introduction to orthodontics

1. INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODONTICS

2. DEFINITION
 Ortho – Right
 Dons – teeth
 is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the
diagnosis, prevention and correction of
malpositioned teeth and jaws. As well as growth
assessment and correction of growth and
development of dentofacial complex.

3. BRANCHES
 Preventive – preventing of malocclusion before any
discrepancy starts to develop
 Interceptive – eliminate potential irregularities and
malocclusions in developing dentofacial complex
 Corrective – existence of a malocclusion after
growth has stopped. It is most difficult and longest
phase of orthodontics

4. AIMS OF ORTHODONTICS
 Functional efficiency – teeth and sorrounding structures
performing certain important functions should not be compromised by the
treatment.
 Structural balance -- correction of one structure should not harm
other
 Esthetic harmony – increase overall esthetic appeal of the
individual

5. SCOPE OF ORTHODONTICS
 Moving teeth
 Orthopedic changes
 Altering soft tissue envelop
 Changing profiles

8. WHAT CAN I DO (ORTHODONTIST)
 Recreate space
 Close space
 Upright teeth
 Align teeth
 Align jaws

9. WHAT CAN I DO (HYGIENIST)
 Occlussal assessment
 Patient education
 Pre orthodontic therapies
 Clinical intervention during treatrment to maintain
health
 Post orthodontic therapies
 Daily oral hygiene methods and strategies

10. ASSESSMENT
 Early or late loss of baby teeth
 Difficulty chewing or biting
 Mouth breathing
 Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits
 Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
 Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed
 Speech difficulty
 Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
 Protruding teeth
 Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
 Facial imbalance or asymmetry (features out of proportion to
the rest of the face)
 Grinding or clenching of teeth
 Inability to comfortably close lips