What Is Orthodontic Treatment
                     What Is Orthodontic Treatment?
A specialty type of dental treatment, orthodontics is most frequently associated with metal braces. Yet 
this field of specialty can involve treatment for any jaw and tooth positioning issues so the teeth can 
function most effectively. The particular way that upper and lower teeth can meet when they are in a 
biting position is recognized as an occlusion. The goal of orthodontic treatment is to get this occlusion in 
the ideal alignment. Although orthodontic treatment can take place at virtually any age, most dentists 
will prefer to see patients around the age of twelve or thirteen for ideal treatment purposes.
At this age, children will have shed their baby teeth, but they won't have yet hit a growth spurt, which 
can make the treatment work easier and more quickly. Younger patients have immature bones and 
teeth, which are easier to reposition, and they are also less inclined to have had other dental treatments
or surgeries which could get in the way of the orthodontics. However, this might be the ideal age for this
type of treatment, with today's wide range of technological options out there it's possible to move and 
realign your teeth in the optimal position no matter what your age might be.
Some examples of the types of problems that orthodontics can treat include crooked or crowded teeth, 
teeth which stick out at odd angles, overbites, under bites and a misaligned jaw. If there are spaces or 
gaps in between the teeth, these may also be corrected with orthodontic treatments
. The end goal is to acquire a straight, healthy smile that makes way for further tooth growth. If you find 
a problem with the bite, this can impact the overall health, making it more likely for teeth to get 
damaged down the line. Another benefit of receiving proper orthodontic treatment is that it can 
enhance the overall facial appearance.
If you were to think that you could benefit from orthodontics, the first step is to have a consultation 
with your dentist. Not all dentists will be trained with orthodontic dentistry procedures, so if your 
regular dentist doesn't perform these services, you will be referred to a specialist orthodontist. During 
this initial consultation, your dentist or orthodontist will look carefully at your existing bite, looking at X-
rays as well of any teeth that have yet to come in. With this information in hand, a plan can be worked 
out.
In most cases, full orthodontic treatment will last anywhere from 18 months to three years in duration. 
However, this number can vary a great deal depending on a patient's age and condition. It may be 
necessary to remove a few teeth in order to make room for the changes to come, particularly when you 
have a small mouth that is overcrowded with teeth. These are just several factors to consider before 
beginning treatment. Today's orthodontics methods are more convenient than ever before, however, as
a product of the latest dental technology.