Skip to main content

Orthodontic Appliance

 





 Usually, the teeth of the upper and lower jaws misalign when they close. This occurrence is known as malocclusion.

Malocclusion is not a serious health problem. However, it can present serious craniofacial anomalies characterized by a distorted face and one finding it hard to speak or chew food.

Serious cases of malocclusion are usually corrected using orthodontic treatment. However, a surgical procedure is necessary in severe cases.

Definition Of An Orthodontic Appliance

Orthodontic treatment uses an orthodontic appliance to correct malocclusions. Thus, an orthodontic appliance is a dental gear that applies force on the teeth of the upper and lower jaws to correct a malocclusion.

Types Of Orthodontic Appliances

They are two types of Orthodontic Appliances; active orthodontic appliances and functional orthodontic appliances.

Active Orthodontic Appliances


 

These dental gears apply pressure on the teeth to fix and match with other teeth on the upper and lower jaws. Examples of active appliances are

· Expansion and Labial Segment Alignment Appliance (ELSAA)

· Palatal Expander, Self-ligating Edgewise Appliances

· Begg Lightwire Appliances

· Tip-edge Appliance

· Preadjusted Edgewise Appliances

· Quad Helix

· Tri Helix

· Bi Helix

Functional Orthodontic Appliances

These are dental gears that apply pressure on the upper and lower jaws. They alter the position of the jaws to correct the malocclusion. Examples of functional appliances are

· Orthodontic headgear

· Orthodontic facemask

· Herbst appliance

· Twin block appliance

Recommendation For Orthodontic Treatment

Anybody above the age of eight is eligible for orthodontic treatment. However, orthodontic treatment is more suitable for children than teenagers or adults. Children have soft, pliable bones. Thus, orthodontic appliances work better on children’s teeth and jaws than on teens and adults.

If you suspect or feel that your child needs orthodontic treatment, visit an orthodontist with the child. Orthodontists have the knowledge and experience to determine your child's eligibility for treatment. They also know the most appropriate treatment and appliance options for correcting your child’s malocclusion. Your child's oral health is safe with an orthodontist.   

Labels:

Comments

  1. SinoOrthoMarch 12, 2020 at 5:34 PM

    It's really very nice and fantastic post thanks for sharing this with us. we are a Chinese leading orthodontic material manufacturer located in the capital of Zhejiang Province, P.R. China. Our products are orthodontic appliance, orthodontic wires,self ligating brackets and more.

    Thanks
    SINO ORTHO LIMITED

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Childhood Puzzles: Review of Ngũgĩ's Dreams in a Time of War

In a world dominated by capitalist narratives, authentic voices that challenge prevailing systems often face marginalization. This has been the fate of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's works, which courageously expose the evils of colonialism and neo-colonial corruption. While his books may gather dust in forgotten library corners, they remain vital resources for truth-seekers. Dreams in a Time of War, Ngũgĩ's 2010 memoir, offers a unique perspective on Kenya's turbulent history through the confused but perceptive eyes of a child. A Child's Bewildered Perspective The memoir's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of childhood confusion amid historical upheaval. Young Ngũgĩ witnesses traumatic events that only gain meaning in adulthood: 1. The Land Theft Paradox When Ngũgĩ's father loses his land to a Christian convert neighbor, the community's helplessness reveals colonialism's perverse logic. Though everyone knows the land rightfully belongs to Ngũgĩ's fam...
Post a Comment
Read more

Israel’s Aggression in the Middle East: The Urgent Need to Stop Supporting Zionist Expansionism

 The Middle East is once again engulfed in flames as Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on June 13, 2025, further destabilizing an already volatile region. This latest act of aggression is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing pattern of Zionist expansionism, backed by Western powers, particularly the United States. For decades, Israel has justified its military campaigns under the guise of "self-defense," while simultaneously being the primary aggressor in the region. The time has come for the world to wake up and recognize the truth: Israel is not a victim but a perpetrator of violence, and its continued belligerence threatens global peace. This article will dismantle three key myths that sustain Western support for Israeli aggression: The False Narrative of Israel’s "Right to Defend Itself" The Dangerous Religious Myth of Jewish Exceptionalism The Geopolitical Strategy to Weaken the Middle East By the end of this piece, it will be clear that s...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Tribute to My Literary Icon: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

The passing of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is not just the loss of a great writer; it is the silencing of a voice that spoke truth to power, a voice that shaped my understanding of history, resistance, and the enduring struggle against oppression. To me, Ngũgĩ was more than an author—he was a teacher, a historian, and a revolutionary whose works ignited in me a fierce opposition to neocolonialism. His novels, essays, and plays were not just stories; they were weapons of truth, exposing the brutality of colonialism and the betrayal of Africa’s independence dreams. A Grain of Wheat: Unmasking the Mau Mau and the Cost of Freedom Of all his works, A Grain of Wheat stands out as the novel that most profoundly shaped my political consciousness. In it, Ngũgĩ does not just recount Kenya’s struggle for independence; he humanizes it. He shows how the so-called "Mau Mau" (a derogatory label imposed by the British) were, in truth, the Kenya Land and Freedom Army—freedom fighters who sacrificed eve...
Post a Comment
Read more