Orthodontic treatment is often carried out for dental health indications; that is, there is a need for the treatment which benefits the health of the teeth.

 

Certain positions of the teeth may be detrimental to the health of the dentition itself, or the soft tissues and gum and supporting structures of teeth.

 

If treatment is carried out in children who have a dental health indication for treatment then irreversible damage to the teeth and supporting structures can be avoided before it occurs.

 

In adults the damage may have already occurred and the treatment is carried out to prevent the situtation from getting worse, and/or to save the teeth before they are lost.