functional expanders A typical treatment for incorrectly positioned teeth (malocclusion) takes from one to three years, with braces being adjusted every four to 10 weeks by specialists called<unk> ts, university-trained dental specialists versed in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.<unk> ts offer a wide range of treatment options to straighten crooked teeth, fix irregular bites and align the jaws correctly. There are many ways to adjust malocclusion. In growing patients there are more options to treat skeletal discrepancies, either by promoting or restricting growth using functional appliances,<unk> headgear or a reverse pull facemask. Most<unk> work begins in the early permanent dentition stage before skeletal growth is completed. If skeletal growth has completed, jaw surgery is an option. Sometimes teeth are extracted to aid the<unk> treatment (teeth are extracted in about half of all the cases, most commonly the premolars).<unk> therapy may include using fixed or removable appliances. Most<unk> therapy is delivered using appliances that are fixed in place, for example, with braces that are adhesively bonded to the teeth. Fixed appliances may provide greater mechanical control of the teeth; optimal treatment outcome is improved by using fixed appliances. Fixed appliances may be used, for example, to rotate teeth if that do not fit the arch shape of the other teeth in the mouth, to adjust multiple teeth to different places, to change tooth angle of teeth, or to change the position of a tooth's root. This treatment course is not preferred where a patient has poor oral hygiene, (as decalcification, tooth decay or other complications may result. If a patient is unmotivated (insofar as treatment takes several months and requires commitment to oral hygiene), or if malocclusions are mild. Biology of tooth movement and how advances in gene therapy and molecular biology technology may shape the future of<unk> treatment. Braces Dental braces. Braces are usually placed on the front side of the teeth, but may also be placed on the side facing the tongue (called lingual braces). Brackets made out of stainless steel or porcelain are bonded to the center of the teeth using an adhesive. Wires are placed in a slot in the brackets which allows for controlled movement in all three dimensions. Apart from wires, forces can be applied using elastic bands, and springs may be used to push teeth apart or to close a gap. Several teeth may be tied together with ligatures and different kinds of hooks can be placed to allow for connecting an elastic band. Clear aligners are an alternative to braces, but insufficient evidence exists to determine their effectiveness. Treatment Duration The time required for braces varies from person to person, depending on the severity of the problem; the amount of room available; the distance the teeth must travel; the health of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone; and how closely the patient follows instructions. On average, however, once the braces are put on, they usually remain in place for one to three years. After braces are removed, most patients will need to wear a retainer all the time for the first six months, then only during sleep for many years. Headgear<unk> headgear—sometimes referred to as an "extra-oral appliance"—is a treatment approach that requires the patient to have a device strapped onto his or her head to help correct malocclusion—typically used when the teeth do not align properly. Headgear is most often used along with braces or other<unk> appliances. While braces correct the position of teeth,<unk> headgear—which as the name suggests is worn on or is strapped onto the patient's head—is most often added to<unk> treatment to help alter the alignment of the jaw, although there are some situations in which such an appliance can help move teeth, particularly molars. Full<unk> headgear with headcap, fitting straps, facebow and elastics Whatever the purpose,<unk> headgear works by exerting tension on the braces via hooks, a facebow, coils, elastic bands, metal<unk> bands, and other attachable appliances directly into the patient's mouth. It is most effective for children and teenagers because their jaws are still developing and can be easily manipulated. (If an adult is fitted with headgear, it is usually to help correct the position of teeth that have shifted after other teeth have been extracted.) Thus Headgear is typically used to treat a number of jaw alignment or bite problems such as overbite and underbite. Palatal expansion Palatal expansion can be best achieved using a fixed tissue born appliance. Removable appliances can push teeth outwards but is less effective at maxillary sutural expansion. The effects of a removable expander may look the same as they push teeth outwards but should not be confused with actually expanding the palate. Proper palate expansion can create more space for teeth as well as improve both oral and nasal airflow. Jaw surgery Jaw surgery may be required to fix severe malocclusions. The bone is broken during surgery and is stabilised with titanium (or bioresorbable) plates and screws to allow for healing to take place. After surgery, regular<unk> treatment is used to move the teeth into their final position. During treatment To reduce pain during the<unk> treatment, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), vibratory devices, chewing adjuncts, brainwave music or cognitive behavioral therapy can be used. However, the supporting evidence is of low quality and the results are inconclusive. Post treatment After<unk> treatment has completed, there is a tendency for teeth to return, or relapse, back to their pre-treatment positions. Over 50% of patients have some reversion to pre-treatment positions within 10 years following treatment. To prevent relapse, the majority of patients will be offered a retainer once treatment has completed, and will benefit from wearing their retainers. Retainers can be either fixed or removable. Removable retainers Removable retainers are made from a clear plastic, and they are custom-fitted for the patient's mouth. It has a tight fit and holds all of the teeth in position. There are many types of brands for clear retainers including, Zendura Retainer, Essix Retainer and Vivera Retainer. Hawley retainer is also a removable<unk> appliance made from a combination of plastic and metal that is molded custom to fit the patient's mouth. Removable retainers will be worn for different periods of time depending on patient need to stabilise the dentition. Fixed retainers Fixed retainers are a simple wire fixed to the tongue-facing part of the incisors using dental adhesive and can be specifically useful to prevent rotation in incisors. Other types of fixed retainers can include labial or lingual braces, with brackets fixed to the teeth. File:Hyrax rapid palatal expander.Palatal expander File:Full<unk> headgear with headcap and fitting straps.Orthodontic headgear File:Cephalometric radiograph.An X-ray taken for skull analysis File:Retainer.Top and bottom retainers Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Invisalign is another form of<unk>  that is commonly used today. Many patients do not like the appearance of traditional metal braces, so they opt for clear removable aligners. There was a lot of controversy about the effectiveness of Invisalign, but with years of advancements, Invisalign's results can now be closely compared to traditional braces but with a lot more freedom and faster results. Process After booking an appointment with a dentist, the patient set up for a consultation. During the consultation the dentist or the dental assistant will scan the individual's teeth with a machine called iTero. The iTero machine digitally scans the structure of the teeth and gums. The dentist is able to see a 3D model of the patient's teeth on the screen. Unlike traditional braces, with Invisalign one is able to see the entire process from start to finish during consultation. Being that aligners are used, there is a lot of flexibility in fixing the smile. The dentist is able to make any changes that one wants to their treatment. Traditional braces, require metal brackets; with Invisalign, depending on the case, a patient will have "attachments" on the teeth. They are clear little buttons that help move teeth. Also, depending on the case, an individual might need interproximal reduction, also known as IPR. The dentist will take a little tool and "shave" off in-between the teeth, to help with overcrowded teeth. The reduction is very minimal, at most 0.3mm. Once the individual receives their aligners, they will have to wear them every day for 20–22 hours. One is supposed to remove them when eating and drinking. Unlike traditional metal braces, the person is able to eat anything when the aligners are removed; there are no restrictions. Depending on the severity of the case, one will have a new smile in a matter of months. Unlike traditional braces, which take about two years to remove, Invisalign can take less than a year (again, depending on the severity of the specific case). After the treatment is complete, the individual will have to wear clear removable retainers.
Orthodontics
Podiatry
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Plastic surgery
Orthoptics
Psychosurgery
Periodontology