Orthodontia
Basics
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Research
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Summary
Some people have naturally straight teeth that fit together. But if you have problems with your bite or the spacing of your teeth, you may need orthodontic care. Orthodontia is the branch of dentistry that deals with abnormalities of the teeth and jaw.
Orthodontic care involves the use of devices, such as braces, to
- Straighten teeth
- Correct problems with bite
- Close gaps between teeth
- Align lips and teeth properly
Most people who receive orthodontic care are kids, but adults get braces, too. In young children, orthodontic treatment may guide proper jaw growth. This can help permanent teeth to come in properly. Straight permanent teeth can help prevent tooth problems later on.
Diagnosis and Tests
- Panoramic Dental X-Ray (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- I Have Braces: How Can I Eat Fruits and Veggies? (Nemours Foundation)
- Orthodontics Align Crooked Teeth and Boost Self-Esteem (Academy of General Dentistry)
Specifics
- Malocclusion (Misaligned Teeth) (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Orthodontics
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Effectiveness of part-time vs full-time wear protocols of Twin-block appliance...
- Article: Effectiveness of incremental vs maximum bite advancement during Herbst appliance...
- Article: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement vs composite for orthodontic bonding: A...
- Orthodontia -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- Glossary of Dental Terms (Academy of General Dentistry)
- Oral Health Glossary (Academy of General Dentistry)
Find an Expert
Children
- Braces (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Going to the Orthodontist (Nemours Foundation)
- Reality of Retainers (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- All about Orthodontia (Nemours Foundation)