces and have porcelain in them to improve their appearance. They also cut down your treatment time. An average treatment time is now 1 year. Removable appliances. These are plates that come in and out. There are usually specialized for certain problems with your teeth. Combination of the two. Invisible braces like Invisilign and lingual braces that makes your treatment virtually undetectable. Myofunctional treatment - alternative to braces. How does my child or I know whether we need orthodontics? The best way for you to determine this is to look at your smile or your child's smile in a mirror. Teeth that are crowded or overlapped. Top front teeth that stick out (‘bucked teeth’). Large gaps between teeth. Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of your bottom teeth when you bite together? A visible space between the top and bottom teeth when you bite together. Bottom teeth that are in front of the top teeth? Baby teeth falling out very early or very late. Extra teeth present? Top and bottom front teeth, which the centre’s that, don’t line up? Problems with biting the cheek, gums or tongue? Teeth that are wearing unevenly. Difficulty chewing or biting with teeth that don't meet evenly on both sides. Jaws that shift off centre when the teeth bite together. Or: Are you embarrassed by your smile? Do you often hide your smile or laugh with your hands? Would you like straighter teeth? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you or your child is likely to need an assessment for orthodontics. What age can orthodontics be carried out? With the latest braces that are now developed we can treat you at any age! Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest growing fields in dentistry. The best time for assessment however is from 5 years old, as from here an assessment of the facial structures can be carried out to see if your child’s face is growing correctly, and if needed simple intervention can be made (myofunctional treatment), that makes the likely hood of future major problems or treatment less. The following links give you more information on the technologies for orthodontic treatment that are used in our clinics: www.damonbraces.com www.hiddenbraces.com www.orthocad.com www.invisalign.com www.myoresearch.com