Christine Chruscicki, age 8, of Utica, N.Y., for her question:

WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?

Orthodontics is that selected area of dentistry that is concerned with the detection, study, correction and prevention of irregularities in the position of teeth. The special dentist who performs orthodontic diagnosis and treatments is called an orthodontist.

These days, especially, more and more children are being given  a chance to get to know orthodontists. Teeth may be crooked and irregular because of heredity, early loss cf first teeth or dietary disorders. Too often children cannot outgrow these irregularities, and orthodontists with braces are just the people who can solve the problems. Braces move the teeth by applying gentle pressure on them.