Short Communication, Dent Health Curr Vol: 9 Issue: 1

The Science Behind Orthodontics: How Teeth Move and Align

Cohen Hyunk^*

¹Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Dong-gu, Gwangju, South Korea

*Corresponding Author: Cohen Hyunk
Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Dong-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
E-mail: cohenhyunk@chosun.kr

Received date: 22 January, 2023, Manuscript No. DHCR-23-94989;

Editor assigned date: 24 January, 2023, Pre QC. DHCR-23-94989(PQ);

Reviewed date: 15 February, 2023, QC No. DHCR-23-94989;

Revised date: 21 February, 2023, Manuscript No. DHCR-23-94989(R);

Published date: 28 February, 2023, DOI: 10.4172/2470-0886.1000145

Citation: Hyunk C (2023) The Science Behind Orthodontics: How Teeth Move and Align. Dent Health Curr 9:1.

Keywords: dental

Description

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. It is a complex field that involves an understanding of the biological processes that occur during tooth movement and alignment. Tooth movement is a complex process that involves the application of forces to teeth in order to move them through the surrounding bone. The underlying principle of orthodontics is to apply controlled and gradual forces to teeth, which causes the bone surrounding the tooth to remodel, allowing for tooth movement.

Orthodontic treatment involves the use of different types of appliances to apply forces to teeth. The most common orthodontic appliance is braces, which consist of brackets that are attached to the teeth and connected by wires. The wires are tightened periodically to apply force to the teeth, causing them to move.

To understand how teeth move, it is important to first understand the anatomy of the tooth and the surrounding bone. Teeth are attached to the bone by a fibrous tissue called the Periodontal Ligament (PDL). The PDL acts as a shock absorber, allowing the tooth to move within the bone. When force is applied to a tooth, it compresses the PDL on one side and stretches it on the other, causing the tooth to move in the direction of the applied force.

The process of tooth movement is complex and involves a number of cellular and biochemical events. When a tooth is subjected to an external force, the PDL cells are stimulated and begin to release a range of signaling molecules, including cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins. These molecules act on the bone cells, causing them to remodel the surrounding bone, allowing the tooth to move.

Orthodontic treatment can also affect the position of the jaw. The jaws are connected by the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), which is a complex joint that allows for movement of the lower jaw. During orthodontic treatment, forces can be applied to the jaws to correct malocclusions (misalignment of the teeth and jaws). This is usually done through the use of headgear, which is a device that attaches to the braces and applies force to the jaw.

The success of orthodontic treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of appliance used, the severity of the malocclusion, and the biology of the patient. Patients who have good bone density and a healthy periodontal ligament are more likely to have successful outcomes from orthodontic treatment.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of new technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of orthodontic treatment. For example, Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology can be used to produce custom orthodontic appliances, which can reduce treatment time and improve the accuracy of tooth movement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, orthodontics is a vital field in dentistry that focuses on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. The science behind orthodontics involves an understanding of the complex biological processes that occur during tooth movement and alignment, as well as the principles of applying controlled and gradual forces to teeth and jaws. Orthodontic treatment can improve the function and appearance of the teeth and jaws, which can have significant benefits for a patient's oral health and quality of life. Advances in technology are making orthodontic treatment more efficient and effective, and the field is likely to continue to evolve and improve in the future.