Orthodontic Options for Teen, Adults
You have been looking at yourself in the mirror for years. You’ve tried different haircuts. You may have even tried different hair color or different facial hair styles.
But one thing has never changed your teeth.
If you are a teenager, you know that orthodontics may be in your future, maybe even sooner than you think. If you are an adult, you may be hesitant to consider orthodontic care, although it has become more common for adults.
No matter if you are getting ready for a test in a classroom or a meeting in a boardroom, The Waterford Dentist in Waterford, MI, has orthodontic options that can work for you.
Why People Try Orthodontics?
Everyone wants to look his or her best. For better or for worse, this includes our smiles.
When your teeth are crooked, crowded, or gapped, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. When you have a crossbite, open bite, overbite, or underbite, the alignment of your teeth affects your profile, too.
Many people focus on the cosmetic improvements that come with orthodontic care, but that’s only part of the story. Our dentists also care about the oral health benefits that come with having straighter teeth.
When your teeth are straight, they are easier to clean. This means the brushing and floss that you do every day (you are doing them every day, right?) are more effective at removing bacteria and plaque from inside your mouth. This means you are less likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease, too.
When your teeth are crowded, it may be difficult to floss between them. When your teeth are crooked or overlap, you may have spaces that you can’t reach with your toothbrush. This can give bacteria an opportunity to grow.
Types Of Orthodontic Treatments
If you or someone you love could benefit from straight teeth, then you want to know that the orthodontic treatment will be effective.
At The Waterford Dentist, we watch for potential alignment problems every time our patients visit us. We take X-rays to monitor changes in your bite, and we watch closely how your adult teeth erupt.
With that in mind, here are the types of orthodontic care you may receive at our office.
Preventive orthodontics
This type of treatment can save your child from needing more complex orthodontic treatment, or it may reduce the length of time it will take for his or her orthodontic care to work.
If possible, we will take steps to prevent a bad bite or crooked teeth from developing. Sometimes this is as simple as using a space maintainer if a baby tooth falls out too early.
Dentofacial orthodontics
This type of orthodontics does more than just push and pull your teeth. These types of orthodontics will change the shape of your jaw, which will allow your teeth to grow straighter.
Traditional braces
If you want a tried and true technique that will work on practically any tooth alignment problem, then traditional braces will work for you. Using brackets and wires (and sometimes small rubber bands), we can push and pull your teeth into the straightest possible position.
Braces can take two years or more to work, but in the end, you will appreciate how much your smile has changed.
Ceramic braces
For patients who need braces but are a little self-conscious about wearing them, ceramic braces may be a better option.
Ceramic braces have brackets that are the same color as teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to make them as discreet as possible.
Short-term orthodontics
We offer two types of short-term orthodontics at our office, Invisalign and Clear Correct. These are sometimes called “clear braces,” but they actually use plastic aligners instead of brackets and wires.
A series of plastic aligners are made for you after we make an impression of your teeth. Every few weeks, you replace your aligner with a new one. Each aligner gently pushes your teeth closer to their straight position.
The aligners also offer a couple of advantages over braces. First, they are clear, which means you can wear them to work or to school and many people may ever notice. Second, they often work faster than traditional braces for patients who are eligible to use the plastic aligners.
Time To Straighten Up
2016 is still young. Don’t wait any longer to fix your problems.
You should not be ashamed of your teeth, and with orthodontics, you can have the smile you have dreamed of having. If you live in or near Waterford, MI, visit The Waterford Dentist office. We would be happy to examine your teeth and recommend the most effective orthodontic treatment for you.
To make an appointment or to learn more or call (248) 674-0495.