Orthodontics, also called orthognatodontics, is that particular branch of dentistry that studies the various anomalies of the constitution, development and position of the maxillary teeth and bones. Its aim is to prevent, eliminate or mitigate these abnormalities by maintaining or reporting the mastication organs and the facial profile in the most correct position possible. Orthodontic practice basically consists of two types of therapies that very often are consequential.
- Surgical therapy: it is carried out by extracting those teeth that get in the way of the alignment and the articulation of the other teeth or the correct dento-facial position.
- Mechanical therapy: it is performed by the construction of different types of instruments that can be subdivided into:
- Active devices: they act directly with their force when are activated (example: devices with screws, bows, springs, etc.)
- Passive devices: they use the masticatory forces as themselves are inactive (example: vestibular plate, inclined plane, etc.)