Orthodontic Treatment: A Smart Way To Improve Your Smile
Orthodontic treatment can help people whose top and bottom teeth do not align. Small palates, overbites, crossbites, and underbites can all be fixed with orthodontics. These facts can address some common fears and misconceptions about orthodontic treatment:
1. Change occurs gradually
The changes made through orthodontic treatments, such as braces, occur gradually. This can be good and bad news, depending on your perspective. Because teeth and jawbones are realigned gradually, most people do not feel a significant amount of pain during the orthodontic process. Any discomfort you feel when your braces are applied or tightened is likely to be transient and easy to manage with over-the-counter medication. However, this does mean that you'll have to be patient while waiting to see the final results of your orthodontic treatment.
2. Tooth extractions are not always necessary
Many people worry that they'll have to have some teeth pulled in order to get the results they want from orthodontic treatment. You may be happy to know that tooth extractions are not always necessary. Extractions are usually performed in cases of overcrowding, but not every orthodontic patient presents with overcrowding. Furthermore, orthodontists can also take a more conservative approach. Dentists can reduce the enamel on your teeth with a fine dental file in order to make more room in your mouth without removing teeth.
3. Options besides braces are available
Braces are sometimes seen as a rite of passage for adolescents, but there are many reasons why a person might prefer not to wear braces. Some people dislike the way braces look, while others feel unable to abide by the dietary restrictions imposed by braces. Luckily, there are alternative orthodontic treatments available for people who do not wish to wear traditional braces. Clear aligners are transparent retainers made of plastic that can be used to shift the teeth into new positions, much like braces can. Clear aligners are removable, discreet, and easy to clean, which makes them a great choice for many people.
4. Orthodontic treatment may improve your quality of life
If you're stuck on the fence trying to decide if orthodontic treatment is worth it, you can consider the potential benefits. Many people feel that orthodontic treatment improves their quality of life by boosting their self-confidence. When you're happy with the way your smile looks, you can feel free to smile more often. Additionally, correcting oral malocclusion can reduce tooth and jaw pain that results from biting and chewing.
Contact a local orthodontics service to learn more.
