What is Orthodontics? Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is officially known as Orthodontics and Denofacial Orthopedics. The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying "bad bite". When you have a malocclusion, that means your lips and/or jaws don't line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not work correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced.

To fix bad bites, orthodontists or dentists who are specially trained, use braces and other corrective procedures to achieve tooth and jaw alignment. This correction of the teeth and their supportive structures makes for a healthy, attractive smile.

What causes orthodontic problems?

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.

Other malocclusions are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, loss of permanent teeth, accidents, poor nutrition or certain medical problems. Sometimes, an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem.

Why is treatment so important?

Crooked or crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite also can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems.

An unattractive smile also makes an emotional impact. When you're not confident about the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.

Finally, without treatment, many problems become worse. Early orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prevent the need for additional dental care in the later years.