Dental issues are the most common healthcare concern that people encounter during their lives. Teeth control speech and eating, and caring for them is crucial. However, many people still need to decide when to consult an orthodontist. Worry not because this guide details everything you should know about orthodontics and how a medical professional can help.
Why does one need braces or Invisalign?
Braces and Invisalign can help you smile, eat, speak better, chew better and laugh more. They can also improve your appearance by straightening teeth that have been crooked for years or even decades.
Braces are one of the most effective ways to correct jaw alignment problems like cross bites (where the lower teeth are closer together than the upper ones) or open bites (where both sides of your mouth are open)
Misaligned jaws
A misaligned jaw is a common orthodontic problem. It occurs when a patient’s teeth are not in the right position, causing them to be crooked or rotated. Numerous factors can cause this:
- Injury or disease that affects your jaw(s) or teeth (such as trauma)
- Genetics (some people are born with crooked jaws despite having healthy mouths)
- A broken tooth that has been treated medically but still has not healed properly
Bone growth problems
If your teeth are crooked because of bone growth problems, you can correct the problem with an orthodontist’s help. Numerous factors can cause teeth that are crooked because of bone growth problems. Bone growth disorders can also be caused by other diseases and conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or rickets.
If you have one or more crooked teeth, consider getting braces on your permanent front teeth to straighten them out entirely before adulthood.
Broken Teeth
Broken teeth are a common problem. When a child’s tooth breaks, the bone around it can fracture and cause crooked teeth to develop.
The treatment options for broken teeth include Invisalign or braces.
If you have broken teeth, your orthodontist will evaluate your case and recommend the best treatment.
Injury
- Injury to the jaw: If you have been injured in your jaw, it can cause teeth to become crooked. This is because two bones in the lower jaw connect: one on top and one on the bottom. When these bones are fractured or broken, they may need to be rebuilt with metal plates and screws that hold them together so that they don’t move around too much when you chew food or speak.
- Injury to teeth bent outwards from their normal position (called malocclusion): Malocclusions can occur if any damage is done during birth, leading to problems while growing up. However, they may also develop due to age, illness or an injury sustained during sports activities like football (soccer). These malocclusions involve crookedness caused by insufficient room between the upper front and lower back teeth – one cannot close completely without touching either side!
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
If you have systemic sclerosis (SSc), your teeth can become crooked due to the thickening of the connective tissue that supports them. The thickened tissues may also cause bones to harden and contract, making it difficult for your dentist to move or clean around them.
If you have SSc, visit a dentist as soon as possible so that they can treat this condition with gentle care and attention.
Conclusion
When you consider consulting professionals in orthodontics, you want to feel comfortable and informed. You should not be pressured into any decision or treatment plan just because it is what the dentist recommends. Tips for picking an orthodontist:
- Choose a dentist who is friendly, knowledgeable and professional.
- Choose a dentist who is willing to spend time with you.
- Choose a dentist willing to answer your questions about your teeth, their condition and options for treatment (if any).
