INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODONTICS Dr.Sowmya Ramachandrachar Consultant Orthodontist

Definition Orthodontics includes the study of growth and development of the jaws and face particularly, and the body generally as influencing the position of the teeth; the study of action and reaction of internal and external influences on the development and the prevention and correction of arrested and perverted development.

Services offered by the Orthodontist Preventive Orthodontics Interceptive Orthodontics Corrective Orthodontics Surgical Orthodontics

Preventive Orthodontics “actions taken to preserve the integrity of what appears normal for that age”.

Interceptive Orthodontics “Science and art of Orthodontics employed to recognize and eliminate potential irregularities in the developing dentofacial complex”

Corrective Orthodontics “Recognizes the existence of a malocclusion and the need for employing certain technical procedures to reduce or eliminate the problem and the attendant sequelae”

Surgical Orthodontics “It is the combined Orthodontic and Surgical management of severe dento-facial deformities that cannot be treated by Orthodontic therapy alone”

Aims of Orthodontic treatment Jackson’s triad Functional efficiency Structural balance Esthetic harmony

Functional Efficiency Many malocclusions affect normal functioning of stomatognathic system The orthodontic treatment should thus aim at improving the functioning of the oro-facial apparatus

Structural Balance The orofacial regions consists of the dentoalveolar system the skeletal tissue the soft tissue including musculature Stable orthodontic treatment is best achieved by maintaining a balance between these three tissue systems

Esthetic harmony Many malocclusions are associated with unsightly appearance of teeth and can affect the self image of the individual. Orthodontic treatment should aim at improving the esthetics of the individual

Unfavourable sequelae of malocclusion Poor facial appearance Malocclusion is capable of adversely affecting the facial appearance of an individual.

Risk of caries Mal aligned teeth makes the oral hygiene maintenance a difficult task, thereby increasing the risk of caries.

Predisposition to periodontal disease Malocclusion with poor oral hygiene leads to periodontal diseases. Teeth in traumatic occlusion results in damage to periodontal tissues.

Risk of trauma Teeth that are severely proclined are often at a high risk of injury either during games or by accidental fall.

Psychological disturbances Malocclusion affecting adversely the appearance ,makes a person highly self conscious and turns him into an introvert.

Abnormalities of function Many malocclusions cause abnormality in the functioning of the stomatognathic system such as improper swallowing, defects in speech ,improper respiration, etc.

Temporomandibular joint problems Malocclusion associated with occlusal prematurities and deep bite can cause TMJ problems such as pain and dysfunction.

Interference to the normal growth and development The growth of maxilla is restricted by the mandible in skeletal class 3 malocclusion with anterior crossbite.

Need for orthodontic treatment To improve the aesthetics of an individual. To reduce the susceptibility to dental caries and periodontal diseases To reduce the susceptibility to accidental injury To correct the abnormal muscle activity To correct the abnormal oral habits

Need for orthodontic treatment To intercept and correct the interferences to the normal growth To manage the temporomandibular joint problems To facilitate the prosthetic rehabilitation To correct the speech defects

Scope of orthodontic treatment Orthodontic treatment can bring about changes in the dentition ,the skeletal system and the enveloping soft tissue. Alteration in tooth position Alteration in skeletal pattern Alteration in soft tissue pattern

Alteration in tooth position Orthodontic treatment is made possible by the fact that teeth can be moved through the bone to ideal locations by applying appropriate force on them.

Alteration in skeletal pattern Malocclusion may be associated with skeletal disharmony of jaw bones. Deviations from normal can arise in Size Position Relationship between these skeletal components. Orthodontist can use orthopaedic forces to bring about changes in sagittal,vertical and transverse planes.

Alteration in soft tissue pattern The soft tissues that envelope the dentition are greatly influenced by the position of dentition. Orthodontic treatment can bring about favourable changes in the soft tissue pattern.