A person who has misaligned or crooked teeth or jaws needs the help of a trained specialist. Orthodontists from smilebar.com treat existing conditions like crowding and overbite, and are trained to detect future problems.

Most orthodontists recommend kids see an orthodontist before age 7 so any issues can be spotted and treated early. Adults may also benefit from an orthodontic treatment, provided it is tailored to their specific needs.

Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatment corrects jaw and teeth irregularities such as overbites and underbites. It also corrects twisted or crooked or trapped teeth. During a typical orthodontic visit, an orthodontist will evaluate the patient’s smile and bite, take X-rays of the mouth, create models and impressions of the teeth, and then use these details to develop an appropriate treatment plan for the individual patient.

In addition to making for a more attractive smile, a straighter smile can reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, improve chewing and swallowing functions, lessen jaw and facial tension, and provide relief from symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and headaches, as well as other physical problems like neck pain or sleep apnea. In fact, there is a growing body of research that shows a connection between oral health and overall health.

Most people seek out orthodontic treatments because they want a more attractive smile. However, there are other benefits to orthodontics that are important to consider as well. A person who is uncomfortable with their smile’s appearance may find it difficult to form relationships with others or express themselves in social situations. This can negatively impact their quality of living and lead to depression or feelings that they are inadequate. Orthodontic treatment can give people the confidence to be themselves and open up socially.

A straighter smile will also help to prolong the life of your natural teeth. This is because it reduces the risk of excessive wear due to abnormal biting and helps with digestion and nutrient absorption. This is important for those with malocclusions, which are aggravated when certain habits like thumb or finger-sucking are practiced.

Orthodontists can also address problems like difficulty breathing through the nose. This is often caused by skeletal irregularities or a bad bite. An orthodontist, by improving the alignment of teeth and jaws, can allow the full range of movement of the temporomandibular joints, which can reduce the tension in surrounding muscles and make breathing easier.

Braces

Your teeth and jaws are important in helping you pronounce words clearly. If your teeth are misaligned, it can cause problems with your speech. Braces realigning teeth and jaws improves your ability to speak clearly. It also creates a more harmonious bite which can help alleviate discomfort or pain caused by a misaligned bite. This will help you to digest food better.

One of the biggest benefits of braces, is that they prevent tooth decay. Over time, bacteria can build up in areas of the mouth that are hard to reach. Untreated, this bacterial accumulation can lead to gum diseases and tooth decay. Braces straighten your teeth and make it easier to brush and shave, reducing oral health risks.

Braces can help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease, as well as jaw bone loss. Misaligned jaws and teeth put extra pressure on the gums and bones. This pressure may cause bone erosion and soft tissue damage. Braces can relieve this pressure by aligning your teeth, jaws and face. This allows the tissues and bone to heal in new, more appropriate places.

During your orthodontic treatments, you will receive braces consisting of small metal brackets, ceramic brackets, or plastic bands that are cemented on the front of your tooth. These brackets are connected by a metal wire that the orthodontist tightens regularly. The wire exerts constant pressure on the teeth to help them move in a more suitable direction. Braces can correct misaligned or crooked teeth, overbites and underbites as well as protruding teeth, overlapping teeth and other cosmetic issues.

You will be required to attend regular follow-up appointments with your orthodontist in order to achieve the best possible results. During these visits, the orthodontist will check on the progress of your treatment and may change the shape and size of your archwire or add elastic bands. The orthodontist may also adjust the ligatures, which are elastic ties used to connect the archwire and brackets.

Retainers

Whether you have used braces or aligners to straighten your smile, you will need to wear retainers after treatment to maintain your new smile. Your orthodontist may recommend a removable retention device such as an Essix clear retainer or a Hawley wire retainer depending on your needs. Wearing your retainer every day will help you keep your new teeth in place. Over time, this will prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original crooked or misaligned positions and will also minimize the risk of gum disease.

Crowded or misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean properly, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. By wearing a retainer, you will be able to brush and floss your teeth with ease and minimize the risk of these problems. Retainers can also reduce the likelihood that your tongue will thrust forward, which could lead to a misaligned jaw and teeth grinding.

Wearing a retainer ensures that the roots of the teeth remain in their new position, preventing the natural tendency of the teeth to return to their original misaligned positions. This is known as orthodontic relapse and will cause your teeth to take longer to stabilize in their new positions. By wearing a retaining device, you can avoid the problem and continue to enjoy the benefits of a straightened smile.

Retainers Are Custom-Made Appliances

To create a retention device, your orthodontist uses dental putty which is similar to playing dough. They will then check that the retainer fits properly in your mouth. They may have to adjust the shape of your retainer in order to make it comfortable and fit well.

Retainers are available in a variety of colors and styles to suit your tastes. They can be decorated to enhance the smile and make you stand out!

You should make an appointment as soon as you can with your orthodontist if your retainer is lost, damaged, or broken. They can replace your retainer quickly so you can continue to benefit from your orthodontic treatment.

Treatment For Children

Orthodontic treatment for children is usually recommended when there are abnormalities in the jaw and teeth. These problems include crowded, gapped or crooked or misaligned teeth, as well as a shifting or misaligned bite. In some cases, breathing and speech problems can also occur. Some of these problems are easier to address in childhood, and the earlier they are addressed, the better the results will be. Orthodontic treatments can help guide adult teeth to their correct positions, strengthen the jaw and mouth structure, and prevent future dental issues.

Early on, a good orthodontist can assess the child’s bite and smile to determine if they need orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists advises that children undergo an orthodontic evaluation at the age of seven. At this age, many kids have only a few of their permanent teeth in. However, it is easier for orthodontists to spot problems during this in-between phase of baby teeth and permanent teeth.

Early orthodontic treatment can reduce the need for future more extensive or invasive procedures. Correcting an overcrowded or overlapped tooth problem early on can prevent the necessity of extractions later. Additionally, addressing a shifting bite early on can help to prevent the need for more complicated procedures such as jaw surgery.

Early orthodontic treatment also helps to reduce speech and swallowing issues. It is easier to speak and chew when the jaws and teeth align properly. This can have a positive effect on a child’s self-confidence and overall development. It can even make it easier to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine that reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease in the future.

An orthodontist can also work with children to break bad habits such as thumb sucking, which can interfere with the growth and alignment of teeth. This can have long-term effects, and an orthodontist may recommend the use of habit-breaking appliances to discourage thumb sucking and other poor oral habits that can damage teeth and affect the jaw and facial structures.