Nobody likes to hear that they will need braces. Less-than-desirable appearance and discomfort don’t appeal to most people, regardless of age.
However, some patients have dental health problems that can only be corrected by orthodontic treatment.
Some of these problems include:
Overbite People with an overbite are sometimes said to have “protruding teeth.” With an overbite, the upper front teeth are significantly ahead of the lower teeth.
Underbite This is the opposite of an overbite. When you think of an underbite, you probably think of a bulldog. With an underbite, the lower teeth are too far forward.
Cross bite With a cross bite, the upper teeth do not close slightly in front of the lower teeth, which is the normal ideal bite.
Openbite. With an open bite, the biting surfaces of the front and lateral teeth have a gap between the biting surface when the mouth is closed.
Midline out of place. Patients with a misplaced midline have upper middle front teeth that do not line up with the middle and lower front teeth.
Spacing. Some patients have visible spaces or gaps between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or small, crowded teeth that do not fill the gap.
Crowding. While some patients have teeth that are too spread out and have gaps between them, other patients have teeth that grow too close to each other, causing the teeth to become crowded. Often this is because there are too many teeth in the jaw.
If left untreated, these conditions can worsen, leading to additional dental problems and a lifetime of less-than-ideal smiles.
While braces are the most common treatment option, they are not the only ones. Treatment options are fixed braces or removable braces:
The most common fixed appliances include:
Suspenders. Braces consist of bands, wires, and brackets. The bands serve as anchors for household appliances. The brackets are attached to the outer service of each tooth and the wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. The wires are periodically tightened and gradually shift the teeth to the correct position. Depending on the severity of the misalignment of the teeth, a patient may need to wear braces for a few months to a few years.
Specialized appliances. These appliances are most often used to slow down the thrust of the tongue and the sucking of the thumb.
Space maintainers. These fixed appliances consist of bands and wires and are often used to fill in extra space due to premature loss of baby teeth.
The most common removable appliances include:
Aligners. Have you heard of Invisalign? This set of clear trays are common examples of aligners. Many adults and teens opt for aligners over traditional braces because of their clear appearance and comfortable fit. Aligners are worn much of the day and night, only to be removed when eating, brushing teeth, and flossing.
Removable space maintainers. These removable appliances work in the same way as their fixed counterparts. The removable space maintainers are made from an acrylic base that sits over the jaw. Plastic branches or wire will be placed between specific teeth to keep the space between the teeth open.
Jaw repositioning appliances. These orthodontic treatment options are often used on the upper or lower jaw to realign it into the proper position. These jaw positioning devices, also called splints, are effective treatments for patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Lip and cheek bumpers. These braces help move the lip and cheek away from the teeth. These bumpers cushion the pressure of the muscles of the lips and cheeks so that they are not exerted on the teeth.
Palatal expander. Patients who have an overly narrow upper jaw are best treated with a palatal expander. These devices cover the roof of the mouth and exert outward pressure on the palate bones through screws. The bones and joints widen throughout.
Removable retainers. Typically, retainers follow braces and ensure that teeth are consistently kept in correct alignment. Retainers are generally worn on the roof of the mouth.
Millinery. This orthodontic treatment device may look like a torture device, but it is effective in slowing the growth of the upper jaw, while pulling the front teeth back.
The best treatment will depend on the needs of the patient and the severity of the dental problem. When it comes to effective treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
If your orthodontic problem prevents you from showing your smile or prevents you from talking or eating, make an appointment and speak with your orthodontist. Many orthodontists create a welcoming environment and a quick, painless procedure.
