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Why Orthodontics?
Your teeth play many crucial roles in your mouth. In addition to biting, chewing, and speaking, your teeth also play a role in the health of your jawbone. They also play a crucial role in the appearance of your smile. Having crooked teeth can significantly impact these functions, leading to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease, bruxism, TMJ disorder, a decrease in confidence and more. Crooked teeth can, and should, be treated to improve your oral health, your smile, and your overall quality of life. Sawrie Orthodontics can help with orthodontics.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or AAPD, recommends that children have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. By this age, the baby teeth have started falling out, and the adult teeth have begun the process of emerging. An orthodontic evaluation enables us to determine the presence, or predict the likelihood, of different orthodontic issues. We can spot issues such as overcrowding or alignment issues in the jaw. In determining these issues, we can formulate a customized treatment plan and determine the best age to begin. With early treatment, we can help guide the growth of the jaw, making sure that the teeth have enough space to erupt properly. We can also help your child to stop habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use, and tongue thrusting. Early treatment can reduce the need for orthodontic treatment later in life, or even eliminate the need for it.
Orthodontic Treatment for Teens and Adults
While orthodontics is generally associated with children and young teens, older teens and adults can benefit from treatment as well. Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment generally could not afford treatment as a child or previously underwent orthodontic treatment as a child, but their teeth have started to shift out of alignment again. Most older teens and adults often feel self-conscious about the idea of wearing traditional metal braces, but there are options that are more discreet, helping you to get the smile you have been looking for.
How Orthodontics Works
Metal braces are the appliance most commonly associated with orthodontic treatment. Braces use brackets and wires to correct the alignment of the teeth. Brackets are bonded to the fronts of each tooth and the wire spans across the arch, connected to each bracket with an elastic O-ring. The wires move your teeth. They put pressure on your teeth, widening the periodontal ligaments, and then guide them into proper alignment. Traditional metal braces are what most people think of when they think about orthodontics, but there are other alternatives as well, including:
- Damon Braces
- Damon Clear
- Invisalign®
The types of treatments that are available to you depend significantly on your situation. An initial consultation will help us to determine the best treatments to meet your needs.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Treatment with orthodontics varies from person to person. One of the major factors that determine the length of your treatment is the severity of your issues. Those with minor alignment problems will have a shorter treatment than those with issues that are more severe. The type of treatment you choose can play a role. Age can also sometimes affect treatment length. Typically, orthodontic treatment time lasts anywhere from one to three years. Orthodontics not only improves the quality of your smile but also improves your oral health and your quality of life as well. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Sawrie Orthodontics today at (423) 624-8217.