Orthodontics is a field of dentistry focused on teeth and jaw alignment using treatment such as braces, space maintainers, and other oral appliances. Orthodontics have many life-changing benefits:
Orthodontics can improve people's confidence in their appearance. Many people are insecure about their appearance because they have crooked teeth, spaces between teeth, or over or under bites. Braces can change lives by replacing that insecurity with confidence.
Orthodontics help save teeth. Teeth that are crowded are more difficult to clean, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease, often leading to tooth loss or restorative treatment to prevent tooth loss.
Orthodontics help prevent muscle pain. Teeth that don't fit together properly upon contact cause stress on chewing muscles, which can lead to headaches and jaw pain or TMJ syndrome.
Orthodontics can save you money. Yes, you read that right. Ortho treatment is an investment in your overall oral health. Treatment can save future dental expenses by minimizing the treatment resulting from disease, decay, and muscle pain mentioned above.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED BRACES?
Your general dentist and Dr. Tang our orthodontist, will help identify whether you are a good candidate for orthodontics. Typically, if you have any of the following, you will benefit from treatment. (Bite refers to the way your upper and lower teeth come together.)
Crowding - Teeth are crooked or overlap because there is not enough space for teeth in the arch of your mouth
Spacing - Gaps between teeth resulting from missing teeth, undersized teeth, oversized jaw, or a combination of these
Overbite - "Buck teeth" - Upper front teeth protrude because the upper jaw is too far forward, the lower jaw is too far back, the teeth grew in at an angle, or a combination of these
Deep Bite - Upper front teeth cover the lower teeth
Open Bite - Front or back teeth do not meet or overlap
Underbite - Lower teeth or jaw are too far forward from upper teeth
Misplaced Midline - Center of upper teeth don't line up with center of lower teeth
