How Orthodontic Treatments Can Help

Malocclusion is a dental condition where the teeth are not in their correct position. In such a case, you can choose orthodontics. The orthodontic treatments can be cosmetic, but most of the time aim to improve your oral functions.

Reasons for Getting Orthodontic Treatments

When you seek orthodontics near you, the dentist will offer them for the following:

• Closing wide gaps between the teeth
• Straightening crooked teeth
• Aligning the tips of your teeth
• Improve chewing abilities and speech
• Maintain long term health of your teeth and gums
• Correct an improper bite
• Prevent long-term trauma and wear of the teeth

Apart from improving chewing, speech, and other oral functionalities, orthodontics can enhance your smile. To achieve your orthodontic goals, your dentist will use different treatment options and devices in orthodontics.

Treatment Options in Orthodontics

When you seek treatments for misaligned or crooked teeth, your dentist will choose an orthodontic option depending on the condition and severity. Below are some of the treatment options in orthodontics:

Fixed Appliances

When you have severely crooked or misaligned teeth, your dentist might recommend fixed appliances such as dental braces and space maintainers.

Traditional dental braces consist of metal brackets, wires, and bands. Bands are fixed permanently on the teeth while the brackets run in front of your teeth. Dentists or orthodontists then fix wires running through the brackets and anchor them using the bands.

After placing the arch-shaped wires, your dentist might recommend regular follow-up sessions. During the follow-up sessions, the dentist will tighten the wires. As the arch-wires apply tension on the teeth, they move them towards the desired positions.

On the other hand, space maintainers are beneficial for children who have lost their baby teeth. The space maintainers prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting towards the space left after tooth loss.

When getting space maintainers, the dentist will fix a band on one tooth next to the gap. A wire then goes from the band to the other tooth to hold the band in place.

Removable Treatment Options

If you have moderate or mild malocclusion, your dentist might recommend removable treatment options such as:

• Invisalign. If you have mild to moderate teeth crookedness and want to use virtually invisible treatments, your dentist might recommend such aligners. When you get such treatments, your dentist will recommend wearing a set of aligners for two or three weeks which move your teeth towards the desired positions.

• Lip and Cheek Bumpers. Your dentist might recommend bumpers for your cheeks and lips to relieve pressure.

• Headgears. Your dentist can fix a strap around the back of the head and attach it to a wire. Such treatments aim to slow down the growth of the upper jaw and keep the back teeth in position.

• Palatal Expanders. A palatal expander makes the arch of your upper jaw wider. The orthodontic appliance consists of a plastic plate and screws that your dentist in Petaluma, CA, places on your palate.

• Retainers. Retainers are supplementary treatments in orthodontics. After removing your aligners or braces for good, the dentist might recommend retainers to hold the moved teeth in place. Your dentist can also recommend retainer treatments if your child sucks their thumbs.

What to Expect?

Treatment to correct misaligned or crooked teeth starts during early teenage. However, you can start the treatments during adulthood or childhood if you have a cleft palate or lip.

When you get dental braces, food particles might get stuck between the wire brackets. Therefore, you should consider brushing your teeth carefully to prevent tooth decay. However, if you have removable orthodontic treatments, you can remove them when eating and brushing your teeth.

Benefits of Orthodontics

When you choose orthodontics, you are open to aesthetics and several health benefits. Some of the benefits of orthodontia include:

• Prevent the risk of developing tooth decay and gums infections since they align your teeth to facilitate proper oral hygiene
• Orthodontics helps enhance your appearance, thus boosts your self-confidence
• Treatments can also improve your speech and other oral functionalities
• With orthodontics, you can prevent the risk of temporomandibular disorders

Therefore, if you need to enjoy the benefits of orthodontics, you can visit the dentist near you. If you are looking for orthodontic services in CA, you can consider visiting us at Petaluma Dental Group.