1. ORTHODONTICS:

Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.

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2. INTEGRAL DIAGNOSIS:

It considers the whole individual as a system, including, not only muscular, dental, skeletical and organical structures, but it also includes psychological social and environmental factors.

It analyzes not only the symptoms, but further consequences and risks derived from malocclusion if it is not corrected.

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3. TYPES OF ORTHODONTICS:

3.1. PREVENTIVE ORTHODONTICS:

This is the part of orthodonticsthat prevents the appearance of growth deviations that can alter the normal development of this bucofacial complex.

In most cases, dental wearing and removable orthopaedic devices are used to correct all factors that deviate bucofacial complex growth from its normal development course. It is made in early ages, and it is intended to avoid malocclusion in adult age. It It includes control of bad habits, such as thumb/finger or objects suction, the use of spacers in case of premature extraction of dental pieces, the extraction of supernumerary teeth or any other factor altering the eruotion pattern of permanent teeth.

3.2. INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS :

This is the part of orthodontics intended to normalize child patient's jaw and teeth alignment as early as possible to enhance the child's ability to grow and compensate optimally. If treated early, many children may avoid the need for extraction of permanent teeth to correct their orthodontic problems.

3.3. CORRECTIVE ORTHODONTICS :

Corrective orthodontics is the use of appliances, retainers and braces to correct problems in a patient's bite or teeth. Corrective orthodontics restores teeth back to their full function.

Sometimes, it is also required the intervention of other specialists, as maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeon, otolaringologist, speech therapist, psychologist, etc.

3.4. FUNCTIONAL MAXILLARY ORTHOPAEDICS:

es de acción fundamentalmente esquelética y de localización maxilofacial, por medio de aparatos específicos se interviene activamente en el desarrollo óseo potenciado, inhibiendo o modificando el patrón de crecimiento controla cuantitativa y cualitativamente el crecimiento de los maxilares para corregir la displasia esquelética que sostiene y origina la maloclusion.

It is a treatment that reunites orthopaedical, corrective and interceptive orthodontics. It is intended to redirect the craneofacial growth, in early ages. It is uncommonly used in adult patients. It acts on skeletal and maxillofacial structures, by means of specific apparatuses, inhibiting or modifying the growth pattern to correct factors originating and maintaining maloclussion.

3.5. ORTHOGNATHICS:

Orthognathics attempts to achieve facial balance between the middle and lower thirds of the face in vertical, transverse, and horizontal dimensions by surgically correct any malformation in this areas.

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4. THERAPEUTIC OBJECTIVES:

Every day, the need for orthodontics in young populations increases due to different factors:

a. Human evolution: Human race is developing smaller maxillary bones, which reduces spaces available for the normal accomodation of the teeth.

b. Soft food diets, which don't provide a correct stimulus to maxillary estructures fot their normal growth.

c. Micrognathia or macrognathia, which are associated to habits that produce an abnormal craniofacial growth.

d. Congenital problems

These factors are present in all huan groups. This is why our therapies must be directed to prevent and correct these abnormalities, in both functional and aesthetic aspects. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan will guide doctor and patient to a successful result.

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5. GENERAL DENTIST:

The general dentist will define patient's orthodontical needs and will redirect him/her to the indicated specialist with a preliminary diagnosis.

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6. ESPECIALIST:

In some cases, other health specialists will send patients to the orthodontist in order to correct some problems and get an integral treatment for treated conditions (odontologists, otolaryngoligists, maxillofacial surgeons, speech therapists, etc.).

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7. WHO CAN BE A PATIENT OF ORTHODONTICAL TREATMENT:

Any person, in any age. It's only required that patient has good oral health and no decay cavities.

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8. ACCESSORY APPARATUSES:

Sometimes an orthodontic treatment makes it necessary to use auxiliary devices such as:

• Anclajes como botón palatino y arco lingual.
• Planos de altura y placas con tornillo
• Aparatos de ortopedia y miofuncionales
• Máscara Facial
• Dispositivos intra orales para máscara
• Placas de retención

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9. END OF TREATMENT:

After successfully finishing the corrective treatment, it is necessary to enter to the passive stage of treatment, known as RETENTION, which will maintain and preserve bucofacial balance. This is achieved by using fixed or removable devices called RETAINERS.

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