Orthodontics became a specialty in dentistry 1900 by Edward H. Angle. This means orthodontics has been around for 122 years! Angle was the first orthodontist and was also the first person to make his dental practice strictly orthodontics. He also started the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), which is a membership for orthodontists only.
The word orthodontics is of Greek origin. Ortho means to correct or straighten, Dont means tooth. When put together the word orthodontics is formed meaning "straight teeth".
Teeth move in response to pressure. Some pressure is good but other pressure can be harmfu- when a child sucks their thumb or pushes their tongue against the teeth. This will cause an open bite. Orthodontic appliances such as braces, aligners and expanders align teeth with safe pressure.
NASA created a metal that is used for braces. The thin, flexible nickel-titanium (Niti) wires used were made by the space program. This material is thin, flexible and extremely strong!
Power chains are the elastic rubber bands that are all connected and apply more force to an area. The power chains are used to close spaces between teeth.
Dr. Azizi is aPenn Dental Medicine graduate of the Orthodontic department, an Ivy League university. He continually updates his education to provide the best and most effective care to his patients. Additionally, Dr. Azizi has served as Director and Professor of Orthodontics for more than 20 years at Temple University School of Dentistry, where he helped shape the next generations of orthodontists.
Wisdom teeth usually need to be extracted around age 18 to 21. There is a possibility that some people can have all 4 wisdom teeth or just 3 wisdom teeth & etc. It is also possible for some people to never develop wisdom teeth. It is all based on genetics how many wisdom teeth one will have.
Wisdom teeth are just like molars, as they are used for chewing and grinding tough food. In most cases, shifting of teeth will occur if the retainer isn't worn. Some won't wear their retainer due to the pressure of the wisdom teeth erupting.
Wisdom teeth can be seen by looking at the patient's dental films. The best way to look is taking a panoramic film which gives a wide view of the entire mouth. Sometimes the wisdom teeth will be seen laying downward and may be too close to the nerves. In this case, the wisdom can’t be extracted as it could cause nerve damage.
Symptoms of wisdom teeth irritation:
•swollen gums
•ear ache type pain
•bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing
•severe pain when chewing with molars
There is a chance the dentist may have to prescribe antibiotics before the extraction is performed to treat any infections. If there is an infection while getting wisdom teeth removed and it is not treated beforehand, there is a chance the infection could spread throughout the entire body.
Some dentists may suggest still having wisdom teeth extracted. The teeth may cause dental issues later. Wisdom teeth are prone to cavities because due to sitting so far back it may be hard to brush and floss that area.
After the wisdom teeth are removed, it may take about 3-4 days for the mouth to heal. There are some food and other restrictions the oral surgeon will go over prior to the patient leaving the extraction appointment.
Orthodontics may seem pricey but in reality, having a beautiful smile is really an investment in the long run.
Orthodontic treatment can give one a healthier dentition by preventing serious medical problems in the future.
Orthodontics can prevent tooth decay. When there is crowding it can be hard to reach certain areas while brushing. If the teeth are overlapping, creating tight contact it can cause plaque & bacteria to sit longer on the teeth due to not being able to properly clean. This can cause decay, also known as cavities. A cavity may not seem like a big deal but could become costly on the wallet. If a filling goes bad, it may lead to expensive dental work-- root canals, crowns, implants, etc.
Orthodontics can also prevent gum disease. Just like crowding can cause tooth decay, it can also cause problems with the bacteria sitting around the gumline. Gum disease causes bleeding & inflammation.
Orthodontics can also help and prevent TMJ, grinding of the teeth as well headaches. If there is a deep overbite it can cause headaches & TMJ due to tension. Getting orthodontic treatment can correct the bite & stop the pressure which will also get rid of the tension headaches.
One last benefit of orthodontic treatment is the confidence boost one will receive from having a perfect smile!
The best way to keep living a healthy lifestyle is to be sure you go to your doctor for annual physicals & take care of your body.
Taking care of your body can be done in different ways- healthy dieting, physical activity, mental health check-in's & more.
A healthy diet consists of fiber, fruits, vegetables, good fats & whole grains. This diet will help reduce inflammation which can cause damage to bones, joints & organs. Processed foods may be tasty but are not good for the body. Processed foods can cause problems with high blood pressure & high sugar levels which can lead to heart disease, diabetes & obesity. A good healthy diet can contain olive oil, fruits, vegetables, fish & low amounts of red meat; this can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
It is important to incorporate physical activity such as going to a gym, jogging, & walking. This will reduce your risk of heart disease, obesity, depression & strokes. Physical activity can also improve your sleep. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress levels & can play an important role on your mental health.
Mental health is vital and should be treated as such. You can take care of your mental health by seeing a therapist, going on walks or hikes, writing in a journal or even just talking with someone who you trust & is important to you. There does not need to be a major issues in your life to talk with a therapist. Seeing a therapist is good outlet for anyone & a great outlet to vent about anything going on in your life even if it's something small.
Make sure to see your doctor for your annual check-ins. This is important because even if you feel great there may be an underlying issue. It is best for your physical & mental health to make sure everything is ok.
