Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry. Los Angeles orthodontics excels in this domain and offers services that focus on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. With a varied range of tooth movements, they use different techniques to get the tooth into the desired position. The results are enormous; improved dental function, better aesthetic appeal and good oral and overall health. But it is easier said than done. Some tooth movements are more complex than others. This makes the job painstaking. To achieve the desired results it is important to understand the intricacies of tooth movement. This is described below:
Types Of Orthodontic Tooth Movements
A tooth comprises a root and dental crown. The root of the tooth is positioned in the jaw bone while the crown is the visible part of the tooth. To get the shaft into the desired position, the root of the tooth is to be moved. Orthodontic tooth movement is therefore a complex act. Experts at West Hollywood orthodontics carry out extensive evaluation to figure out the direction of force to be applied. Orthodontic tooth movement is a combination of coordinated tissue resorption and formation in the surrounding bone and periodontal ligament. The types of movement are:
Facial
Lingual Movements are commonly used for correcting minor crowding or spacing issues. It involves moving the tooth forward or backward as needed.
Root Tipping
If the angle of the tooth is causing pressure problems and misalignment, root tipping is done to move the crown in one direction while the root is pushed in the opposite direction.
Mesial
Distal Movements – This movement aims at moving the tooth toward the midline of the dental arch or away from the midline. This closes the gaps and corrects tooth positioning within the arch.
Translation
This is a moderately complex case and involves moving the entire tooth in the same direction. Orthodontics Los Angeles uses techniques for precise control of force for a guided tooth movement.
Retraction
For moving a tooth backward toward the tongue, retraction is done. It corrects protruding teeth and closes extraction spaces. To prevent unwanted movement of adjacent teeth is the biggest challenge.
Protraction
For cases where the tooth is to be moved forward, protraction techniques are deployed. But care is taken not to affect the overall arch form.
Intrusions
Some teeth are over-erupted. This is visually unappealing. Orthodontics West Hollywood clinics use techniques to push the tooth down and level the occlusal plane. The precise amount of pressure is required to avoid root resorption. This makes the technique challenging and time taking.
Most Difficult Movements In Orthodontic Tooth Movements
Some techniques are more complex than others. This is because of the tooth anatomy. Some of the most difficult tooth movements performed by orthodontic surgeons are:
Torqueing
Proper root alignment, especially in anterior teeth is important. The orthodontic treatment gets its name from physics where torquing is defined as the tendency of a force to rotate an object. The dentist aims to move the root of a tooth in a buccal (toward the cheek) or lingual (toward the tongue) direction while maintaining stability of the crown. The treatment is extremely time consuming and requires the use of specialized brackets and rectangular archwires to generate accurate pressure.
Rotation
This is done to turn around the tooth along its long axis. This corrects twisted teeth that grow in the wrong direction. Treating molars and premolars is the most challenging as the teeth have larger roots that are resistant to movement. The process is extremely painful and draining.
Extrusions –
Unlike intrusions where the treatment is for an over-erupted tooth, the extrusion is done to pull a tooth out of the bone. This is done for the impacted tooth. Techniques that apply vertical force are used to pull out the tooth slowly and gradually.
Expansion/Constriction –
Some patients require treatment to widen or narrow down the dental arch. Such treatments become important to correct issues like crossbites. However, it is extremely challenging as it requires applying balancing forces to achieve uniform arch changes.
Use Of Orthodontic Appliances
To bring about the desired results, orthodontic experts use orthodontic appliances. It is a system for storing and delivering force against the teeth, muscles and bone. The guided pressure stimulates a reaction within the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone to bring about movement of the teeth and also to alter the bone morphology to prevent relapse.
A few commonly used orthodontic appliances are braces, palatal expanders, retainers, headgear, space maintainers, temporary anchorage device, elastics, etc.
Final Thoughts
Orthodontic tooth movement is a controlled and guided process to bring about the required movement in the placement of the tooth. It may involve one or more teeth. It varies in complexity depending on the type of movement. As each type of movement requires specific techniques, seeking advice and treatment from skilled experts is important. Top-rated dental clinics like the Personal Dental Office have the most experienced and trained orthodontic surgeons on board. They understand the intricacies of these movements and their complexities and therefore use the best orthodontic appliances to get effective results. Schedule an appointment for effective orthodontic treatment planning and execution to enjoy an improved dental function with overall improved aesthetics.
