Having teeth and a bite that are both properly aligned accomplishes more than just providing an attractive smile. Teeth that are crowded or unevenly spaced are more prone to decay as it is harder to clean them completely. The ability to brush or floss all surface areas of your teeth is paramount to maintaining ideal oral health.
Misaligned teeth also do not function optimally. Patients often find they need to adjust their bite to chew their meals. When this adjustment occurs, it can adversely affect the temporomandibular joints, leading to TMJ disorder. This condition can also be directly related to the positioning of the mouth due to malocclusion (improper meeting of the upper and lower teeth) or as a result of bruxism (teeth grinding), which is common with orthodontic issues.
Complicating Procedures
When it comes to extracting, replacing, or restoring a tooth, a simple procedure becomes more complex. The dentist must treat a tooth that is less accessible due to teeth laying at an angle or being crowded together. Extraordinary care must be taken when obtaining impressions and planning the placement of a prosthetic. It should be noted that in the case of early intervention, when teeth are emerging too quickly for the jaw to accommodate, extraction of premolars is a common treatment to reduce or prevent misalignment.
Most dentists will recommend a temporary fix until the teeth can be straightened. With advancements in the way braces work and the addition of tooth-colored brackets, you can achieve a straighter smile more discreetly and in far less time.
Computer Designed Braces
Digitally designed braces are more efficient at moving teeth into their proper positions and work faster. This allows the majority of orthodontic patients to achieve a straighter smile in a year or less. The look of modern braces has also changed. While metal orthodontia is still required in some cases, most can wear ceramic brackets.
Early Intervention
For children with teeth that are emerging at an angle or becoming crowded, the sooner they receive treatment, the better their results will be. Phase one orthodontics is ideal for correcting existing issues in school-age children and can reduce or prevent the need for extensive correction later.
When it comes to achieving a stunning smile, straighter teeth always come first. If you are interested in learning more about how you can protect your oral health and gain straighter teeth at the same time, call Hercules dentist Dr. Ashley Ho, today!