When someone says the word 'orthodontics', the first thing that comes to mind is a child with railroad tracks on his or her teeth and matching headgear. While this isn't an uncommon dental treatment, this segment of oral health care is for adults and children. These procedures move or hold the teeth and jaws to create the perfect smile.

Braces

Fixed ortho treatments are those that are anchored directly onto the patients and are available in a wide range of colors, materials, and styles. The most common form of braces is made of metal. While they are essential the same as the styles used years ago, they are smaller and more aesthetically pleasing than they used to be. They are also available in gold or silver colors while the elastics are available in virtually every color (a favorite for younger patients).

Ceramic braces look similar to metal braces except for the fact that they are clear and far less noticeable. Damon or 'self-ligation' braces are smaller metal appliances. These do not have any elastics and have a moveable wire to make them more comfortable and less noticeable. As an added benefit, treatment time and the adjustments needed are lessened.

Two styles are more popular treatments for adults because they are virtually undetectable. Invisalign is a series of invisible molds that can be removed when eating or cleaning your teeth. The last style is known as iBraces. These systems are attached by the dentist to the inside of your teeth rather than on the outside.

Attached Ortho Treatments

Some fixed appliances are not braces, but are similar to springs. Distal jet, Forsus springs, Jasper jumpers, and Pendex are just a few of the devises used by the dentist to straighten your teeth. Some of these are used instead of elastics or to widen the space between your teeth in order to make room for a bracket.

Other fixed devices such as Nance or transpalatal arches are for holding certain teeth in place while others are moving into the correct positions. Haas and Hyrax expanders are designed to widen the upper set of teeth. If your upper and lower teeth are growing at different rates, functional devices such as the Herbst and Mara are attached to the teeth.

Detachable Ortho Devices

The oral care professional often uses these treatments to ensure the work performed by fixed appliances is stabilized or completed. Retainers are a popular example. These hold the teeth and may be used along with springs or elastics to hold the teeth in the correct position. If growth rates are an issue, the dentist will use Frankel or Bionator devices as well as headgear to pull on the jaws and correct their growth rates.

These are just a few of the ortho treatments the dentist can use to correct your smile. After an in-depth examination of your teeth and jaws, the oral care professional will design a treatment plan that matches your individual needs to get you the smile you've always wanted.