Orthodontics, a specialized field within oral health care, offers various solutions to improve oral health and overall well-being. While orthodontists may be mistaken for general dentists, they play a distinct role in diagnosing and treating dental and facial irregularities, such as crooked teeth or dental malocclusion. By focusing on the alignment of the teeth and jaw, orthodontics enhances your smile’s aesthetics and contributes to your mouth’s functionality.
In this article, we will explore the various treatments orthodontists provide and their benefits for oral health,
What Is an Orthodontist?
Though many of us might often mistake them for general dentists, orthodontists play a distinct role in our oral health care. They specialize in diagnosing and treating dental and facial irregularities that general dentists might not. These professionals are often the ones we turn to correct crooked teeth, better known as dental malocclusion.
The orthodontic specialty involves correcting the teeth and jaw alignment, often leading to a better smile. However, this field extends beyond the aesthetic, as orthodontists also attend to the mouth’s functionality. They focus on dental and facial structures, considering how they interact to prevent, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusion.
Common Treatments Orthodontists Offers
Orthodontists are skilled in various treatment techniques. Here are some common treatments orthodontists offer to improve your smile’s function and aesthetics:
1. Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth. The clear aligners treatment in Coquitlam uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to move the teeth into the desired position gradually. It’s an effective treatment option for those seeking a subtle way of attaining a perfect smile.
2. Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have been time-tested in treating various orthodontic issues. They consist of small metal brackets attached to the teeth, connected with thin wires to gently shift the teeth into the correct alignment. To many orthodontic patients, these braces remain synonymous with a commitment to a healthier smile.
3. Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a newer evolution of the traditional ones. They’re similar in size and shape but designed to blend in with the teeth, providing a more discrete option. Ceramic braces can offer a faster treatment outcome, particularly for those with substantial malocclusions.
4. Braces for Alignment Correction
Braces are a quintessential solution when we talk about alignment correction in orthodontics. Dental treatments at myOrthodontist in Maple Ridge use braces to move the teeth gently over time to rectify dental malocclusions like crooked teeth and improve the alignment of teeth.
How Orthodontics Contributes to Improved Oral Health
It’s essential to understand the impact orthodontics has on oral health. Here are a few critical ways how:
Ensuring a Healthier Smile
Orthodontic treatments help attain a healthier smile by making it easier to clean your teeth. Cleaning irregularly spaced or overcrowded teeth can be challenging, increasing the risk of gum disease, decay over time, and periodontal disease. Hence, proper alignment helps maintain oral hygiene and dazzle your smile.
To seek the best treatments and advice for your teeth alignment, visiting a reputable orthodontist clinic is recommended. You may check their website to learn about their dental services for your condition.
Improved Bite and Chewing Function
Correcting the positioning of your teeth can significantly improve your bite and jaw function. An improper bite increases the risk of fracturing teeth. Orthodontics helps in formulating a more harmonious bite, thereby improving chewing function and reducing biting and chewing problems. It’s no secret that better bites lead to fewer accidents—like that annoying accidental cheek bite.
Alleviating Oral Health Complications
Certain oral health complications arise from untreated symptoms of malocclusion, including difficulty speaking and chewing, as well as frequent biting of inner cheeks or tongue. By rectifying dental malocclusion, Orthodontics can help address these issues, potentially preventing oral health complications.
Enhancement of Speech and Pronunciation
Orthodontics can also contribute to improved oral health by addressing speech and pronunciation difficulties that may arise from dental malocclusion. Misaligned teeth can affect the proper formation of sounds, leading to speech impediments. By correcting these alignment issues, orthodontic treatment can enhance speech and pronunciation, allowing individuals to communicate more effectively and confidently.
Prevention of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
Another significant way orthodontics contributes to improved oral health is by preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Dental malocclusion can place excessive stress on the temporomandibular joint, leading to jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty in opening and closing the mouth. Orthodontic treatment can realign the teeth and jaws, reducing the strain on the TMJ and preventing the development of TMJ disorders.
Final Thoughts
Orthodontics is crucial in improving oral health by addressing dental and facial irregularities that general dentists may not specialize in. Orthodontic treatments help achieve a healthier smile, improve bite and chewing function, and alleviate oral health complications.
By seeking orthodontic treatment, individuals can experience tangible improvements in their oral health, leading to a robust and aesthetically pleasing oral system that can last a lifetime with proper care.