If your teeth are crooked, crowded or if they protrude in a way that affects you look, then your teeth most likely require orthodontics. Keep in mind that the way your teeth fit together can often affect the way you bite and be more difficult to clean which could lead to other oral health problems.
This treatment will straighten your teeth so they look and work better. It might even help your face look better as it helps your jaw muscles function properly. Orthodontic treatment will use braces or other appliances to place gentle pressure on your teeth so they eventually move into the right place.
You might require orthodontics if the position of your teeth are wrong which affects the jaw and general well being of your dental health. If you'd possibly had habits such as thumb-sucking it could have "moved them out of place" or created a "crooked teeth". Even simple genetics could factor in. If you lost a tooth and teeth left over might have "fitted" next to each other creating a crookedness.
No matter the reasoning, your dentist or orthodontist can treat:
It is important to treat these type of issues right away because when teeth are crowded, crooked or protruding, they can make you unhappy with your appearance. It can cause depression due to being unable to smile because of your teeth.
Teeth are not aligned properly can affect your bite. This can cause difficulty when chewing certain foods and will cause the tooth to wear down. It can also cause muscle tension and pain, as well as migraines.
Crowded and crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean and in perfect condition. Cavities and gum disease tend to plague those that have crooked or crowded teeth. Also, teeth that stick out are more likely to be chipped or broken.
Some problems get treated immediately before all the adult (or permanent) teeth come in. Your dentist or orthodontist can do screenings to find out if a child will have orthodontic problems. Screenings can take place by the age of 7, by doing it that early on, we are able to intercept a problem as it develops as opposed to it already being developed.
There are a number of ways of treating orthodontic issues. A dentist or orthodontist will outline which method is best suitable for you. However, here is a list of them for your own reference.
Braces - a bracket or band that is attached to each tooth, cement or bonding material is used to attach the bracket, the arch wire will fit into all the brackets, brackets can be clear, tooth-coloured or multi-coloured. Dentists might suggest other treatments before, during or after braces are put in.
Headgear is often used to treat orthodontic issues. This will help guide the direction of tooth movement and or jaw growth in someone who is still growing (a child). Headgear can be worn before braces are applied or during any part of the orthodontic treatment. There are several different types of headgear. Most often the patient will insert the headgear and wear it during the evening and at night.
Using removable appliances are not as precise as braces but they can affect the movement of a group of teeth. They're usually used before braces are put on, while braces are worn or on their own to treat specific problems.
Retainers are great and are usually worn all the day or only certain parts o the day, most often at night. Retainers keep teeth in the right place once braces have been removed. Retainers can be attached to the teeth or they can be removable.
Oral surgery is typically a last resort. This is usually the case if a tooth needs to be removed and the teeth are overcrowded or if a tooth (teeth) is badly out of position. Jaw surgery might be needed when there are major differences in the size of the positioning of your upper and lower jaw. It helps the upper and lower jaw realign. If your orthodontist thinks you need surgery, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon.
To ensure successful treatment - make sure you follow your doctor's advice through each treatment. Avoiding discomfort is never easy and each treatment does come with its own risk of side effects. Simply follow all the right directions to avoid any discomfort. Treatments do take time. How long the time spent is and the type of problem would be dependent on your age and how seriously you take your treatment. Visits to the dentist or orthodontist are usually every 4 to 7 weeks over a period of 6 to 12 months.
Take care of your teeth! Brushing and flossing might take longer now especially if you have braces but take your time. Food is more likely to get stuck around the brackets and you need to clean thoroughly to ensure a successful treatment. Dentists will teach you how to brush and floss using floss threaders. If you have braces, try to not bite hard on things as ice cube, nuts or pencils. Don't chew sticky foods like gum (sugar or sugar-free) or toffee. These things can loosen brackets and pull them off your teeth and your treatment would get extended as a result.
