Are Surgical Orthodontics A Way To Improve Oral Health?

Orthodontics is a branch of dental healthcare that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malocclusion. Malocclusion refers to abnormally positioned teeth and jaws. It can affect your ability to bite and even the ability to observe general oral hygiene. Surgical orthodontics can help correct protruding or crowded teeth, and by extension, improve your oral health.

How Orthodontics Helps to Improve Oral Health

Orthodontics can either involve the careful removal of selected primary teeth (mostly premolars) so that other teeth can grow in the correct position, or moving the teeth to the desired position through the supporting alveolar bone. When the teeth are to be moved, you can have plastic, ceramic, or metal braces fitted and connected through an archwire. The treatment duration varies, although it generally takes longer for adults than children. Once the teeth are in the desired position, the braces are removed.

Here’s how orthodontics can help improve your oral health:

Prevent Tooth Decay

Orthodontics helps in correcting crooked or overcrowded teeth and other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Such dental flaws make it difficult to properly observe oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing. Straightening the teeth and removing overcrowded ones can make it easier to maintain dental care and avoid issues such as tooth decay.

Keep Gum Disease at Bay

Abnormally placed teeth can result in injuries to the gums, especially during chewing. Gum injuries expose tissue to bacterial infections and even tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment reduces the risk of gum injury by ensuring teeth are properly aligned. It also lowers the risk of tooth fractures caused by protruding teeth.

Extend the Life of Your Teeth

Abnormally aligned teeth increase the chances of teeth grinding against each other, which causes enamel to wear down and leads to tooth erosion. Orthodontics aligns the teeth properly and helps reduce the risk of long-term erosion.

Surgical orthodontics doesn’t just improve your oral health—it also enhances the quality of your smile. If you are interested in improving your oral health, get in touch with our office today for personalized guidance from our experienced oral surgeons.