Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry concerned with the study and treatment of teeth irregularities or disproportionate jaw. Orthodontics was the first recognized specialty field of dentistry. Many countries have their own systems for training and registering orthodontic specialists. In order for a dentist to qualify as an orthodontist, he/she must complete a two to three year period of full-time post-graduate study.
A number of dental schools and hospitals offer advanced education in the specialty of Orthodontics to dentists. Generally, admission is based on application process followed by an extensive interviewing process by the institution, in order to select the best candidates. Candidates usually have to contact the individual school directly for the application process.
There are three main types of orthodontic devices. They are active, passive and functional. All these types can be fixed or removable.
An active device is used to apply forces to the teeth to change the connection of the teeth. Removable type of active device is called ELSAA (Expansion and Labial Segment Alignment Appliance). While fixed active devices are pin and tube device, ribbon arch device, begg lightwire device, edgewise device, pre-adjusted edgewise device, self-tying edgewise device and more.
Passive devices include space maintainers and retainers. Examples of removable passive devices are Hawley Retainer, Begg Retainer and Pressure Formed “Essix” Retainer. Fixed passive devices are bonded “twistflex” retainer and fixed space maintainer.
Functional devices are also known as dent facial orthopedic devices. These devices develop the muscle action of the patient. Examples of removable functional device are Andresen Appliance, Bionator, Biobloc, Clark Twin Block, Bass Dynamax and Medium Opening Activator.
Under this removable functional device is orthodontic headgear. This is a type of device attached to dental braces that helps correcting more severe bite problems. This is typically used for growing patients to correct overbites by holding back the growth of the upper jaw, allowing the lower jaw to catch up. The headgear is also use d to make more space for teeth to come in. This device needs to worn by the patient approximately 12 to 22 hours a day to be truly effective in correcting bite problems. The treatment usually takes six to eighteen months depending on the severity of the bite problem and how much the patient is growing.
Another one is a Facemask or Reverse-pull Headgear. This is used to control the growth of maxillary (upper jaw) and mandibular bones (lower jaw) during orthodontic treatment. This pulls the upper jaw forward in order to correct under bite problems. The treatment also takes six to eighteen months depending on the severity and how the patient is growing.
While dentists may treat some orthodontic conditions in a very short period of time, for example “braces in six months”, this may not address all features which can be treated in an extended orthodontic treatment program. Much orthodontics disapproves non-traditional styles of orthodontic care, but general dentists are licensed to offer orthodontics services and often refer the more difficult cases to the orthodontic specialists.