Braces offer an obvious improvement in how you or your child looks, and they also bring a healthier smile. Among the many beneficial life changes that are possible when you choose braces from a San Diego Dentist Association member are enhancements to how you feel about yourself. We know that some people are self-conscious about their looks, and braces can make a significant difference.
Another important benefit, however, is the reduction of health problems from crooked teeth, including jaw and teeth problems as well as digestive issues. Crooked or misaligned teeth don’t just look bad. They can make it hard for you to brush your teeth properly, which can lead to tooth decay, tooth infections and eventually tooth loss.
Orthodontic issues that are not treated can cause long-term issues with chewing, speaking and uneven wear of teeth, all problems that can be prevented or eliminated with braces or other alternatives. Even your gums can be impacted if you don’t get your crooked teeth and bite problems corrected, and you can get headaches, neck pain and more. But your SDDA dentist can help.
Diving Deeper Into Braces
Dental Braces – Lingual Braces, before and after
Children should be seen by an orthodontic dentist by age 7 to be assessed for alignment issues, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. Treatment is quickest and most effective when undertaken early, but it works well at any age, so it’s never too late to get braces or Invisalign clear aligners, an alternative to braces.
Technology related to braces has improved dramatically in recent years, and that means dental braces are more effective than ever and easier to wear than in the past. In addition to traditional silver-colored metal brackets, there are now clear brackets, tooth-colored brackets and even heat-activated wires that do not require adjustment by a dental team as often as in the past. Plus, you might be an ideal candidate for Invisalign, which uses clear trays that are similar to retainers and require no brackets or wires.
We recommend that you meet with a San Diego Dentist Association dentist soon to discuss your options in greater depth. There’s always a solution for a better smile.
Who Need Braces?
You may be a good candidate for braces or other orthodontic treatment if you have these conditions:
- Breathing or swallowing issues. When you can only breathe through your mouth at night, for example, sleep apnea, snoring and other problems can result.
- When some teeth of the upper jaw rest and chew inside the lower jaw while some rest and chew on the outside, chewing and speaking problems are possible.
- This unsightly problem involves having too many teeth or major misalignment issues and can make correctly brushing teeth impossible.
- When your upper jaw extends over your lower jaw when you eat or speak, problems can result, including lower teeth biting into sensitive tissue behind front teeth causing injury.
- Misaligned teeth can cause or result from developmental problems, and teeth often need to be fixed before other aspects of the disfigurement can be addressed.
- Jaw pain. Jaw pain may be related to problems with teeth and it can go away or be significantly reduced once orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign has been completed.
- Missing or extra teeth. Replacing missing teeth or dealing with extra teeth is something that treatment from an orthodontist dentist, including braces, can work alongside.
- Also simply called protruding upper teeth, an overjet can be accompanied by a short lower jaw and can be dramatically improved with braces or clear aligners.
- Self-esteem issues. Teeth problems may make you self-conscious of your smile, how you talk, and how you eat, but proper orthodontic treatment can take away this cause of embarrassment.
- Some people have a noticeable gap between their front top teeth or in other locations, and this gap can be closed or partially closed with braces. A cosmetic procedure like dental veneers may be necessary to complete the job.
- Speech or chewing problems. These secondary symptoms are caused by crooked or misaligned teeth and can often be completely resolved with braces and other orthodontic treatments.
- When your lower jaw extends beneath your upper jaw, you may experience headaches, jaw pain, and other issues that can be cleared up with aligners or braces.
Additionally, children may need orthodontic treatment because of thumb or finger sucking that leads to protruding teeth as they grow. Teeth can also erupt out of position, and braces can be used to move these teeth to their proper place for a lifetime of good dental position and dental health.
What Steps Does Orthodontic Treatment Involve?
If you’re considering getting braces or other orthodontic treatment, here is a quick overview of the general steps involved:
- Planning phase. At your first appointment, our San Diego dental team will take your medical and dental history. We will also take impressions of your teeth, digital x-rays and pics, helping us fully understand what’s going on what we can do about it.
- Treatment phase. During this phase, we will treat you as agreed with braces or aligners and schedule follow-up appointments for you as needed. As with any long-term treatment, you must be vigilant and follow instructions for best results.
- Retention phase. After treatment is complete, most patients require a removable retainer that is worn at night to prevent teeth from trying to move back to their original positions. You could need this retainer for many months or years, but it will be worth it to retain the results we deliver for you.
Ready to get started? Reach out to us to find an SDDA top rated dental clinic, and get started with braces and other orthodontic treatments.