Common Questions
When it comes to finding, preventing, and treating dental and facial anomalies, orthodontics is the area of dentistry that is responsible for diagnosis and treatment of these areas. These issues are referred to as "malocclusion," which simply means "poor bite" in medical terminology. The design, application, and management of corrective equipment, like as braces, is essential to the practice of orthodontics in order to bring teeth, lips, and jaws into perfect alignment in order to create facial equilibrium.
Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on diagnosing, preventing, and treating problems with the teeth and face. To become an orthodontist, one must first complete a four-year dentistry graduate program at an American Dental Association-accredited university dental school (ADA). In order to practice orthodontics in the United States, they must first finish a two- to three-year residency program certified by the ADA. Only dentists who have successfully completed this additional specialist school are eligible to practice as orthodontists.
There are two types of malocclusions: hereditary and acquired. Too much or too little space between teeth, congenitally missing teeth, and a broad variety of jaw and facial abnormalities are all examples of inherited dental issues. Trauma, thumb or finger sucking, airway blockage by tonsils and adenoids, dental disorders, and early loss of baby or adult teeth may create acquired issues. Tooth alignment is merely one aspect of face growth and appearance affected by several of these issues.
Even if your front teeth seem to be in perfect alignment, it might be difficult to tell whether you need orthodontic treatment. Moreover, even the most difficult and perplexing situations may resolve on their own. Asking your family dentist is a fantastic starting point, but since we specialize only in orthodontics, we are the ideal people to turn to. We would be pleased to visit your kid and provide any advice that may be required during our first exam, which is thorough and informative.
If your teeth are crowded or overlapped, there are gaps between them, the front top teeth don't line up with the bottom teeth, the top front teeth don't meet with the bottom teeth, or the top front teeth cover more than 50% of the bottom teeth, you might need orthodontic help. If you notice that your child's jaw is out of place or has moved, he or she may have a skeletal problem that needs to be treated early. These are just a few of the obvious signs that your teeth aren't aligned properly.
Early orthodontic evaluation is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. An orthodontist can discover and analyze any abnormalities, advise on treatment options, and establish the ideal time to begin treatment with an early examination at age seven. Early diagnosis of any orthodontic abnormalities is critical in order to prevent more complex treatment later.
Age should not be a restriction in considering orthodontic treatment for adults. Orthodontic therapy is an option for every healthy adult with strong teeth and healthy gums. Adult orthodontic patients make up around a quarter of our patient base, and that figure is expected to rise in the future!
Improvements have been made in the field of orthodontics throughout the last several decades and continue to improve. Braces may cause some tenderness and soreness to your teeth for the first few days, but they are not painful. An over-the-counter painkiller may alleviate this irritation. Today’s version of braces is more comfortable and employ cutting-edge technology to lessen the pain. Biocompatible braces, mild force, and high-quality orthodontic materials are all used to shorten treatment duration and level of discomfort.
Braces might last anywhere from six months to three years in certain cases. How fast the treatment goals are accomplished depends on the patient's participation, as well as how severe the condition is and how much tooth movement is necessary.
Treatment for orthodontic disorders that are caught early might be less expensive than more extensive dental treatments needed to correct more significant issues that may arise later. Unlike many other consumer goods, the cost of orthodontic treatment has not risen as quickly. In most cases, financing is available, and we have a variety of payment plans to choose from. In addition, orthodontics are now covered by many insurance policies.
