What Is Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics is a branch in dentistry responsible for diagnosing and treating dental deformities and irregularities in the connection between the upper and lower jaw. The treatment can be for cosmetic reasons, to improve a person’s appearance, or to improve oral function. The arrangement and positioning of your teeth plays a significant role in your overall health. Incorrect alignment can create a range of problems for you. You may find it difficult to clean your teeth and end up at high risk of cavities. Biting can also be a problem and in some cases, your jaw can be affected, consequently interfering with the shape of your face. Also, orthodontic treatment can be used to fix other conditions like cleft lip and palate.

What Are the Benefits of Orthodontics?

When your teeth are properly aligned, they are healthier. Also, in a way, orthodontic care acts as a preventive measure, that helps fix problems before they get out of control. Here are some of the benefits you can achieve when you choose us for your orthodontic treatment in san Jose, CA:

• You improve oral functions so that you can effectively perform tasks such as chewing and making speech. Orthodontic treatment corrects your bite, allowing the front and back teeth meet evenly.
• You enjoy a great-looking smile with straightened and properly aligned teeth. Issues like overcrowding and protruding teeth are fixed.
• The risk of long-term excessive wear and trauma to the teeth are reduced since they have all been correctly moved to the right position.
• Any uncomfortable gaps between teeth are closed.
• You are able to practice proper oral hygiene because your teeth are well positioned.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Braces – They work by gradually applying pressure on the teeth, to gradually move them into the correct position. They can be used by both children and adults. Types of braces include traditional braces, which have visible metal brackets, ceramic braces and invisible braces.

Space maintainers – When a child loses a tooth before time, a band is fixed to one of the tooth next to the gap, and a wire runs from the band to the other tooth. this will prevent either tooth from pushing into the gap, thus leaving room for the permanent tooth. we have fixed space maintainers and removable space maintainers.

Aligners – It is an alternative to braces that is mostly used by adults. They are hardly noticed by other people and can be removed to allow you brush, floss and eat. Usually, an aligner needs to be changed every 2 to 3 weeks for a tighter one.

Retainers – Often used after a dental procedure to prevent teeth from moving back to their previous position. They can either be permanent or removable.

Headgear – This is a strap worn around the back of the head and is attached to a metal wire in the front. It is used to slow the growth of the upper jaw and keep the teeth back teeth in position while the front ones are being pulled back.

Invisalign – It is a modern alternative to braces and retainers. It is made from a clear and thin plastic film molded in the shape of your teeth that can be worn over the teeth to function as braces or retainers. If you are curious to learn more about Invisalign near you, book a n appointment with us!

Are You A Candidate?

In most movies, the character wearing braces will almost always be a teenager. This might confuse you to think that orthodontic care is just for the teens. However, that is not the case, it just happens that the teenage years is the common time orthodontist recommend them. Adults may also need to wear braces if required, although they can also be treated with aligners, cosmetic braces or Invisalign braces.

To determine if you are a candidate for orthodontic care, a dentist may need to review your dental history, take a plaster model of your teeth and/or X-ray. Depending on the outcome of this analysis, the dentist then may refer you to an orthodontist. The type of treatment offered will often depend on the situation and the age of the patient. Age is always considered because of the number of teeth present. Children may sometimes need to wait to grow more teeth before treatment can be administered. Alternatively, they can be given a temporary for of treatment as they wait for a more appropriate time to perform a more lasting procedure. it is always better to take orthodontic treatment once the permanent teeth have set in, so that the results last a lifetime.

Some of the situations or conditions that can make you a candidate for orthodontic care include: open bite, overcrowding, protruding teeth, underbite and crossbite.

For more information about Orthodontic Treatment, please schedule an appointment at our dental office in San Jose, CA.