Orthodontics
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in treating patients with improper positioning of teeth when the mouth is closed (malocclusion), which results in an improper bite.
- An orthodontics specialist is called an orthodontist.
- Orthodontics also includes cosmetic dentistry; when the patient’s aim is to improve his/her appearance.
Why you should get orthodontic treatment?
- The goal of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful smile and a good bite—meaning straight teeth that mesh well with the teeth in the opposite jaw and look great.
- A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak.
- A beautiful smile adds to self-esteem, self-confidence and leads toward career advancement.
- We live in a competitive world and a great smile can give you the edge.
Your fears about braces….
Orthodontics Braces Pain How Long is the main question in people’s minds when they go on and find out that they have to have braces on in order to get their teeth straightened out. However, look at the humongous amounts of benefits that you will get from them. Therefore, the mild discomfort that you experience when the orthodontist here at Smile Essentials places the braces on your teeth is really mild and might just result in a bit of discomfort that will settle within a few hours. You won’t need any kind of heavy medication in order to deal with it. The dentist might adjust the tension on the braces to suit your teeth. If you have really sensitive teeth then they might hurt for a while and then settle down
When to see an orthodontist
If you recognize any of these signs or concerns in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist.
- You want a beautiful smile
- You feel a great smile will improve your self-esteem and self-confidence
- You want the best for your family
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or are recessed
- Speech difficulty
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
- Facial imbalance or asymmetry (features out of proportion to the rest of the face)
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
- Inability to comfortably close lips
When can orthodontic treatment start?
Treatment will not usually commence until the child is about 12 or 13 years old; when the adult teeth have come through and developed fully. In some cases treatment may start a couple of years later if teeth problems had not become noticeable beforehand.