WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?
  

The etymology comes from the Greek: "ORTHO," which means "STRAIGHT," and "ODONTOS," which means "TEETH." Orthodontics is a dental specialty that aims to harmonize teeth with each other and with the rest of the oral cavity. It involves diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and maxillary abnormalities.

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ORTHODONTICS?​

Orthodontics has two main objectives:

​Functional:

• Coordinate both dental arches to restore balance, preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (jaw joint), posture problems, and premature dental wear.

• Enhance the health of teeth and gums (dental misalignments can lead to cavities, gum diseases, and early tooth loss).

• Effective treatment promotes good chewing, swallowing, digestion, speech, phonation, breathing, and may sometimes require collaboration with other healthcare professionals such as dentists, ear, nose, and throat specialists, allergists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, speech therapists, pediatricians, maxillofacial surgeons, stomatologists, gastroenterologists, and more.

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​Aesthetic:

• Achieve a harmonious smile with aligned teeth, in good alignment and contact.

• Enhance the physical appearance of the teeth.

• Optimize the projection of the lips and chin for a harmonious and aesthetic profile.

• Strive to restore facial balance with a symmetrical face and proportionate facial features.
   

Orthodontists must ensure this harmony, which depends on the oro-facial environment, muscular functions, digestive and respiratory functions, and the growth of maxillary bones.
 

​AT WHAT AGE CAN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT BEGIN?

Orthodontic treatments are possible at any age, from young children to advanced adults, with different techniques used depending on the patient's age. The first consultation is recommended around the age of 7-8.

There are two periods in a child's development:

1. From 7 to 11 years, it's a pre-orthodontic phase during mixed dentition.

2. From 11 to 16 years, it's a mature phase that allows active correction in established dentition.

During the first consultation, the orthodontist determines if orthodontic treatment is necessary and
decides whether to start with pre-orthodontics or proceed directly with traditional orthodontic
treatment.