Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. The word itself comes from the Greek words orthos (meaning straight or correct) and odontos (meaning tooth).While general dentists focus on overall oral health, decay, and gum disease, orthodontists are specialists who focus specifically on alignment and bite function.

Orthodontic treatment corrects anomalies known as malocclusions (bad bites), which include:

• Crowding: Not enough space in the jaw for teeth to fit normally.

• Spacing: Large gaps or spaces between teeth.

• Overbite: The upper front teeth overlap excessively over the lower front teeth.

• Underbite: The lower teeth extend past or sit in front of the upper front teeth.

• Crossbite: Upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down.