ORTHODONTICS

Introduction to orthodontics
 INTRODUCTION

• Orthodontics is that branch of dentistry concerned

with prevention, interception and correction of
malocclusion and other abnormalities of the dento-
facial region. The word ‘ORTHODONTICS’ is
derived from Greek words ‘ORTHOS’ meaning
correct and ‘DONTOS’ meaning teeth.
 WHY PROPER ALIGNMENT IS ESSENTIAL ??

– Esthetics
– Function
– Overall preservation of dental health
 UNFAVORABLE SEQUELAE OF MALOCLUSSION !

• Poor facial appearance

 – Poor oral hygiene maintenance
 – Risk of dental caries
 – Risk of periodontal disease
– Abnormalities of function
– Psychosocial problems
 – Risk of trauma to teeth
 – TMJ problems
SCOPE OF ORTHODONTIC
TREATMENT
• What orthodontics can do ?
• Alteration in tooth position
• Alteration in skeletal pattern
• Alteration in soft tissue pattern
TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC
TREATMENT
We can even classify these as the different types of
services offered by orthodontist
• Preventive orthodontics
• Interceptive orthodontics
• Corrective orthodontics
• Surgical orthodontics
 PREVENTIVE
ORTHODONTICS
• Parent education
• Caries control
• Care of deciduous dentition
• Management of ankylosed teeth
• Maintenance of quadrant wise tooth shedding timetable
• Check up for oral habits and habit breaking appliance if necessary
• Occlusal equilibration if there are any occlusal prematurities
• Prevention of damage to occlusion e.g.
 INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS

• – Defined as
“ that phase of the science and art of orthodontics
employed to eliminate potential irregularities
and malpositions in the developing dentofacial
complex ”
 INTERCEPTIVE
ORTHODONTICS
• Serial extraction
• Correction of developing cross bite
• Control of abnormal habits
• Space regaining
• Diastema closure
• Muscle exercises
• Interception of skeletal malrelation
• Removal of soft tissue or bony barrier to facilitate eruption of
teeth.
 CORRECTIVE ORTHODONTICS

– Like interceptive, it Is also undertaken after the manifestation of

malocclusion
 – It employs certain technical procedures to reduce , correct or eliminate
malocclusion.
 – Includes
• Removable or fixed mechanotherapy
• Functional or orthopedic appliances
• Surgical approach
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