The word “orthodontics” has its roots in the Greek slang “Ortho,” which means correct or straight. Similarly, “donto refers to the tooth in Greek, and when both are combined, we get “orthodontics,” which means straight teeth.
That’s one of the most basic facts about orthodontics you have probably heard before from one of your friends. But there are even more fascinating facts than this basic one surrounding this dental specialty.
Except for the treatment’s specifications, no orthodontist in Portland will tell you these interesting things if you want to get braces, undergo a cosmetic treatment to straighten your teeth or refine your smile.
But, if you are curious to learn them, these are some basic orthodontics facts that you must watch.
1. Orthodontic Problems Have Been Alive For Ages.
Orthodontic problems have been in the lives of humans for a long time. People with crooked, misaligned, or uneven teeth have been documented since 400 BCE.
During their research, some archeologists have even discovered Egyptian mummies with a metal wire wrapped around their teeth. It denotes that people have been receiving orthodontic care for many decades and ages.
The only things that have evolved over the period of time are the techniques and names. Humans have been aligning misaligned teeth since the beginning of time. But the treatment was not “orthodontics” from the start.
2. Orthodontics Became A Dental Specialty In 1900.
Orthodontics came into being thousands of years later as a professionally accepted and certified dental specialty in 1990. Edward H. Angle is regarded as the person behind this dental specialty.
He’s also the first orthodontist, as well as the man behind giving this dental specialty its unique recognition. Edward wanted to keep orthodontic practices limited to moving teeth and aligning jaws so that dentists could gain more specialization in this niche.
The establishment of the American Association of Orthodontists was also a unique initiative by Angle to aid in more progress in the orthodontic sector.
3. You Can Call An Orthodontist A “Dentist,” But Not Every Dentist Can Be Categorized As An Orthodontist.
That’s a rather amusing statement. But that’s true. Not every dentist is an orthodontist. Dentistry is split into multiple specialties, and orthodontics also has its own unique repo.
Therefore, a person who provides orthodontic treatment is called an “orthodontist” to ensure a clear message is delivered to the patient, nurse, ward boy, or receptionist. However, most people only use the word “dentist” because it is simple to pronounce.
You aren’t wrong if you call every orthodontist “a dentist”. But make sure you aren’t calling every dentist an orthodontist. Not only will it perplex you, but others may also be perplexed by this statement.
4. Millions Of People Are Now Wearing Braces Worldwide
As per the statistics, over 4 million people are wearing braces in the US alone, and 25% of them are adults. With the rising curiosity of people towards their smiles and facial appearance, it is also expected that the demand for the braces and support industry will reach $1.6 billion by 2027.
The demand for orthodontics has significantly seen a boost in recent years. Especially among adults, dental treatment is evolving as a new trend. That’s quite fascinating. Uneven teeth, crooked teeth, or bite problems affect people’s facial experience and contribute to a drop in confidence.
Their issues, however, are easily resolved with non-surgical and surgical orthodontics in Portland treatment.
5. Teeth Move In Response To Pressure
The overall process of wearing braces is no longer unknown. How do braces function and move? People are well-versed in that. Braces apply consistent pressure to the teeth in order to bring them into perfect shape.
The overall process is known as “teeth alignment.” With continuous pressure, teeth gradually shift from their original position to the desired position over time. But strict dental advice needs to be followed. Braces shouldn’t be taken off until a dentist recommends it.
However, most advanced braces like Invisalign still provide some sort of relief. But traditional metallic wire braces can make the treatment relatively rough.
6. Invisalign Is The Most Widely Used Brace
Compared to ceramic braces, metallic braces, or any other alternative, Invisalign is growing in demand. These invisible braces are in high demand for their see-through properties. They are custom-built in a laboratory through 3D modeling of the patient’s mouth.
Being BPA-free, they are also harmless to human health. And the best thing is, the wearer can remove these braces and re-install them on their teeth by themselves.
In terms of price, you can get them for the same price as standard braces. These braces can treat almost all orthodontic problems as well.
Conclusion
These are some basic facts that you must know before visiting the best orthodontist in Portland. If you have been hesitant to visit the dentist because you have a lot of questions, perhaps this article will clear things up for you. Contact an orthodontist right away to find out how accurate these facts are.
