Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that focuses on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. Orthodontics can be done with braces, clear aligners, or in some cases, without any appliance at all! It’s a good idea to see an orthodontist because they are experts in the field and can recommend what type of treatment is best for you.
What do they do?
An orthodontist will look at the teeth, jaws, bite, and head position of an individual’s face before deciding what type of treatment is needed. Depending on their findings, they may recommend braces, aligners (a less intrusive option that uses clear plastic trays), direct tooth movement by use of gum tissue manipulation or jaw surgery, as well as other treatments such as Invisalign (Clear Aligners) which tend to work better for more severe cases with many problems requiring much more time using traditional methods.
What does it involve?
There are four phases: the diagnosis – assessment of the teeth, jaws, and head position; treatment planning – deciding on the best course of action to correct any problems found during diagnosis phase; implementation – fitting braces or aligners for adults and children respectively with an orthodontist’s help if needed; maintenance- keeping up with regular checkups.
The first step is a thorough examination by an orthodontist who will look at your teeth, jaw alignment (the lower jaw may be forward in some cases), bite, and head posture before deciding what type of treatment would work best for you.
How does it work?
Orthodontics works by using teeth and jaws as a starting point, then moves them into place with appliances such as braces or aligners, which move your teeth millimeters at a time until you’re whole mouth has been straightened out.
Why do people need it?
People may need orthodontic care if their mouths don’t line up properly when they bite together or if one jaw grows more than the other during childhood, leading to pain, headaches, excessive wear on some molars over others, difficulty chewing food well crowding of teeth.
You should see an orthodontist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- bite problems
- problems chewing food well
- excessive wear on some teeth over others
If you have any of these symptoms or have been told by your dentist that you need orthodontic care, then don’t wait – contact your orthodontist and schedule an appointment!
Who needs it?
Orthodontics is for everyone and anyone. It’s a safe way to ensure that teeth are aligned with jaws, prevent future dental problems, and improve self-esteem and confidence.
The benefits of orthodontics
For one thing, it improves a person’s self-esteem and confidence in their appearance. It also stops the teeth from wearing down prematurely or causing chronic pain to individual jaw joints and preventing other dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
- Standard benefits:
- Straighten and realign your teeth to look their best.
- Fix crowded teeth or gaps in between them.
- Emotional benefits:
- Have a confident smile that you can be proud of.
- Feel more self-confident when speaking in public.