Orthodontists are specialists in the field of dentistry. They help to diagnose, prevent and treat a wide variety of dental irregularities, including crooked teeth, missing teeth, overbite, underbite and misaligned jaws. Both dentists and orthodontists focus on improving overall oral health, but an orthodontist has several more years of training to be qualified to treat the alignment of teeth and jaws for both children and adults.
There are many reasons to see an orthodontist:
• Prevention of an ailment is always better than the treatment, and when our orthodontist examines the teeth of children, especially children between the ages of six and 12 years old, she can monitor the growth and development of their permanent teeth and possibly predict if there will be problems in the future.
• Crowded teeth occur when they start to overlap each other and look crooked. This means there is not enough space in the jaw. You may not be able to brush effectively or floss, which will result in decay, gum problems and stained teeth.
• Protrusion of the front teeth may be unsightly as well as unhealthy. When the front teeth protrude, they are more prone to chipping, and it may indicate that the upper and lower jaws had unsynchronized growth. This can be best corrected for boys between the ages of 14 and 16 years old and girls between 11 and 13 years old. These are the times of rapid growth. Correcting protruding front teeth can significantly improve your appearance.
• The vertical overlap of the upper and lower teeth is improper. This is called an abnormal biting pattern, and there are several types of improper bites. If it is not treated, your teeth may wear away more quickly and you could require major repairs.
• Thumb and finger sucking in children is called a parafunctional habit. It may cause the upper and lower teeth to be pushed out, resulting in an open bite. It could also cause a speech impediment. Grinding the teeth at night is another parafunctional habit. This may cause a deep bite. Our orthodontist can prescribe appliances that may break these habits.
• A confident smile is one of the most important parts of anyone’s appearance. Even if you do not have any serious teeth or jaw issues, if you have crooked or misaligned teeth, you could develop self-consciousness when you smile. Seeing an orthodontist is your best option to have the brilliant, attractive smile you want.
• There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to orthodontic treatments. Even traditional metal braces are much smaller than in the past. However, there are several other options, including virtually invisible braces and braces on the back of your teeth.
While it is best to prevent major dental issues by seeing an orthodontist early, even adults can benefit from orthodontic treatments and get the dental health and attractive smile they missed as a child. During a consultation at Brace Central in Brooklyn, our orthodontist can help diagnose your dental problems and prescribe a solution. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.