Metal braces are not a modern-day concept. They were discovered early to be used to straighten and fix teeth. Do you hide your smile sometimes? Do you have a misaligned bite, or is it causing problems? Whatever the reason is, one shouldn’t suffer from bad teeth.
We’ve come a long way from traditional braces to Invisalign braces. This means clear and removable teeth aligners are used to achieve your desired smile and correct any dental issues.
Do either you or your child need your teeth fixed for orthodontic reasons? Keep reading this article to learn about the different reasons for orthodontic treatment.
What is Orthodontic Treatment?
This branch of dentistry deals with correcting the jaws and teeth that aren’t positioned properly. Misaligned teeth and jaw cause problems, including periodontal disease, tooth decay, TMJ disorders, headaches and achy jaw muscles.
What are the Reasons for Orthodontic Treatment?
There are several symptoms that orthodontics can treat. They include:
Crowded Teeth
It’s very common for a person to have many teeth for the size of their mouth. Overlapping teeth are not attractive and can cause cavities. It’s even more difficult to clean your teeth when they are crowded. In addition, the reduced space between the teeth causes food to get tartar, stuck, and plaque build-up leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Underbite, Crossbite, Open Bite and Overbite
If you have a bite that’s not right, it can also damage your gum tissue and teeth. But do you know the type of bite that you have?
- An underbite is when the bottom line of your teeth is in front of your upper line. An underbite weakens your teeth and leads to speech difficulties.
- Crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth instead of outside. This condition cause chipping in your teeth and gum receding.
- An open bite occurs when your lower and upper teeth don’t meet.
- An overbite is when your teeth on top close too far in front of your lower teeth. It causes difficulty in biting and chewing certain food items.
All bite problems can be corrected with orthodontics in Waterdown, ON and are done for good dental health.
Correct Effects of Finger or Thumb Sucking
Finger or thumb sucking that extends the baby stage leads to misalignment problems. It also keeps the teeth from moving into the proper position.
Close Gaps
When you have gaps in two or more teeth, it leads to spacing issues. The gaps occur when one has lost a tooth, or their teeth are small compared to the size of their mouth. Correcting the gaps is more than a cosmetic issue. The excess space causes food to be caught between the teeth and gums, causing pain and gum disease.
Help Teeth Come in the Right Position
From X-rays, your dentist at Waterdown Smiles Dentistry will tell if your teeth will erupt in the right or wrong position. Early orthodontic treatment helps guide the teeth to where they are supposed to be.
Prevent Tooth Decay
You promote good oral health by keeping your teeth clean. If your teeth are in an improper position, it’s more difficult to brush the areas that are hard to reach. This leads to premature decay and cavities.
Correct Jaw Problems
Do you experience jaw aches that cause headaches? A misaligned can cause several problems such as headaches, muscle spasms, tiredness, lockjaw, and sinus pain. Braces aren’t just for making one look better.
What is the Purpose of Orthodontic Treatment?
The goal of this treatment is to create a healthy and functional bite. The site is part jaw position and part tooth alignment. When your teeth and jaws line up correctly, they can function properly. This helps promote oral health and general physical health. Orthodontic treatment also provides an attractive smile.
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
The type of treatment one receives dictates how long the treatment will take. In general, orthodontic treatment takes from six months to three years. Active treatment is the time you’ll wear your aligners or braces.
When you complete the active treatment, you’ll begin the retention stage. During this stage, your dentist in Waterdown, ON will prescribe removable retainers. This is to ensure your teeth remain in their new and right position. As long as you clean and wear your retainers as directed, your teeth will never return to their improper alignment.
