Are you considering orthodontic treatment because of crooked teeth, bite problems, or other issues? You might be hesitant because you don't know what to expect. Orthodontic problems can worsen over time, so it is best not to wait too long for treatment.
Initial Evaluation
Orthodontic treatment starts with an evaluation of your teeth and bite. After careful evaluation, the dentist might identify:
Spaced Teeth
Visible gaps in your smile can lead to black spaces that make your smile unattractive or unhealthy. Spaces between teeth can make it hard to avoid plaque accumulation, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth can occur when your jaws don't grow large enough to accommodate all your teeth or if a tooth comes in crooked, disrupting the spacing of other teeth. Teeth can tilt or move forward or back or rotate to make space. These crowded teeth are visibly crooked, which can make you self-conscious, and they can be harder to clean, too.
Midline Problems
Midline problems occur when the midline of your smile doesn't match up with the midline of your face. This can create a smile that looks just a little off.
Bite Issues
Bite issues come in many categories, ranging from mostly cosmetic to those with serious functional impairments. Overbite, underbite, and crossbite are typical examples.
Potential Referral to a Specialist
Along with identifying the type of orthodontic issues you might be experiencing, the dentist will determine the severity of the problem. At Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale, we can treat all kinds of orthodontic issues, but not necessarily all severity of bite issues. If your orthodontic problem is beyond the scope of our practice, we will refer you to an orthodontic specialist. Our practice has multiple dental specialists, including prosthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, and pediatric dentists. We know how much of a difference working with a specialist can make in the right case.
Fixed or Removable Treatments
Wherever you receive orthodontic treatment, your dentist will utilize orthodontic appliances that apply specific force to your teeth. Applying controlled force over time encourages your body to reshape the bone around your teeth, allowing them to move or preventing them from moving. There are two types of orthodontic appliances: fixed or removable.
Fixed Orthodontic Appliances
Fixed orthodontic appliances are bonded to your teeth, allowing them to provide the desired force constantly. They are preferred when you need this constant force or when the wearer can't be trusted to follow a treatment protocol.
- Braces -- brackets and/or bands mounted on teeth that attach to a wire, which provides the force to move teeth
- Fixed spacers -- help maintain space in your bite after you lose a tooth
- Permanent retainers -- help maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment
Removable Orthodontic Appliances
Removable orthodontic appliances provide treatment flexibility. You can wear them when necessary to get results, but remove them for eating, cleaning your teeth, or special occasions. They can give the same quality results as fixed appliances, but they depend on you following the treatment protocol.
- Clear aligners (Invisalign, ClearCorrect) -- a series of clear plastic aligners that are computer-designed and worn one after another to accomplish specific tooth movements
- Retainers -- removable appliances that hold your teeth in the positions achieved during orthodontic treatment
Your Role in Successful Treatment
Orthodontics is a discipline with a long track record of successful treatment. It is a well-established science, but it also depends on you to achieve the results you want while maintaining good oral health. For fixed appliances, you need to make your orthodontic appointments on time, take special care when cleaning your teeth around the appliances, and follow guidelines for what to eat and drink during treatment. With removable appliances, you will have guidelines for how much time you have to wear your appliances -- typically 22 hours a day with clear aligners. Retainers may start with all-day wear but reduce to every night or even a few nights a week. If you follow treatment protocols, the odds are high that you will enjoy the desired results on the forecasted timetable.