Orthodontic treatment (orthopedic treatment of the mouth) mainly involves correcting teeth alignment and jaw deformities caused by various factors. Common deformities include crowded teeth (disorderly arranged teeth), crossbite (commonly known as "underbite" or "prognathism"), overjet (prominent front teeth), and underdeveloped mandible (small chin). According to the causes and mechanisms of malocclusion, appropriate timing for correction should be chosen; otherwise, it can significantly affect the aesthetics, function, and health of the oral cavity and face. Department of Stomatology, Dongwu Hospital, Suzhou.
Generally speaking, any deformity that affects the normal growth and development of the facial bones should be corrected as early as possible, such as removing bad oral habits, correcting reverse occlusion during the milk tooth and mixed dentition period, and correcting retruded mandible. For cases where skeletal development is basically normal but only involve misaligned teeth, or malocclusions caused by dental reasons such as crossbites or protruding upper teeth, orthodontic treatment using advanced fixed orthodontic techniques like edgewise appliance or straight wire technique should be conducted during the early permanent dentition phase, after all milk teeth have been replaced.
The duration of fixed orthodontic treatment usually lasts around 1-2 years. Typically, a follow-up adjustment is required every 2-4 weeks. However, factors such as the severity of the patient's dental and jaw deformities, treatment requirements, age, and the patient's cooperation level can all influence the treatment duration. For patients with severe genetic backgrounds or serious skeletal deformities, orthodontic treatment often needs to be carried out in conjunction with maxillofacial surgeons after the growth and development of the patient's jaw and face has largely stopped (usually around the age of 18).