ortodontiska

Ortodontiska, or orthodontics, is the branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misalignment of teeth and jaws. It aims to improve function, occlusion, aesthetics, and long-term oral health by guiding eruption, alignment, and bite.

Treatment approaches include fixed appliances such as braces (brackets bonded to teeth with an archwire), removable appliances, and modern aligners. Other devices include elastics, palatal expanders, and headgear, used in growing patients to modify jaw development.

Diagnosis and treatment planning rely on clinical examination, photographs, dental impressions or scans, and radiographs including X-ray and cephalometric analysis. Treatment is planned by or under the supervision of an orthodontist, a dental specialist with additional training after dental school.

Common issues treated include crowding, spacing, bite problems like overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and rotated or tilted teeth. Timing varies; interceptive treatment can start around 7-9 years; typical comprehensive treatment occurs during adolescence, with adults also receiving care.

After active correction, retention is essential; retainers (fixed or removable) help maintain results. Risks include discomfort, tooth decay or gum problems if hygiene is poor during appliance wear, and relapse if retainers are not used.

History and scope: Edward Angle's classification of malocclusions is foundational. Orthodontic care is interdisciplinary when jaw surgery is needed for severe discrepancies. This field combines aesthetics with function.