Why Straighten Teeth?

   Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew
 and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and
 gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or
 prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better
 also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant
 “side effect” of orthodontic treatment.

   An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It contributes
 to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—important
 qualities at every age. A pleasing appearance is a vital
 component of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem
 often improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth,
 lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic
 treatment can benefit social and career success, as
 well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.

  Asymmetrical jaws
 You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less
 prone to decay, gum disease and injury. Straight teeth
 collect less plaque, a colorless, sticky film composed of
 bacteria, food and saliva. Decay results when the bacteria
 in plaque feed on carbohydrates (sugar and starch) we eat
 or drink to produce acids that can cause cavities. Plaque
 can also increase the risk for periodontal (gum) disease.
 When teeth are properly aligned, and less plaque collects, 
 these risks decline. And when teeth are properly aligned it
 is easier to keep teeth clean. As for injuries to teeth,
 protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an
 accident. When repositioned and aligned with other teeth,
 these teeth are most probably going to be at a decreased
 risk for fracture.

  Untreated orthodontic problems may become worse. They
 may lead to tooth decay, gum disease (see photo below),
 destruction of the bone that holds teeth in place, and
 chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can
 cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces (see photo below),
 inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue
 and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of
 the jaw joints, sometimes leading to chronic headaches or
 pain in the face or neck. Treatment by an orthodontist to
 correct a problem early may be less costly than the
 restorative dental care required to treat more serious
 problems that can develop in later years.

Gum disease - periodontitis 
 

  Glossary of Orthodontic Terms and Procedures 

 Appliance - any item that is attached to the teeth by the
 orthodontist to move the teeth or change the shape of the jaw.

 Arch Wire – A metal wire attached to your brackets to move
 the teeth.

 Band – A metal ring placed on the teeth to hold parts of the
 braces.

 Bracket – metal or ceramic part that is glued onto a tooth
 and serves as a means of fastening the arch wire.

 Breakaway – a small plastic piece with an internal summer
 used to provide force on a facebow.

 Buccal Tube – small metal part that is welded to the outside
 of a molar bank and contains a slot to hold archwires, lip
 bumpers, and facebows.

 Orthodontic Chain – stretchable plastic chain used to hold
 archwires into brackets.

 Facebow and Headgear – a facebow is a wire apparatus
 used to move uppers molars back to make room for crowded
 front teeth. Headgear is the part of the total apparatus.

 Ligating Module – small plastic piece that is used to hold
 the arch wires in the brackets on the teeth.

 Lip Bumper – used to push the molars on the lower jaw
 back to create more space for other teeth.

 Mouthguard – a device used to protect the mouth from
 injury during sports activities.

 Neck Pad – used in conjunction with the facebow.

 Palatal Expander – device used to make the jaw wider.

 Retainer – used while sleeping after braces are removed
 to ensure that none of the teeth move while the jaw hardens.

 Seperator – a plastic or metal part that is used to create
 space between the teeth for bands.

 Wax – used to prevent the braces from irritating the lips.

  Orthodontic Procedures

 Acid Etch – weak acid is smeared on the teeth to make
 them ready for brackets and to help the brackets stay
 on better.

 Banding – process of cementing bands to the teeth.

 Bonding – process of attaching brackets to the teeth
 using a special glue.

 Cephalometric X-rays – a head x-ray that shows if the
 teeth are aligned properly and if they are growing correctly.

 Consultation – a meeting with the orthodontist to discuss
 the treatment plan.

 Debanding – removal of cemented orthodontic bands.

 Debonding – removal of the brackets from the teeth.

 Impressions – making a mold of the teeth. A bite impression
 is taken in a container filled with a substance that hardens
 to produce a mold of the teeth.

 Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment – usually performed
 when a child is 6-8 years of age to expand the palate
 and make other necessary corrections. This makes future
 orthodontic treatment go much quicker and less painful.

 Ligation – process where an archwire is attached to the
 brackets on the teeth.

 Ligating – components used to attached archwires to
 brackets.

 Records Appointment – an initial appointment to determine
 what treatment needs to be done. X-rays, pictures of the
 individual and impressions are usually performed.

 Tightening The Braces – process which usually occurs
 every 3-6 weeks. Adjustments are made to the wires in
 the braces or the wires are changed.

 Wax Bite – biting on a sheet of wax to determine how
 well your teeth come together.

  Additional Orthodontic Terms

 Archform – the shape of the dental arch.

 Closed Bite – during the biting process where upper teeth
 cover lower teeth.

 Cross Bite – during the biting process, some of the upper
 teeth are inside the lower teeth.

 Crowding – having too many teeth in to small a space.

 Crown Angulation – tooth movement where the root of the
 tooth is tipped forward or backward to correct the angle
 of the crown.

 Crown Inclination – tooth movement where the root of the
 tooth is tipped toward the cheeks, lips or toward the palate
 of the mouth.

 Deep Bite – excessive overbite.

 Interproximal Stripping – reduction of the enamel on the
 tooth to create space for crowded teeth.

 Malocclusion – poor positioning of the teeth.

 Class I Malocclusion – a condition where the bite is okay,
 but teeth are crooked, crowded or turned.

 Class II Malocclusion – a condition where upper teeth stick
 out past your lower teeth. This is also called "overbite" or
 "buck teeth".

 Class III Malocclusion – a condition where lower teeth
 stick out past the upper teeth. Also called an "underbite".