Orthodontists in Kenya

The need for orthodontists in Kenya cannot be over-emphasized. That is because too many people have poorly aligned teeth, which is a terrible sight when smiling. You might be aware that your teeth look and appear crooked, out of line, or have too large spaces between them, but you probably don’t know what you can do to reverse the situation. That’s when you need an orthodontist to help and try to reverse the situation.

In this article, you will learn about why you need an orthodontist, the tools used in orthodontics, the benefits of orthodontic treatment, and where to get the best orthodontic services in the country. In short, the article is a tell-it-all about orthodontics. Keep reading for the best insights on the topic.

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the straightening and aligning of teeth. An orthodontist will, therefore, help in the repositioning of teeth and jaw. A common term you will come across while dealing with orthodontists is malocclusions. Malocclusion means teeth that are not aligned properly, which is the common reason for most orthodontists’ referrals.

Why You Need an Orthodontist

According to dentists at Royal Smiles Dental Clinic, the following are some of the reasons why you may need orthodontic treatment:

• You have crowded teeth. Crowded teeth are among the most unsightly things anyone can see in your mouth when you smile. Teeth look overcrowded when they are poorly aligned or some of them are too large for the mouth. Apart from the bad appearance these teeth give to your mouth, they will also make you have a poor bite. The most notorious teeth in overcrowding are the upper canines.
• You have an open bite. An open bite is when the upper front teeth do not touch the lower front teeth when you clench. That leads to insufficient chewing.
• You have an overbite. An overbite is when the front teeth do not match, with the lower front teeth touching the roof of the mouth. It leads to serious problems like palate damage, gum damage, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
• You have a crossbite. A crossbite is when a majority of the teeth in your mouth do not meet. It will lead to poor appearance, insufficient chewing, and the teeth will erode each other.
• You have an overjet. It is when the front upper teeth protrude from your mouth. It can be caused by excessive thumb and finger sucking, especially for children. It may also be caused by uneven jawbone growth. Here in Kenya, the Kalenjin community is most known for this problem.
• You have a reverse overjet. It is when the front lower teeth protrude beyond the upper jaw. It gives you a bad appearance and can also lead to worn-out teeth.
• You have unnaturally spaced teeth. The spacing of your teeth may also be larger than usual. That happens due to poorly developed, smaller, or missing teeth.

Problems Resulting From Misaligned Teeth

The following are some of the problems that may arise if you fail to seek orthodontic treatment when necessary:

• Tooth decay and gum diseases. Overcrowded teeth are very hard to clean which gives bacteria room for multiplication and hence tooth decay and gum diseases.
• Gum injuries. Failure of corresponding teeth to meet properly creates the risk of a tooth digging into the opposite jaw which will result in injury to the gums.
• Difficulty in chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
• Increased likelihood of trauma or injury to the teeth that stick out. That is especially during sports or in case of a fall.
• Increased teeth wear and tear. When your teeth don’t meet properly, they will wear each other down more rapidly than normal.
• Decreased self-confidence. Crooked and misaligned teeth will make you think twice before opening your mouth, either talking or smiling. That is because the sight that meets the eye is not pleasing. At that point, you will be afraid to freely interact with others, which erodes your confidence around people.

How Orthodontic Problems are Diagnosed

As you know, many dental procedures need a careful and thorough check by your dentist before a proper diagnosis is made and a good treatment plan is formulated. Below are the ways an orthodontist will use to determine problems with your teeth and jaw alignment:

Visual examination. Most misaligned teeth and jaws are visible after a careful look at the patient’s face. An orthodontist will be able to tell when your misalignment is pronounced. That is especially the case for overjet and reverse overjet problems.

X-rays and dental scans. When a problem is not visible, an orthodontist will use x-rays and dental scans to have a thorough look at your mouth and teeth. It is necessary when the problem concerns the back hidden teeth like the molars and the premolars.

Dental impressions. To get a good look at your bite, the orthodontist may get a dental impression that will provide a clear imprint of your teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures.

There is no specific way needed to diagnose malocclusions, and orthodontists may use a combination of the various methods in order to arrive at the best conclusion possible and formulate a good treatment plan for you.

Orthodontic Treatment Options Available to You

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the following are the available orthodontic treatment options available to you after booking an appointment with your dentist:

1. Braces

Braces are the most common method of dealing with, misaligned teeth. There are different types of braces, and the following are the main ones:

• Traditional braces. They are comprised of brackets that are affixed to teeth and wires that are threaded through slots in the brackets.  Some patients may also have metal bands encircling back teeth.  Wires are held to brackets by tiny rubber bands called “ligatures” or “o-rings.”  Brackets are generally made of stainless steel.  Wires are made of metal alloys and deliver a constant, gentle force to move teeth.
• Traditional-coloured braces. They are tooth-coloured, making them seem invisible. They are affixed to teeth, and wires are threaded through slots in the brackets. Wires are held to brackets by tiny rubber bands called “ligatures” or “o-rings.” Brackets are made of ceramic or porcelain materials. Wires are made of metal alloys and deliver a constant, gentle force to move teeth.
• Self-ligating ceramic braces. They are tooth-coloured, making them next to invisible.  They are affixed to teeth, and wires are threaded through slots in the brackets.  Built-in clips hold the wires to the brackets.  Brackets are made of ceramic or porcelain materials.  Wires are made of metal alloys and deliver a constant, gentle force to move teeth.
• Self-ligating metal braces. They are comprised of brackets that are affixed to teeth and wires that are threaded through slots in the brackets.  Some patients may also have metal bands encircling back teeth.  Built-in clips hold the wires to the brackets.  Metal brackets are generally made of stainless steel.  Wires are made of metal alloys and deliver a constant, gentle force to move teeth.

2. Clear aligners

Clear aligners are also used in orthodontic treatment. Aligners are clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth. Patients are responsible for putting in and removing their aligners. A series of aligners are created to move teeth. Each aligner is worn for 2-3 weeks and moves teeth a fraction of a millimetre at a time. Patients must remove aligners for meals and when brushing/flossing. The number of aligners needed to correct misaligned teeth varies based on the individual’s orthodontic problem and its correction.

3. Archwires

In orthodontic treatment, archwires fit into the slots in brackets and move the teeth. There are two types of archwires, round and rectangular archwires:

• Round archwires. When viewed in cross-section, the shape of the wire is round. Round archwires are often used in earlier stages of orthodontic treatment to level and align teeth. Archwires fit into the slots in brackets and actually the teeth.
• Rectangular archwires. When viewed in cross-section, the shape of a rectangular archwire is rectangular–square on both ends with a long segment in between.  Rectangular archwires are often used in later stages of orthodontic treatment to control and refine tooth movement.

4. Clear retainers

Clear retainers are clear, thin, slightly flexible, and made of a plastic-like material. They fit the exact shape and placement of the teeth. Not only are there removable retainers, but there are also fixed retainers. Both types of retainers hold teeth in their new positions after active orthodontic treatment is completed. This allows the newly formed bone to harden around the teeth.

Wearing retainers as instructed is the key to maintaining the success of orthodontic treatment. Patients may be advised to wear retainers full-time for the first six months after active treatment ends, with subsequent wear time reduced to night-time only. When not in the mouth, removable retainers should be kept in the case provided by the orthodontist.

5. Elastics

Elastics are tiny rubber bands that apply extra force to a tooth or teeth in ways that braces alone cannot so that teeth move into their ideal positions. Tiny hooks on selected upper and lower brackets as used as attachment points.  The configuration of the elastics can be vertical or diagonal, depending on the individual’s need. 

Patients are responsible for placing and removing their elastics.  Elastics should be worn as prescribed by the orthodontist. Do not wear more elastics than prescribed. Doing so places excessive force on the teeth and can be harmful.

6. Surgery

Corrective surgery can also be performed as a form of orthodontic treatment. It is used to correct a severe overbite or underbite when all other treatment options have failed. Wires, surgical screws, or plates are used to either shorten or lengthen the jaw bone. Although corrective surgery in orthodontic treatment is a lengthy and expensive process compared to the options, it has distinct advantages in that:

• It will make chewing, biting, and speaking a lot easier.
• It will greatly enhance your facial appearance hence making you look better.
• It reduces the pain in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
• It separates crowded teeth making them easier to clean.

Risks of Orthodontic Treatment

With all the benefits that come with successful orthodontic treatment, the patient still faces some risks. The following are the most prominent:

• Poor dental hygiene. With braces and other orthodontic tools used for malocclusions, some parts of the teeth may not be reachable when cleaning your teeth. That means there is an increased risk of dental decay and gum diseases for the period the tools are worn. To avoid that, orthodontists urge you to clean your mill after every meal.
• Gum injury. Some orthodontic tools like braces may dig into the gums and cause injuries.
• Relapse. The moved teeth may resume their original position after the braces are removed. That means that the whole process does not yield the desired results. To avoid that, patients are urged to wear retainers for at least six months after the braces have been removed.

FAQs About Orthodontists in Kenya

Parting Shot

Orthodontics is a necessary procedure for those who have severely misaligned teeth or jaws. That is because it will go a long way in improving your facial appearance, which will greatly boost your confidence. Remember that orthodontic treatment needs a lot of dedication and commitment for the process to be successful. That is because the process may take very long, with some treatments going for several years. You should, therefore, be mentally prepared before embarking on the treatment.

Here in Kenya, just like all other dental procedures, you will need experts and professionals when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Remember that in dentistry, the expertise of your dentist determines more than 90% of the success or failure of any procedure. Royal Smiles Dental Clinic go-to dental service provider in the country. You can book an appointment here or you can visit one of the below-mentioned branches for all your orthodontic needs.

Greenspan Branch Greenspan Area (Donholm Phase 8 ) Opposite Greenspan Mall Gate A.

Embakasi Branch Somo Plaza, Embakasi.

Garden City Branch Garden City Business Park, 1st Floor, Block A, Suite A-103 Thika Road.

Ruaka Branch Ruaka Square Mall 4th Floor, Suite 409, Kiambu County.

Dandora Branch Dandora.

Kitengela Branch Wandu House Second Floor.

Machakos Branch Machakos Doctors Plaza, Ground Floor, Machakos Town.

Nakuru Branch CK Patel Building 5th Floor, Suite 5A, Nakuru Town.