What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the specialty branch of dentistry that involves moving teeth, whether using clear or metal brackets, functional appliances, or clear retainer-type trays. While orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry, it is under the realm of general dentistry (just as are surgery and root canals).
Who can Orthodontics manage?
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- crowded teeth
- spaces between teeth (diastemas)
- rotated teeth (although this is harder to do and has greater chance to relapse)
- unlevel bite
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Can Adults have Orthodontics too?
Many patients ask, is age a factor in orthodontics? Aren’t braces for kids?? The truth is, you’re never too old to wear braces! The most senior patient we have had in orthodontics began in his mid-80’s, after biting his lip with crowded lower teeth for the umpteenth time.
Since adults are no longer growing, there are limitations to what orthodontics can accomplish alone. Many of the cases you will see in adult orthodontics will also involve bite adjustments (also called equilibration), veneers for closing spaces around thinned enamel, or crowns and onlays for stabilizing the bite when enamel has been lost to years of tooth grinding.