Orthodontia

Also called: Braces

Summary

Some people have naturally straight teeth that fit together. But if you have problems with your bite or the spacing of your teeth, you may need orthodontic care. Orthodontia is the branch of dentistry that deals with abnormalities of the teeth and jaw.

Orthodontic care involves the use of devices, such as braces, to:

Straighten teeth
Correct problems with bite
Close gaps between teeth
Align lips and teeth properly

Most people who receive orthodontic care are kids, but adults get braces, too. In young children, orthodontic treatment may guide proper jaw growth. This can help permanent teeth to come in properly. Straight permanent teeth can help prevent tooth problems later on.

Learn More

All about Orthodontia (Nemours Foundation)
Braces (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Malocclusion (Misaligned Teeth) (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish
Malocclusion of teeth (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Panoramic Dental X-Ray (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
The Basics of Braces (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Widely spaced teeth (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Orthodontics (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

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National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Orthodontia is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Orthodontia

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