Orthodontics is a part of the dentistry field with a primary focus on teeth and jaw alignment. Orthodontists primarily treat malocclusion, in which a person has an improper bite due to misalignment of their teeth. Malocclusion leads to pain, discomfort, and difficulty eating and chewing food. Patients also experience discomfort when their mouths are closed, as their teeth do not rest properly.

Orthodontists get trained on how to make crooked teeth straight. They have specialized equipment for the treatments. This article will discuss some of the devices that are used by orthodontics during treatments. To fix your teeth, get orthodontic treatment in Fullerton today.

Examples of devices used by orthodontics

Although orthodontic treatments are for cosmetic purposes in many cases, they also improve patients’ oral function. The appliances used in orthodontic treatments restrict patients from consuming certain foods and beverages like sticky foods and carbonated drinks.

  • Braces

Braces are made with wires, brackets, and bands. Bands are placed around the teeth as the primary base for brackets and wires. Orthodontists place brackets on the front of the patient’s teeth and use the wires to pass through those brackets to connect to the bands.

The wires are then tightened to create pressure on the teeth, which helps to move them back in place over time. Braces initially are very painful for a patient as they create pressure on their jaw and teeth. Orthodontists usually prescribe painkillers to help with the pain. Patients are typically instructed to follow specific dental hygiene rules after getting braces. They are also advised to avoid certain foods to manage the braces.

Patients are called for follow-up checkups. Follow-ups are usually every month. Orthodontists conduct follow-ups to readjust or tighten the braces. A patient can have braces for several months to several years, depending upon the severity of misalignment.

  • Fixed-space maintainers

Fixed space maintainers are usually used on children. They prevent adjacent teeth from moving into an empty space of a lost tooth until an adult tooth develops.

The placement process involves a band placement on the adjacent teeth of the empty space, and then a wire is passed through the band from one tooth to the other.

  • Splints or jaw-repositioning appliances

Splints are devices commonly used to treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). They are fixed either in the top or lower jaw. Splints help to close the jaw properly. TMJ is a painful condition that causes dysfunction in the muscles around the jaw.

To learn more, speak to an expert today!