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 (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Braces (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Braces Have Changed, From Metal to Tooth-Colored to Clear (Food and Drug Administration) 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
- Widely spaced teeth (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Orthodontics
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Patient Handouts
- Malocclusion of teeth (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Widely spaced teeth (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish