When Should You See an Orthodontist?

Who Is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental expert specializing in jaw alignments and teeth straightening. Orthodontics in Katy, TX, prioritizes oral function by correcting the positioning of teeth in the jawbone.

While you may not know much about orthodontists, you may have heard about braces. They are oral appliances that apply the necessary pressure on teeth, moving them to the correct positions. The pressure must be in moderation over a prolonged period to realize desired results.

What Are the Different Types of Orthodontic Problems That Can Occur?

Orthodontic dentistry is quite popular in Pediatric Dentistry, allowing children to enjoy beautiful smiles when they become adults. However, adults too benefit from orthodontics at Charm Dental Katy, having that we treat dental problems like:

1. Spaces between teeth – unless you have lost your natural teeth, you should not have gaps between your teeth. Dentists near you use orthodontic devices to close the spaces.
2. Crooked teeth – developmental problems can result in crooked teeth, sometimes severe enough to become impacted teeth. These teeth erupt in the wrong direction, remaining partially stuck underneath the gums.
3. Overcrowding – occurs when you have too many teeth relative to the space in your jawbone. It can occur if your baby’s teeth do not fall off in good time for permanent teeth to erupt or when your teeth are too big for the available space in your jaw.
4. Improper bites – when you join your teeth together, they should align properly. However, you can have a crossbite, underbite, or overbite. These improper bites translate to some of your teeth sticking outward and forward more than is normal.

What Types of Devices Do Orthodontists Use for Treatment?

Although the most common oral appliance in orthodontic dentistry is metal braces, they are not the only ones. These are the most common ones because they have existed for many years, correcting various orthodontic problems ranging from mild to complex. Other oral devices include:

1. Invisalign® – are alternative teeth aligners that move teeth without compromising aesthetics. They are virtually invisible, making it hard to detect them when you smile.
2. Retainers – are devices that hold teeth in place after wearing braces or clear aligners. Retainers prevent teeth from shifting back to their initial position, especially during the first year after orthodontic treatment.
3. Space maintainers – are orthodontic devices for pediatric dentistry that help save space in the jawbone for new teeth to erupt. Space maintainers prove effective after premature loss of baby teeth.

Why Are Orthodontists Important?

Orthodontists are not like your general dentists in 77449. They take time to evaluate your dentition, including using x-rays. All this is to ensure they come up with an ideal solution to correct your jaw alignment and straighten your teeth. Consider the following benefits of orthodontic treatments if you doubt the essence of orthodontists near you:

1. Overcoming dental pain – some of the pain you experience in your jaw is improper bites. An improper bite places unnecessary pressure on your jaw, resulting in jaw pain.
2. Improving aesthetics – although orthodontics is different from cosmetic dentistry, its procedures can elevate your aesthetics. Aside from straightening teeth, orthodontics help accentuate your facial features by modifying the bone structures through jawbone realignment.
3. Boosting oral function – a misaligned jaw and malpositioned teeth can sometimes hinder your ability to pronounce words properly and chew effortlessly.
4. Improving oral hygiene – your oral cleanliness is directly impacted by the positioning of your teeth in the jawbone. Improperly aligned teeth can make it difficult to keep a clean mouth, especially if you have overcrowded teeth. Once your teeth are straight, you will not have many hidden corners where plaque and tartar can hide.
5. Lowering the risk of dental cavities – Dental decay begins to form in the places where plaque tends to situate. You may be surprised that you have had a cavity between two overlapping teeth.
6. Boosting gum health – the gum tissue undergoes tension that could lead to gum recession. Besides, you have a Heightened risk of gum disease when you have crooked teeth than not.