Achieving Facial Harmony with Orthodontics
The concept of beauty is (more often than not) derived from harmony and harmonious proportions. While it remains inherently subjective, harmony is something we unconsciously accept as a mathematical expression of beauty.
Facial harmony refers to whether the face’s structure can be viewed as a balanced unit. Typically, our attention is drawn to anything that seems out of the ordinary, something we don’t regularly see, or anything that we consider to be disproportionate. In the face, this can be dark or stained teeth, misaligned teeth, spaces, gummy smiles, and other deformities related to the lips, nose, and eyes in their relationship to each other.
One common misconception about facial harmony, however, is that its utility extends beyond satisfying aesthetic reasons. Disproportionate features can deeply affect one’s psychological condition, mental health, and daily lifestyle. In this article, we will talk about how orthodontics can help with those and what to expect when seeking for treatment.
Are Dentists and Orthodontists the same?
Yes and no!
While both medical professionals help with the improvement of oral health and function, they do so in different ways. Dentistry is a specialty that fixes the teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw. On the other hand, orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that is focused on correcting bites, occlusion, and the alignment of teeth. Logically speaking, all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists. A patient who has an overbite may come to a dentist only to be referred to an orthodontist so medical dental devices can be installed (like headgear, plates, and braces).
Dentists usually encourage good oral hygiene and provide services related to:
Tooth decay
Root canals
Gum disease
Crowns
Bridges
Veneers
Teeth whitening
Orthodontists specialize in the straightness of teeth, and provide services related to:
Overjet, underjet
Overbite, underbite
Crossbites
Misaligned teeth
Crowded teeth
Spaces between teeth
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Jaw-related conditions
How do Orthodontists help?
For conditions past oral infection, your orthodontist will likely utilize fixed appliances to help improve your speech and chewing ability and prevent long-term excessive wear or trauma of the teeth. These are the most common devices in orthodontics and are opted for when precision is especially vital. Some of them are the following:
Braces - This dental appliance consists of brackets, wires, and bands (with special gum shields for those active in sports) and is usually attached to the front of the teeth. Wires are passed through the brackets in the shape of an arch, and as they are tightened, this moves the teeth into proper position.
This type requires monthly follow-ups for adjustments and may last from several months to a number of years on a case-to-case basis.Fixed-space maintainers - Especially recommended for children who lose a baby tooth, a space maintainer by its very name stops the two teeth from moving into the gap until the adult tooth comes through. This appliance is installed by fixing a band to one of the teeth next to the gap before a wire is put in and attached to the band on the other tooth.
Removable space maintainers - An alternative to fixed-space maintainers.
Special fixed appliances - A type that is reserved for patients who need help with controlling tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. This is not usually recommended since it may be uncomfortable for some.
Removable orthodontic appliances - These devices are used to treat minor conditions, such as preventing thumb sucking and/or correcting slightly crooked teeth. Some examples are:
Aligners - An alternative to braces for patients who would like their dental appliance to be unnoticeable and removable. This is typically used for 2 to 3 weeks which is then changed for a tighter one.
Headgear - This appliance is meant to slow down upper jaw growth and keep the back teeth in position while the front ones are pulled back. It’s installed by attaching a metal wire in the front or face bow to a strap around the back of the head.
Lip and cheek bumpers - An appliance specially made for relieving pressure of cheeks or lips on the teeth.
Palatal expander - Designed to make the arch of the upper jaw wider, it consists of a plastic plate with screws that is placed on the roof of the mouth. Using this expands the size of the palatal area.
Retainers - This appliance is used after treatments have been completed and is meant to stop the teeth from moving back to their original, uncorrected positions.
Other devices and treatments that are not on this list may be recommended by your orthodontist depending on your needs. Whichever dental appliance is advised, it’s important to consistently follow your orthodontist’s instructions and hygiene guidelines for the most optimal outcome.
How it’s diagnosed
All orthodontic treatments start with a proper assessment of the state of the patient’s teeth and how they are likely to develop without treatment.
It involves:
Taking a full medical and dental health history
Carrying out a clinical examination
Taking X-rays of the teeth and jaw
Making plaster models of the teeth
Disclaimer
Your optimal recovery remains our top priority. In case orthodontic conditions are spotted, your PAPRAS plastic surgeons can refer you to a properly trained specialist to address your specific aesthetic dentistry and/or orthodontic needs.
References:
American Dental Association. “Orthodontics.” Mouth Healthy, https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/orthodontics. Accessed 22 January 2021.
Burk & Flinn Orthodontics. “What's the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?” 19 March 2014, https://www.smilesmadebeautiful.com/blog/2014/03/whats-the-difference-between-an-orthodontist-and-a-dentist. Accessed 26 January 2021.
Medical News Today. “How can orthodontic treatment help?” 24 May 2018, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249482. Accessed 26 January 2021.
Rabanus, Dr. Jörg-Peter. “Facial Harmony.” https://www.aesthetic-dentistry.com/facial-harmony. Accessed 22 January 2021.