A smile can make a big difference in your day.
A recent study by the University of South Australia proved that smiling stimulates the amygdala in the brain, increasing the production of neurotransmitters that promote a positive mood. This is one reason you must work on keeping your pearly whites in top shape. Orthodontic treatments can help you achieve a flawless smile.
What Is an Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is a procedure done to straighten crooked teeth and correct problems with the bite. These procedures are performed by dentists with extra training in the field or an orthodontist. Orthodontic treatments can help address the following common orthodontic problems:
- Teeth Gaps: Gaps in the teeth can be the result of missing teeth, small teeth, large jaws, or various dental issues.
- Overbite: This orthodontic problem occurs when the top teeth abnormally bite over the lower teeth.
- Underbite: An underbite is another bad bite wherein the bottom teeth bite in front of the top teeth.
- Protruding Teeth: Protruded front teeth can cause body image problems.They are also prone to dental traumas.
- Crowded Teeth: Some people have an underdeveloped jaw due to a variety of reasons such as genetics, mouth breathing, tongue thrust, thumb sucking etc, This combined with average or above average sized teeth will result in overcrowding.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment?
Besides making your smile aesthetically pleasing, orthodontic treatment can help correct many teeth and gum problems and improve oral health.
- Improved Appearance: Orthodontic treatment can straighten teeth and improve the bite. This will prevent any permanent damage caused by the position or the bite of the permanent teeth. Not to mention the boost in confidence that comes with a more attractive smile.
- Promote Even Wear and Tear: Orthodontic treatments can help correct a misaligned bite, leading to a better distribution of pressure around the mouth when eating. Properly aligned teeth and gums also help avoid unnecessary extra force on jaw joints.
- Better Cleaning: Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment will also be able to clean their teeth better as they can reach areas that were previously not accessible. This reduces the chances of tooth decay in both children and adults.
- Improved Speech: Misaligned teeth can go hand in hand with speech problems such as lisps. Orthodontics can help straighten teeth and close gaps in the teeth, eventually improving speech.
Who Needs an Orthodontic Treatment?
Anyone with a bad bite or crooked teeth could benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Adults
Adults who opt for orthodontic treatment such as braces or aligners may benefit from tooth-coloured braces, clear aligners, or invisible braces. These options will help adults complete their orthodontic treatment with minimal aesthetic disturbance.
Children
Most children have all their permanent adult teeth, excluding wisdom teeth, around the age of twelve to thirteen. Sometimes it’s too late to address all of their orthodontic problems at this age. Common causes of misaligned teeth or underdeveloped jaw size in young children include habits such as:
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb-sucking
- Tongue tie
- Lip tie
The American Orthodontic Association recommends an initial orthodontic consultation around the age of 7 to 9. This will allow interceptive orthodontic treatments to take place in a more timely manner to prevent further issues from arising.
Expander
A palatal expander works to widen a narrow jaw, to provide more room for the adult teeth. This type of orthodontic treatment is specific to a younger age group as a teenage or adult jaw cannot be expanded predictably.
An expander is placed in the roof of a patient’s mouth, and he or she will need to wear the appliance for 5 to 6 months to promote jaw expansion and to create enough space for the adult teeth.
Braces
Braces work by exerting light continuous pressure on teeth and gradually moving them to their desired position.
Traditional metal braces are the most common type, but you can also opt for ceramic or invisible braces.
Retainer
A retainer is a device used to maintain the teeth’ position after braces. Retainers can either be permanent or temporary, depending on the support your teeth need.
Do You Need an Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic problems don’t only affect your confidence; they can also cause serious dental health issues. Statistics show that over sixty per cent of Australians are keen on having an orthodontic procedure to correct their dental problems. Getting the best treatment involves a visit with a dentist experienced with orthodontics. If you’re considering getting orthodontic treatment, do it with the experts.
Contact Dana Street Dental to book an appointment today.
