Orthodontics is the dental specialty associated with straightening crooked, rotated or malpositioned teeth in children and adults with fixed or removable braces. An Orthodontist is the dental specialist who performs this procedure. Orthodontics physically moves teeth with braces into their proper position by pushing them through bone.When the proper amount of pressure is exerted on teeth (with the use of wires and springs) bone will disappear (resorption) in the area where the tooth is being pushed and will reappear (deposition) in the area where the tooth was originally.
Removable braces
Removable braces look much like a retainer or bite plate but they aren’t the same since they are used to actually move teeth. Removable braces are typically used to treat less severe orthodontic problems where teeth may be crowded out of the dental arch, in either direction to the tongue or lip, but where the teeth are not rotated. They are usually only taken out of the mouth to be cleaned or during some sports.
Traditional fixed (non-removable) braces
Traditional fixed (non-removable) braces have brackets that can be clear (white) or metal. Fixed braces are typically used to treat more complex orthodontic problems. They can be used to correct rotations and can cause bodily movement of teeth through bone. Treatment can take as long as 2 years, with timely visits to inspect, tighten and readjust the braces.
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