Orthodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of irregularities of the face and the dento-facial system.
Its aim is to correct and position both the teeth and the jaws in their correct
place. In this way, the proper function of the dento-facial system is ensured, chewing, speech and facial aesthetics are improved, decay and gingivitis are
prevented, and a beautiful smile is achieved.
It is considered correct for all children aged 6–7 to visit an orthodontic specialist for a check-up. This is the age at which the first baby teeth begin to fall out and the corresponding permanent teeth erupt. At this age, if deemed necessary, a small preventive intervention and correction may be needed. This saves time compared with treating a case for the first time after it has developed into something more serious over the years.
In every case, there are many different orthodontic appliances for correcting the incorrect position of the teeth and jaws, both removable and fixed. They work by applying gentle, controlled pressure to the teeth and jaws, and through their action they can change the position of the teeth or even affect the position of the jaws. Depending on the problem and the patient's age, the appropriate appliance is chosen each time.
