Orthodontists are specialists in correcting misalignments. These problems can lead to serious dental and health issues.
Braces, aligners and custom devices are all part of orthodontic treatments. An orthodontist Boston can also correct a number of issues, such as overcrowding or other issues related to facial structure and bite.
Identifying Problems
Orthodontists are specialists in aligning and moving teeth and jaws. Orthodontists understand that crooked bites and teeth that don’t fit correctly can cause oral issues such as gum disease, tooth decay and excessive wear to certain teeth or jaw joints. Malocclusion teeth can be visible when a person smiles, or they may not be, but still impact a person’s quality of living. For example, crowded teeth or teeth that overlap or protrude can make it difficult to clean them effectively, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Overcrowded teeth or teeth that overlap can also cause excessive wear to the teeth and jaw. This can lead TMJ problems and excessive wear. In addition, an overbite or underbite can cause discomfort while chewing or speaking and increase the likelihood of excessive wearing on certain teeth.
Other signs of orthodontic issues include difficulty in pronouncing certain words or a lisp and persistent jaw pain. These signs can indicate misalignment issues or skeletal imbalances that can be corrected with orthodontia.
Once an orthodontist identifies the problem, they will develop treatment plans to correct them. The timeline and steps for each issue will vary depending on its specificity.
The most common problem is a malocclusion, which is when the upper and lower teeth don’t fit properly when biting down. This can manifest as crooked or unevenly spaced teeth, an overbite or underbite, an open bite or crossbite, and teeth that are overly long or short. Orthodontics can address all of these problems through a range of treatment options, which often include braces or clear aligners. In some cases, they may recommend jaw surgery. Orthodontists often change their initial goals for patients during treatment planning based on new information gained through closer examination. This allows for the best possible outcomes to be achieved while minimizing risk.
Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is used to correct crooked or misaligned teeth and jaws in order to improve oral health and function, as well as the appearance of your smile. It involves wearing braces or clear aligners, or metal headgear. Surgery may be required to correct skeletal issues that affect speech, chewing or bites. Orthodontics can not only treat existing dental problems but also detect and prevent future dental issues.
Depending on the severity of a patient’s case, treatment can last anywhere from several months to a couple of years. Orthodontic treatment is typically completed in a series of appointments, with visits to the orthodontist every one to three weeks. In addition, patients will need to visit their dentist regularly to have teeth cleaned and to have their progress checked.
Orthodontists combine in-person exams with 2D or 3D radiographs, photos and models to create a treatment plan that is unique for each patient. Using this information, orthodontists determine which appliances and procedures will best correct each patient’s specific dental issues.
For many people, the most common form of orthodontic treatment is traditional metal braces. These consist of wires, brackets and elastic bands that apply pressure to the teeth and jaw over time. As the teeth move, the wire tightens, and this pressure helps guide them into a more aligned position. Braces work best when worn early in life. This helps to ensure that teeth grow correctly.
Another common form of orthodontic treatment is lingual braces, which are brackets that are placed on the front surface of a patient’s teeth. These braces are less noticeable and just as effective as traditional braces.
Orthodontists can use a wide range of orthodontic devices for their patients. For instance, palatal expansion can be used to make room for more permanent teeth, and a splint can relieve pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Retainers
When you finish your orthodontic treatment, a retainer is the best way to preserve your new smile. The teeth have a tendency to return to their original position after braces and aligners are removed. Wearing your retainer will prevent this and help you maintain that beautiful straight smile you and your orthodontic specialist worked so hard for.
Retainers can be made of clear plastic or acrylic and are placed behind or in front your teeth. They are usually custom-made to fit the mouth of each patient, and are therefore an important part of a successful final phase in orthodontic treatment. Retainers should be worn all the time unless otherwise instructed, except when eating or brushing teeth.
There are different types of retaining devices, each with a different function. Fixed retainers, which consist of a thin wire bonded to the back of the lower front teeth, are often used as a temporary retainer before transitioning to another type of retainer. Hawley retainers, which are a series of wires that wrap around the back of the upper and lower teeth, are more common than fixed retainers. These retainers are made to order for each patient, and they require more time than other types to adjust to.
Removable retainers have become the most popular option. These retainers are made of clear plastic, transparent acrylic, or both. They can be customized to fit your style by using hot water and toothpaste. Removable retainers can be more comfortable than fixed ones and can also be cleaned and flossed.
Wearing a retainer regularly can help to prevent your teeth from reverting to their original positions.
Retainers help to prevent relapses of your teeth. They also protect against periodontal diseases and other oral issues by ensuring your teeth are in the correct, stable positions. Properly aligned and stable teeth are easier to maintain, which reduces the chances of gum disease, cavities, and other oral issues.
Follow-Up
Some people may think orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic, but it is so much more. Besides improving the look of a person’s smile, it can also make it easier for them to chew, speak, and clean their teeth, which can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, it can boost their self-esteem as they feel more confident about their smile.
In some cases, orthodontics can help alleviate pain related to the temporomandibular joint (TMD), which can cause headaches, jaw tenderness, or even neck and shoulder strain. TMD is often caused by misaligned bites and teeth. Orthodontics can help correct this.
Orthodontic treatment can address problems such as overlapping or overcrowded teeth, which can be difficult to keep clean and can impact speech and chewing function. It is typically best to seek treatment for this problem at an early age, so that it can be addressed before adult teeth come in and make the process more challenging.
Open bites are another common orthodontic issue. They are characterized by a gap that appears between the upper teeth and lower teeth, when the mouth is closed. This can impact eating and speaking and can cause aesthetic concerns. It can often be corrected through orthodontic treatments, such as traditional braces or clear aligners. In some cases, more severe open-bite problems may require surgical treatment. While this can be costly, it can be well worth the results. A healthy, beautiful smile is possible at any age with the right guidance and care from an orthodontist.
