- Orthodontics became a specialty in dentistry 1900 by Edward H. Angle. This means orthodontics has been around for 122 years! Angle was the first orthodontist and was also the first person to make his dental practice strictly orthodontics. He also started the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), which is a membership for orthodontists only.
- The word orthodontics is of Greek origin. Ortho means to correct or straighten, Dont means tooth. When put together the word orthodontics is formed meaning "straight teeth".
- Teeth move in response to pressure. Some pressure is good but other pressure can be harmfu- when a child sucks their thumb or pushes their tongue against the teeth. This will cause an open bite. Orthodontic appliances such as braces, aligners and expanders align teeth with safe pressure.
- NASA created a metal that is used for braces. The thin, flexible nickel-titanium (Niti) wires used were made by the space program. This material is thin, flexible and extremely strong!
- Power chains are the elastic rubber bands that are all connected and apply more force to an area. The power chains are used to close spaces between teeth.
- Dr. Azizi is a Penn Dental Medicine graduate of the Orthodontic department, an Ivy League university. He continually updates his education to provide the best and most effective care to his patients. Additionally, Dr. Azizi has served as Director and Professor of Orthodontics for more than 20 years at Temple University School of Dentistry, where he helped shape the next generations of orthodontists.
