"Dental Specialties: Orthodontics"

Good morning my beloved great steemians across the globe, hope you're all living a healthy life style, because health is wealth, so try all your possible best to take good care of your health. I'm here to participate in this educative contest being organized by our dear admin @helengutier2, I say a big thank you ma'am for bringing up such a unique topic for us to learn on.

Without much ado, let me quickly go into the hints question;

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Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that helps to straighten and fix teeth that are overcrowded, crooked or don't fit together properly, to make you smile well and also help you chew and speak well and it also prevents potential problem with your jaw and teeth making it work correctly.

Orthodontics is also a branch of dentistry that helps with diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities. It helps correct jaw alignment issues, or aesthetic concerns that affect oral function, overall appearance, and self-confidence.

It is necessary to use orthodontics:

• When your teeth are crooked
• When your teeth are too close together
• When your teeth don't line up right, and it's causing problems with eating and speaking
• When you don't like how your smile looks.

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No, I don't have any issues with crowded or crooked teeth, so I don't need braces. However, it's always a good idea to visit a dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings and possibly know from your dentist if you need them or not.

Below is the photo of my full teeth👇

My complete set of teeth

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The main components of orthodontic appliances are below, though these components may vary depending on the specific type of orthodontic appliance and treatment plan.

• Brackets: Small metal or ceramic attachments bonded to the teeth.

• Bands: Metal rings that fit around the molars to provide additional support.

• Wires (Archwires): Thin, flexible wires that connect the brackets and apply forces to the teeth.

• Ligatures: Small elastic or metal ties that hold the wires in place.

• Elastics (Rubber Bands): Used to apply additional forces to the teeth or jaws.

• Hooks: Small metal attachments on the brackets or bands that hold elastics or other accessories.

• Ties: Small metal or elastic attachments that connect the wires to the brackets.

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These are the simple steps of orthodontics:

1. Initial Consultation
   You visit an orthodontist to talk about your teeth and what you want to change.

2. Examine and Diagnosis
   The orthodontist looks at your teeth, jaws, and face to figure out if there's a crooked teeth or a bad bite.

3. Records and Impressions
   The orthodontist takes photos, X-rays, and molds of your teeth. This will helps them in creating a plan to fix your teeth.

4. Appliance Installation
   The orthodontist puts in your braces, aligners, or other appliances, which is the start of your treatment.

5. Regular Adjustments
   You will visit the orthodontist regularly, every 4-6 weeks. They adjust your appliances to keep your teeth moving in the right direction.

6. Removal of Appliances
   When your treatment is done, the orthodontist removes your appliances. You get to see your new, improved smile!

7. Retention
   To keep your teeth from moving back, you will wear a retainer. This is usually a removable appliance that you wear at night to sleep.

If you're concerned about the alignment of your teeth or have questions about orthodontic treatment, don't hesitate to consult an orthodontist. They can assess your individual needs and provide personalized guidance to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile and a lifetime of confident.