Crooked teeth: Part IV

What is the difference between Orthodontics and Maxillary Orthopedics?

Orthodontics can be interceptive or corrective. The first one is generally realized with removable dental devices with hooks, screws and springs. When the misalignments are slight the treatment with these kinds of devices can be done by a specialist in Infantile Orthodontics or orthodontist, and in some simple cases, by the general dentist.

The corrective Orthodontics is realized with fixed devices, each of them have a precise indication and a determined age, while the Maxillary Orthopedics or Functional Orthopedics of the maxillaries is used when there is a bone deficiency. The devices used are more complex, most of them removable that’ stimulate the muscular/bone changes inhibiting or stimulating the maxillary growth. These types of devices require a lot of professional attention, since a misguided growth will produce a life-time malformation. The latter must be controlled by the specialist only.