Everything You Need to Know About Orthodontics

Oral health is a critical factor in our body’s overall health. For example, proper orthodontic care helps you have a good smile and healthy teeth. 

Orthodontic treatment is a complicated procedure that takes time says this experienced dentist in Richmond Hill NY. Many people face orthodontic problems from a young age or during adolescence. 

This treatment procedure involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones, and soft tissue, which must be moved to new positions for proper teeth alignment. 

Working with your dentist in Gallup, New Mexico, would help him understand the present situation and devise a customized treatment procedure. 

When To Visit An Orthodontist?

Orthodontic problems have higher chances of being resolved when treated at the earliest stage. But due to a lack of awareness, most people realize it later. 

Here are some situations where you should consider visiting an orthodontist immediately:

1. Difficulty in biting or chewing.
2. Speech difficulty
3. Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
4. Early or late loss of temporary teeth
5. Jaws are shifting, making sounds, or are recessed or protruding outwards. 
6. Facial asymmetry or imbalance
7. Inability to close lips comfortably
8. Protruding teeth

As we mentioned before, ignoring an orthodontic treatment would only reduce the chances of finding a simple solution and make things much more complicated. So getting the treatment as soon as the problems occur would eliminate most problems that would eventually occur with growing age. 

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

In orthodontic treatment, teeth or jaws are aligned by putting gentle, controlled forces on them. For this purpose, orthodontists, use several devices like braces, Invisalign, and others. They are realigned because of the breakdown and rebuilding of the bone tissue. 

What Is The Process Of Orthodontic Treatment?

The following are the processes of orthodontic treatment:

1. First consultation: This is where the dentist examines your dental structure and oral health. 
2. X-rays to get an idea of the current oral condition: The scan serves as a clinical tool for the orthodontist, and it gives a detailed view of the root structure and jaw bone and gives the dentist an idea about the extent of your problem.
3. Second consultation: The dentist presents a treatment plan with the previously collected data. He gives all the details about the treatment procedure, how much time it will take, and all the other details.
4. Treatment: The next phase is a treatment where the decision procedure is initiated, and after multiple sessions and after quite some time, there are noticeable changes.

Importance Of Orthodontic Treatment?

The most common problem that requires orthodontic treatment is a misalignment of teeth. Here are some reasons why orthodontic treatment is beneficial for you:

• Properly aligned teeth are healthier: Straighter teeth are healthier than those which aren’t. The reasons for this are:
• Crooked or crowded teeth are difficult to teeth: They are inaccessible, and you can’t reach the aperture of the surface of every tooth. This leads to the build-up of plaque and bacteria, which can cause cavity and tooth decay. 
• Misaligned teeth have a high risk of being chipped or cracked as they wear out unevenly. It also causes negative jaw growth. In addition, bite problems can lead to TMJ disorder (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction which has its own set of painful symptoms. 

So once your teeth are rightly aligned straight, it will be easy to reach all the surfaces area for better cleaning. 

1. Well-aligned teeth help in the better intake of nutrition: Once your teeth’s alignment is fixed, you can eat all types of food without worrying about getting stuck. For example, with straighter teeth eating meat, veggies and fruits become much more accessible. So you can add variety to your diet and expand its range, increasing the number of nutrients you intake. 
2. Straight teeth function better: With proper alignment in your teeth, you would no longer face problems with closing your lips, or you can speak without any problem. Also, your jaw would function perfectly without any restrictions. Your chewing and biting problems would be resolved as well. 
3. Gives you a perfect smile: Most people undergoing orthodontic problems need to be more confident as they find their smiles attractive. You can treat the problems with proper treatment and get that perfect smile. 

Along with that, you also are more confident in yourself. Your appearance would also be enhanced with the realignment of your jaw as the facial imbalances and asymmetrical features would get balanced out.

When to Visit an Orthodontist

To stop the growth of any potential orthodontic problems, the American Association of Orthodontics advises that children receive their first orthodontic appointment by age 7 or 8. It is crucial to get your child assessed at a young age, even if you do not see any dental problems, so their teeth and jaw growth may be properly tracked. It is time for your youngster to visit an orthodontist if you notice that they have protruding teeth or bite issues. A crossbite, for example, causes the jaws to grow unevenly, and teeth that are protruding are much more susceptible than healthy teeth to break or suffer injury. A few warning signals to watch out for may require an orthodontic appointment in both kids and adults.

Conclusion!

If you have a misalignment in your teeth, we hope this article has cleared your idea about the treatment procedure. However, remember to only jump into orthodontics treatment with proper consultation with your dentist in Gallup, New Mexico. Remember to seek help if you think something is wrong as soon as possible.