Total 360 Dental Care Clinic: Your Destination for Advanced Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Solutions
What is Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics? Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics are two closely related fields of dentistry that deal with the correction of misaligned teeth and jaws. Orthodontics is primarily concerned with the treatment of teeth that are positioned incorrectly. When your teeth are not aligned properly, it can lead to oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease because cleaning can be more difficult. It can also cause extra stress on the chewing muscles, leading to headaches, TMJ syndrome, and neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Orthodontic treatments include:
Smile design, commonly referred to as cosmetic dentistry, is a dental procedure that aims to enhance the overall appearance of your smile. This may involve altering the colour, alignment, and contour of your teeth, as well as correcting any dental imperfections you may have, such as crooked teeth, discoloration, or gaps.
- Braces: These are the most common orthodontic treatment and they involve using brackets bonded to the teeth, connected by a wire, which is periodically tightened to gradually straighten your teeth and align your jaw.
- Aligners: Clear aligners like Invisalign are an alternative to traditional braces. They are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.
- Retainers:After braces or aligners have done their job, retainers are used to hold teeth in their new position.
- Dentofacial Orthopedics, on the other hand, is focused on the guidance and management of facial growth and development. This is particularly important during childhood years when the face is growing.
- Expanders:These are devices designed to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better.
- Headgear: This is often used to correct an excessive overbite or underbite. It works by holding back the growth of the upper jaw, allowing the lower jaw to catch up.
- Facemasks or Reverse-pull Headgear: This appliance is used to correct underbite. It pulls the upper jaw forward and the lower jaw backward.
Experience Accelerated Tooth Movement with PAOO Surgical Orthodontics at Total 360 Dental Care Clinic
Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) is a surgical procedure used to accelerate the orthodontic treatment process. This technique combines periodontics, orthodontics, and surgery to help patients achieve desired results in a shorter time span.
In the PAOO technique, the cortical bone, which is the outer layer of the jawbone, is surgically scarred on both the labial (lip side) and lingual (tongue side) sides of the teeth that are to be moved. After this process, grafting is done.
PAOO is often used in combination with fixed orthodontic treatment as an adjunctive procedure. The PAOO procedure involves the combination of selective alveolar corticotomy (bone cutting), particulate bone grafting, and the application of orthodontic force.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of PAOO may vary depending on individual patient factors. Always consult with a qualified dental professional to discuss the best treatment options for you.
Addressing Facial Asymmetry: Comprehensive Solutions at Total 360 Dental Care Clinic
Facial asymmetry refers to discrepancies in the size, position, and shape of facial features. It's important to note that perfect symmetry is rare, and slight asymmetry is normal and often considered attractive. However, significant facial asymmetry may be a concern for some people and can be addressed through a range of treatments.
Surgical Treatments
- Orthognathic Surgery: This is performed for the treatment of facial asymmetry combined with dental occlusal problems. The goal is to achieve a symmetrical facial midline and harmonious facial proportions.
- Rhinoplasty: Often referred to as a ‘nose job’, this surgical procedure can correct asymmetry related to the nose.
- Blepharoplasty: Also known as eyelid surgery, this procedure removes excess skin through an incision and can effectively address skin laxity and asymmetry in the eye area.
- Facelift Procedures and Soft-Tissue Adjustments: These procedures can help correct asymmetry by tightening loose skin and adjusting underlying tissues.
- Customized Implants: These are used to add volume and balance to the face. They can be made of various materials and are designed to fit your facial structure.
- Lipo-Dermal Grafts: This involves transferring fat from one part of the body to the face to correct asymmetry.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers are minimally invasive treatments that can correct facial asymmetry by adding volume to certain areas of the face.
- Cheek and Chin Sculpting: These non-surgical procedures involve using fillers to reshape the cheek or chin and improve facial balance.
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: This involves using fillers to adjust the shape of the nose without surgery.
- Brow Lift: A non-surgical brow lift can be achieved with Botox or other neuromodulators, lifting the brow and reducing asymmetry.
Cleft Lip and Palate Oral Surgery
Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. The conditions can occur on one or both sides of the mouth and can range in severity. Surgical intervention is often required to correct these issues, and the role of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is crucial in the care and treatment process.
Cleft Lip Surgery
The initial cleft lip surgery is usually performed by the time a baby is 12 months old. The goal of this surgery is to close the gap in the lip and to provide a more normal function and appearance. The procedure involves making incisions on either side of the cleft to create flaps of tissue that are then stitched together.
Cleft Palate Surgery
Cleft palate repair is a more involved procedure, with the first surgery taking place between the ages of 6–12 months. This surgery aims to close the opening in the roof of the mouth (palate) to separate the mouth and nose, which helps improve feeding and speech development. The procedure involves placement of bone from the hip into the bony defect, and closure of the communication from the nose to the gum tissue in three layers.
The care for a child born with a cleft lip and palate deformity often spans over a 20-year term, involving multiple surgeries and treatments to address ongoing issues related to growth, speech, hearing, and dental health. The multidisciplinary cleft palate team usually includes oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, genetics experts, pediatricians, and other specialists as needed.
Despite the complexity of the condition, with proper surgical intervention and ongoing care, most children with cleft lip and palate can achieve a normal appearance and function.
Who Will Provide Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontists are dentists who have undergone additional years of training specifically in the field of orthodontics. They specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities such as malocclusions (bad bites), overcrowded or misaligned teeth, and certain types of jaw conditions.
In some cases, orthodontic treatment may also involve the use of appliances other than braces, such as aligners, retainers, archwires, elastics, mouthguards, and even orthodontic surgery in certain situations.
At Total 360 Dental Care Clinic Dr. Komal Thakkar is highly trained and experienced in all aspects of orthodontic care. We offer a comprehensive range of services and are committed to helping our patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
Orthodontic treatment typically involves several phases to ensure a successful outcome. Here’s a general overview of what the procedure and post-treatment follow-up might look like.
Orthodontic treatment typically involves several phases to ensure a successful outcome. Here’s a general overview of what the procedure and post-treatment follow-up might look like.
Orthodontic Treatment Procedure
- Consultation: This is the initial stage where your orthodontist will perform a detailed evaluation to determine the most suitable treatment plan for you. This often involves taking X-rays, photographs, and dental impressions to fully understand your oral health condition.
- Treatment Planning: After the consultation, your orthodontist will develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This could involve braces, aligners, or other orthodontic devices.
- Appliance Placement: The process of placing an orthodontic appliance is non-surgical but requires special instructions to minimize patient discomfort.
- Adjustment Appointments: Once the braces or aligners are in place, regular appointments with the orthodontist are necessary for adjustments and progress monitoring.
Follow-Up/Post-Treatment
- Removal of Appliances: After the active phase of treatment, your orthodontist will remove your braces or other appliances
- Retention Phase: Following the removal of braces or aligners, a retainer is usually prescribed to hold your teeth in their new positions. Regular check-ups are needed during this phase to ensure the retainer is working effectively.
- Post-Orthodontic Care: If you notice any teeth shifting shortly after your treatment, your orthodontist may recommend a follow-up treatment.
- Long-Term Follow-Up: Successful orthodontic treatment requires long-term follow-up. Your orthodontist will schedule periodic appointments to monitor your teeth and jaw to ensure they remain well-aligned.