Do You Need Orthodontics?
An improper bite and crooked teeth may make you feel insecure about your smile or may make eating and chewing difficult. Additionally, an improper bite can cause your teeth to wear down unevenly or lead to muscle tension and pain.
Teeth that are protruding may chip and break, causing pain in the mouth and jaw, and crowded teeth are more difficult to clean, which may cause cavities.
A smile full of straight teeth may help boost self-esteem, but it can also promote good oral health. Orthodontic treatment can move teeth at any age, so it is important to have your dentist examine your teeth regularly to make recommendations based on your situation.
Improper Bites
The way your top and bottom teeth come together is considered your “bite.” If they do not fit together correctly, you can experience difficulty eating, chewing, and speaking, depending on the severity.
Different types of non-ideal bites include:
- Overbite – the upper front teeth protrude
- Deep bite – the upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much
- Underbite – the lower front teeth protrude
- Open bite – the back teeth are together, but the upper and lower front teeth do not touch
- Gapped – the teeth are far apart from each other creating space between teeth
- Crossbite – the upper and lower teeth do not line up with each other
- Crowded bite – the teeth are too close together and overlap
Fixing such mal-alignment can improve your smile and your overall health. Consult your dentist if you have concerns.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a less-invasive removable option to straighten your teeth. They are, at times, a favourable alternative to traditional braces as they use clear plastic aligners to move teeth into place.
Pros of Invisalign
Generally, Invisalign is nearly undetectable when being worn as the clear aligners fit over the teeth and use pressure to guide teeth into place. Invisalign is a good option for individuals with minimal work needed on their teeth. The removable design allows patients to keep their regular oral hygiene routine.
Invisalign is also generally more cost-efficient and worn for less time, which is ideal for most lifestyles.
Cons of Invisalign
Invisalign can help many different types of smiles, but they may not be the best option for all.
Due to Invisalign being removable, wearers must have a certain degree of self-discipline to ensure they are wearing them consistently. Wearers must remove the aligners for eating and drinking, so there is a significant temptation to leave them out for extended amounts of time.
If teeth need to move vertically or rotate, Invisalign may not be as effective. Additionally, significant bite issues with back teeth cannot always be treated efficiently with Invisalign aligners.
All About Braces
Braces have been the traditional form of orthodontic treatment used to move teeth into alignment for many years. Brackets and wires are attached to the teeth using dental cement and then tightened, applying gentle pressure the teeth to guide them into place.
Pros of Braces
Braces are permanent appliances that are worn on the teeth for a predetermined amount of time. They require periodic appointments to tighten the wires to ensure teeth are moving correctly.
Braces are suitable for most extreme cases that require additional appliances and bite alignment. The metal wires and brackets are strong enough to rotate teeth or move teeth vertically into place. Generally, traditional braces are considered more effective for complex orthodontic treatment plans.
Newer styles of braces are smaller and less noticeable on the teeth, with the option to have clear brackets or add coloured elastics for a more “fun” look.
Cons of Braces
The downside of traditional braces is that they may require extra steps when brushing and flossing teeth to avoid food particles and bacteria getting stuck between the teeth.
Braces are not ideal for wearers that play high-contact sports regularly as trauma sustained to the teeth can cause significant damage to the mouth and jaw.Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial for most smiles that require teeth realignment. If you’d like to explore your options, please book an appointment with your dentist for a professional opinion.
