Chances are, you’ve heard of orthodontics, a specialized area of dentistry that works to align the teeth and jaws. The purpose of this alignment is both for function and aesthetic appearance. Orthodontic appliances may include braces or other corrective devices, like clear aligners and expander plates.
For today’s blog post, let’s take a deep dive into understanding orthodontics!
To start, let’s consider three primary benefits of orthodontic treatment. While straight teeth and a well-aligned jaw may be appealing for aesthetic reasons (who doesn’t want a beautiful smile?), they also allow for better oral hygiene and a healthier mouth. In fact, poorly aligned teeth and jaws may lead to uneven tooth wear and gum issues as well as difficulty breathing, hard-to-clean teeth, speech development problems, and damage to the jaw joint. Perhaps the most important benefit, though, is the confidence that comes with addressing your dental issues.
When it comes to predicting the need for orthodontics, it usually begins with a child’s jaw development. By age seven, once most adult teeth are present, it’s usually clear to a dentist if a patient will have problems that require orthodontic treatment. The first indication that you or your child needs braces or another orthodontic appliance is usually crooked teeth. Other problems that may require orthodontia include:
- Bite problems, including an underbite, open bite, or cross bite
- Spaced out teeth
- Missing teeth
- Impacted teeth
So how long does it take for orthodontic treatments to work? Well, it varies based on the severity of the misalignment. It can take anywhere from six months to three years to reach your dental goals and achieve the desired results. The cost also varies, but it’s important to note that most dental insurance providers offer at least partial coverage for necessary treatments.
There are several types of orthodontics that may be used in your treatment plan, including both fixed and removable devices.
Traditional braces are the most common type of fixed appliance. They involve small brackets fixed to the teeth with thin wires (archwires) and may be metal or ceramic. They also use elastic bands or metal ties to secure the archwires. Other types of braces include lingual braces, which are attached to the back of the teeth instead of the front, and self-ligating braces, which use a built-in clip to secure the brackets.
Palatal expanders are another type of fixed appliance. A dentist or orthodontist custom-fits these devices to the roof of the patient’s mouth. They work by gently applying pressure to the upper teeth to carefully expand the upper jaw and teeth spacing. The last type of fixed appliance is a bonded retainer, or a single metal wire fixed to the back of the teeth to hold their new alignment.
Aligners and retainers are two removable devices. Aligners are clear plastic trays custom-made for each patient’s teeth. You replace them with a new set every two weeks to slowly re-align your teeth and jaws. Similarly, retainers are also clear, custom-fitted plastic trays. Unlike aligners, though, retainers prevent straightened teeth from shifting.
The right orthodontic treatment options depend on your specific dental condition, your age, and your overall dental goals.
We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for all of your oral health needs.
Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.