Nigerian Orthodontists offer help for citizens with irregular teeth structure

The Nigerian Association of Orthodontists Wednesday pledged support for citizens with irregular teeth positioning.

This is coming particularly in the present low awareness by the populace concerning seeking attention on improving position of teeth and correcting any malocclusion (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed).

This is a special field of dentistry that seeks to improve the position of teeth and correct any malocclusion. Also, the orthodontists use devices such as braces to straighten teeth, correct problems with bite, close gaps between teeth and align lips and teeth properly.

Data from the professional body show that there are less than 40 orthodontists in Nigeria with a population of about 170 million people, which they say the government at various levels must show willingness to address by training and encouraging more professionals in the field.

According to Ifeoma Utomi, president, Nigerian Association of Orthodontists, “Many big CEOs go to the United Kingdom and other advanced countries to address this challenge. Many of them delegate someone at important conferences to represent them, because they have this problem which could be adequately addressed here.”

Utomi, who spoke at the Annual Scientific Conference of the Association, with the theme, “Smile Aesthetics and Psychosocial wellbeing” in Abuja, said: “Studies have shown that about 50-80 percent of Nigerians have this problem of their teeth and jaws not well arranged, and they seem to hide themselves in low esteem. We are encouraging them to come out even as we urge the government to train more orthodontists.”

The number of patients who actually present themselves for orthodontic assessment is much lower than expected when compared with the reported prevalence of malocclusion in the country.

“Furthermore, there is generally paucity of data on orthodontic awareness in the Nigerian population. With a population of over 170 million people and a relatively low number of orthodontists, there is need to devise programmes and strategies that translate to positive outcomes,” she said.

Speaking along the same vein, Patrick Williams, an orthodontist expert, said: “The orthodontists could use the braces – a kind of metal appliance worn by adults and the children to correct the crooked tooth. There are lots of adults who developed low self-esteem because of this challenge and we are telling them to come out as we are prepared to address their challenge.”

Experts believe that there are psychological and physical benefits of good set of teeth, which increase self-confidence and self-esteem, in addition to increasing quality of life.

They maintain that it preserves attention, concentration and memory, and has been further found to lower the risk of cardiac disorders, reduce risk of inflammation, reduce risk of trauma, or injury to protruded front teeth.