Explaining What Orthodontists Do
Orthodontists can correct jaw and teeth misalignment. Whether it’s an overbite, underbite, or large spaces between the teeth (called diastema), orthodontic treatment can make your smile look better and improve your health by improving chewing and speaking abilities.
Identifying Issues
Orthodontists can identify and correct teeth and jaw issues that are either cosmetic or serious enough for them to cause other problems. Misaligned teeth or bites can cause problems with speech, chewing, and even dental problems such as tooth decay and gum diseases. Many orthodontic issues are easily detectable and treatable.
Uneven bites are a common sign that it’s the right time to visit an orthodontist. Overbites can affect how people speak, eat and interact with others. They can also cause gum disease and tooth decay, by putting excessive pressure on teeth and making them susceptible to damage.
Another common indicator of a need to see an orthodontist is crowded teeth. Overcrowding is usually a result of not having enough space in the mouth for adult teeth to align properly with existing teeth. This can make it difficult to clean your teeth, increasing the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.
Orthodontists have been trained to recognize subtle signs of misalignment as well as the obvious ones. Children who use pacifiers or thumbsuckers after the age four can cause jaw growth to be stunted and alter the roof of the mouth. This can lead to misaligned molars later in life.
During a consultation, orthodontists conduct a clinical examination to visually inspect the teeth and jaw alignment of the patient. They may also perform X-rays or 3D scans to determine the state of a patient’s oral hygiene and the severity and extent of any problems. These diagnostic tools can be especially useful in assessing the treatment needs of children, as orthodontists are able to address minor issues before they become more serious.
Treatment Of Issues
Orthodontists can fix a variety of issues with teeth and the jaws. Some of these may be cosmetic, while others may be indicative of serious oral health problems. Untreated crooked teeth can cause gum disease and chewing difficulties. These issues can also lead to breathing problems and make it hard to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Orthodontists have a number of options to address these problems, including braces or aligners. Depending on the severity of the problem, they may also perform surgery. Orthodontists see a variety of orthodontic problems, including overcrowding and crossbites. Overcrowding can be caused by a discrepancy in the size between the teeth and the jawbone. This can lead to overlapping, twisted, or displaced teeth. Braces or clear aligners can be used to treat overcrowding.
Underbites occur when the lower teeth are placed further forward than upper teeth. This can lead to difficulty in speaking and chewing. In addition to these functional issues, underbites can also impact the shape of the face which can negatively affect self-confidence and appearance. Underbites may also cause temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which can cause facial discomfort and headaches.
A crossbite occurs when upper and lower teeth are at different angles. This can make it difficult to chew and speak properly. Untreated, a crossbite may also lead to tooth decay.
Lingual braces can be used to correct a crossbite because they are fixed on the inside surface of teeth, making them less noticeable. Orthodontists will often recommend that in severe cases, one or more teeth be removed or surgery is used to correct a crossbite.
Orthodontists enjoy a high degree of job satisfaction, despite the fact that they have to devote a lot of time and effort. This is due to their autonomy and flexibility in their practice, which allows them the freedom to create customized treatments plans that will improve patient outcomes. Orthodontists also constantly learn new techniques and technology, which keeps them on the cutting edge.
Braces
Braces are an important step in the journey to healthy teeth. You will want to take your time to select a good orthodontist and understand the procedure involved in getting braces. The orthodontist can assess your teeth, jaw structure and diagnose you before making any recommendations. They will also tell you how to buy braces if necessary.
Most people have their general dentist refer them to an orthodontist. However, you can also find one on your own by doing some research online. Once you have found an orthodontist in your area, you can schedule a consultation. During a consultation, you can ask questions and learn about the various treatment choices. You will also be able to get a price estimate from your orthodontist at this stage.
Once you’ve decided to get braces, you will schedule an installation appointment. Before this happens, be sure to stock up on braces-friendly food and oral care products like toothbrushes and mouthwash. You may also want to buy over-the-counter pain relief, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, just in case.
When you go in to have your braces installed, the orthodontist will take a mold of your teeth and then use this to create a mockup of how your final result will look. After this, they’ll clean the surface of your teeth and then apply a special adhesive or bonding agent to each bracket. Once the brackets are bonded, they’ll pass an arch wire through each of them and install ligatures to keep the arch wire in place.
It may sound easy, but straightening your teeth is a lot of work. This is because it takes time for the teeth to move, and for the bones in your mouth to resorb or form new bone as they’re moved. You’ll likely wear your braces for between one and three years, followed by a period of wearing a retainer.
There are many financing options for orthodontic treatments, despite their high cost. You can discuss payment plans with your orthodontist and find out if you are covered by insurance. You can also look into non-profit organizations who help low-income families pay for dental care.
Getting Invisalign
Invisalign is virtually invisible and unlike traditional braces with wires and bands, which can cause discomfort. Invisalign may not be suitable for severe problems such as a deep overbite but it can treat most issues.
Invisalign is a treatment that involves a series clear, removable aligners. These aligners gradually move your teeth to their correct positions. The aligners are custom-fitted for each patient. You will have to replace them about every two weeks. The treatment is faster than traditional braces because there is no need to tighten wires or repair broken brackets. You will need to brush and floss your teeth before you put on each new set of trays.
Remember to grip your aligners firmly when you put them on. If they’re not firmly in place, it can be difficult to pull them off. To increase your grip, use a thick piece or kitchen paper. This method can also be used if your teeth have attachments that make it difficult to remove the trays.
Store your Invisalign aligners correctly. You can lose, steal, step on, or even contaminate them if you leave them out. Storing your aligners correctly will help them look their best and give you a straighter, more beautiful smile.
Invisalign has become a popular option for straightening teeth. It is a cost-effective alternative to traditional braces that can be used to correct many common orthodontic issues. The only downside is that it may take longer to correct a complex issue than traditional braces.
Whether you have an overbite or underbite, Invisalign can correct it quickly and comfortably. Adults who want to improve the appearance of their smiles, but lack the time or funds for traditional braces will find Invisalign a great option. After Invisalign, you will need to wear retainers in order to prevent your tooth from shifting back into its original position. The good news is that there are many options for Invisalign retainers, and your orthodontist can recommend the right one for you.
