More Than A Dentist
Many of us when
we visit our local family dentist, see the same practitioner for all manner of
treatments from simple fillings, to root canal surgery, treatment of gum
diseases and a myriad of other dental care requirements. Technically, the
dentist is performing in a range of specifically identified different dental
practices, such as the periodontist, the area of dentistry that focuses on the
gums, the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, to diagnose, treat and
prevent all manner of problems. Paediatric dentistry is concerned with the
teeth of young children through to adolescence, and may well be the person who
refers your child to yet another branch, that of the orthodontist.
The Orthodontist
Orthodontics is
an area of specialisation within dentistry that focuses on the occlusion or malocclusion of the bite, in
straightening teeth that are growing at the wrong angle, to keep the smile
straight and the teeth working in coordination with each other. It is the
orthodontist who gives your child the dreaded news that they are going to need braces,
retainers and space maintainers, to correct the function and appearance of
their teeth. While much of the work of an orthodontist traditionally involved
young patients, a significant number of adults now too utilise their services
to correct long running dental problems, especially since the invisible braces
introduction.
Training
While the tooth
may seem like a simple structure, the fact is that being able to understand
every aspect of how teeth grow and how to change what nature had decided, takes
a very long time. Many of us feel pretty capable of dealing with whatever task
we are set to after a couple of years, while an orthodontist such as one found at
Sydney Park
Dental orthodontics service will initially
go through four years of dental school, followed by two to three years of further
specialized study in orthodontics. Every set of teeth is different, requiring a
unique and individual treatment programme, with the goal of producing not just
straight teeth, which is what many are looking for, but to ensure that the
subsequent bite will fit seamlessly together when you chew. Straight teeth
still need after all to be where they need to be and at the correct angle, or
they will clash with an ineffective bite against other straight teeth, also in
the wrong place.
Precision And Balance
Obtaining a
perfect occlusion is by no means a simple task. A tooth out of normal alignment
may be growing at different angles from the one next to it and so on, through
the whole set. Some teeth will need to stay where they are, some pulled left,
right, forward and so on, with varying levels of force for each one to bring
them gradually towards the desired position. Too much force will cause pain to
the patient and will move the tooth too far, while too little isn’t going to be
of much benefit at all. Many patients do not realise the complexity of it, and
only fully realise when the straight smile they had hoped for is achieved,
whilst simultaneously perfectly aligning their bite, making eating a much more
pleasant experience.
Your family
dentist is equipped to deal with minor orthodontic treatments, though if you
are referred to the specialist, the end result most likely will be very much
appreciated, both aesthetically and functionally.