Do I Need To See An Orthodontist?

If you’re considering whether or not to see an orthodontist, here are a few reasons why you should definitely make the appointment. From improving your smile to making it easier to brush and floss your teeth, orthodontic treatment can make a big difference in your oral health. And who doesn’t want a healthy, beautiful smile?

Reasons to see an orthodontist

Although many people associate orthodontists with kids and teenagers, more and more adults are seeking out orthodontic treatment. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, 1 in 5 orthodontic patients is over the age of 18. There are many reasons why you might need to see an orthodontist, even as an adult. Here are just a few:

You’re Not Happy with the Way Your Teeth Look
If you’re not happy with the way your teeth look, it could be impacting your self-esteem. An orthodontist can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Your Teeth are Crooked or Overcrowded
If your teeth are crooked or overcrowded, it could be difficult to properly clean them. This could lead to tooth decay or gum disease. An orthodontist can help straighten your teeth so that they’re easier to clean.

You Have a Bad Bite
If you have a bad bite (also called malocclusion), it means that your upper and lower jaws don’t line up correctly when you bite down. This can cause a number of problems, including pain in your jaw joints (known as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD), gum disease, and difficulty chewing or speaking properly. An orthodontist can help correct a bad bite so that you can avoid these problems.

You Want to Improve Your Oral Health
Orthodontic treatment can improve your oral health by making it easier to brush and floss your teeth properly. This can help reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.

You Have TMD/Jaw Pain

If you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) or jaw pain, orthodontic treatment may be able to help alleviate symptoms by correcting alignment issues in your bite.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontics is not just about creating a beautiful smile. There are many important reasons to seek orthodontic treatment, even beyond the obvious aesthetic benefits. Here are just a few:

-Improved oral health: Orthodontic treatment can improve your bite and make it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean. This can lead to better overall oral health.

-Prevention of future problems: Orthodontic treatment can help prevent more serious dental problems from developing in the future. This includes things like tooth decay, gum disease, and uneven wear on the teeth.

-Boosted self-esteem and confidence: A beautiful smile can do wonders for your self-esteem and confidence. It can also make you feel better about yourself in general. If you’re unhappy with your smile, orthodontic treatment can help you love the way you look.

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, be sure to consult with a qualified orthodontist to see if it’s right for you.

The types of orthodontic treatment available

Many people think that orthodontic treatment is just for kids, but this is not the case. In fact, Orthodontists are trained to treat patients of all ages. The most common type of orthodontic treatment is braces, but there are also other options available, such as clear aligners (Invisalign), palatal expanders, and headgear.

Orthodontic treatment can be used to treat a wide variety of dental problems, including:

  • malocclusion (“bad bite”)
  • crowding of teeth
  • spacing of teeth
  • improper jaw alignment
  • overbite
  • underbite
  • Crossbite

How to choose the right orthodontist

The best way to find an orthodontist is to ask your regular dentist for a referral. They will be familiar with the quality of work of the orthodontists in your area and can make a recommendation based on your specific needs. You can also ask friends or family members who have had braces for their opinion. Once you have a few names, you can start doing your research.

When you are looking for an orthodontist, there are a few things you should take into account. You want to find someone who is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, which is the gold standard in the industry. You also want to find someone who has experience treating patients of all ages and who has a good reputation in the community. Finally, you want to find an orthodontist who uses the latest technology and techniques so that you can get the best possible results.

The cost of orthodontic treatment

While the cost of orthodontic treatment can be a major concern for patients and their families, it’s important to remember that this is an investment in your child’s smile – and their self-confidence. At our practice, we offer a variety of payment options to make treatment more affordable.

We also believe that every patient deserves a beautiful smile, which is why we offer discounts for treatment rendered within a certain time frame. In addition, we offer a discount for patients who begin treatment before they reach the age of 18.

The orthodontic treatment process

The orthodontic treatment process generally includes the following steps:

  1. A thorough examination of your mouth, teeth, and jaws
  2. X-rays and/or photographs of your teeth and jaws
  3. Impressions (molds) of your teeth
  4. Discussing the orthodontic problem and proposed treatment with you
  5. Development of a customized treatment plan
  6. Placement of braces on your teeth (or other appliances, as needed)
  7. Regular adjustment appointments to progress through the treatment plan
  8. Removal of braces (or other appliances) once treatment is completed

The risks and side effects of orthodontic treatment

While most people think of orthodontic treatment as a way to improve their smile, it’s also important for the overall health of your teeth and gums. Orthodontic treatment can help to straighten teeth that are crowded or spaced too far apart, and can also help to correct bite problems such as an overbite, underbite or crossbite.

There are many benefits to orthodontic treatment, but there are also some risks and side effects that you should be aware of before you begin treatment. The risks and side effects will vary depending on the type of orthodontic treatment you choose, and will also be influenced by your age, overall health and how well you follow your orthodontist’s instructions.

The most common side effect of orthodontic treatment is discomfort. You may experience some soreness or tenderness in your mouth, lips and cheeks when you first begin wearing braces or other appliances. This is perfectly normal and usually goes away after a few days as your mouth adjusts to the new hardware. You can usually control any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Other possible side effects of orthodontic treatment include:
-Cavities: If you have braces or other appliances that make it difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly, you’re at increased risk for cavities. Be sure to brush carefully and floss daily to reduce your risk.
-Gum disease: If you have braces or other appliances that make it difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly, you’re also at increased risk for gum disease. Be sure to brush carefully and floss daily to reduce your risk.
-Root damage: In some cases,orthodontic treatment can cause damage to the roots of your teeth. This is more likely to occur if you have periodontal disease or if you don’t take care of your teeth properly during treatment.
-Tooth loss: In very rare cases,orthodontic treatment can cause tooth loss. This is more likely to occur if you have periodontal disease or if you don’t take care of your teeth properly during treatment.

FAQs about orthodontic treatment

If you or your child has been recommended for orthodontic treatment, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about orthodontics.

What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The word “orthodontics” comes from the Greek words “orthos”, meaning “straight or correct”, and “dontos”, meaning “teeth”.

What do orthodontists do?
Orthodontists use braces, retainers and other appliances to move teeth, align jaws and shape facial structures. By bringing teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment, orthodontic treatment can improve dental health as well as overall appearance.

Why should I see an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is specially trained to identify and correct dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment can improve not only your smile, but also your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together). A healthy bite makes it easier to chew food properly and helps reduce wear on the teeth. Orthodontic treatment can also help alleviate many common speech problems. And straight teeth are simply easier to clean!

How do I know if I need treatment?
The best way to determine whether you need treatment is to see an orthodondist for a complete evaluation. During this initial visit, theorthodondist will take a medical history; examine your teeth, bite and jaw joints; make study models of your teeth; take X-rays; and discuss with you any problems that were found. Based on this information, the orthodondist will prescribe the best course of treatment for you. Remember…you are never too old for a healthy smile!