Why You Should See An Orthodontist
Misalignment can cause a variety of problems. Orthodontists correct these issues with a variety of non-obtrusive techniques and devices.
Orthodontists are dental specialists
You should visit your orthodontist Boston twice a year for a cleaning and to prevent dental problems. Orthodontists can deal with certain issues that general dentists cannot. This specialist within dentistry focuses on straightening and fixing your teeth.
Orthodontists complete an additional 4,000 education hours after graduating dental school. This means that they have a more in-depth understanding of the teeth and oral cavity than a general practitioner. They are trained to diagnose, prevent, intercept and treat dental problems as well as facial irregularities.
Invisalign and braces are used to move teeth slowly into the desired position. These treatments can correct the appearance of the teeth and improve the balance of the face. They can also relieve certain dental conditions like jaw pain.
Orthodontists are also able to provide other treatments, such as fillings, crowns, and extractions, to repair damaged or failing tooth. They are also able to diagnose and treat various gum diseases, abscesses, and other dental issues that affect the teeth, jaw, and mouth.
Because they can deal with a wider range of problems, it is common for orthodontists to be asked by their patients to refer them to other specialists like oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty that deals with the mouth, teeth, and jaws, including wisdom tooth removal, jaw reconstruction, and treating facial trauma.
You can get your teeth and mouth checked by a dentist
Orthodontists create customized treatment plans for each patient using in-person exams and 2D or 3-D x-rays. They also use photos and molds to the mouth. They diagnose existing problems and prevent future issues, such as crooked or gapped teeth. Healthy teeth and gums allow you to speak, chew and bite more easily. They also reduce stress on your jaw joints.
Your orthodontist also checks for impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts and solid growths (tumors), infections and fractures. A panoramic x-ray, which provides a complete radiographic image of the face and jaws, allows your orthodontist to see all of these things.
Other common orthodontic problems include overcrowding which occurs when the upper teeth and lower teeth are too closely crowded; overlapping which occurs when a front tooth sticks out beyond the rest of the teeth; and spacing which is the gap between your teeth. These can be caused by missing teeth, small teeth, or an oversized jaw. When left untreated, gaps can lead to food being trapped between your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment can close the gaps between your teeth, improving your smile’s appearance and making it easier to brush your teeth.
Orthodontists may also treat issues not related to teeth, such a jaw misalignment. It is possible that you are misaligning your jaw if you bite or smack your lips when eating. Braces and other orthodontic devices can correct this. In some cases, it can reduce chronic pain and even improve your breathing. Other signs include clenching and grinding your teeth, biting the roof of your mouth with your tongue or unintentionally biting cheeks.
They treat issues with your teeth and gums
When it comes to your smile, your orthodontist can help you with a number of issues that affect the way your teeth and jaw function. Some of these issues are cosmetic in nature, but most orthodontic treatment is aimed at improving oral health and function.
Orthodontists are often called upon to treat bite misalignment. Malocclusion is caused by three conditions: overbite, underbite< or crossbite. Untreated malocclusions can lead to increased decay, gum disease and abnormal wear of the enamel. They can also make it difficult to chew. Orthodontists may use braces, aligners and other dental devices to correct these problems depending on the case.
Orthodontists also treat gaps in between teeth. These can be caused by missing teeth, small teeth or an oversized jaw and can affect the appearance of your smile and also make it difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontists close these gaps using braces or aligners which apply gentle pressure over time to the teeth to move them to their correct position.
Overcrowding can also be corrected by orthodontic treatment. In this case, there isn’t sufficient space in the jaw for all teeth to fit correctly. Orthodontists can correct this by removing some of the teeth or using expanders to increase the width of the mouth. Orthodontists can also help with overbite issues, underbite issues and cross bite problems by using braces or alignmenters to reposition teeth and correct how they meet when you shut your mouth. They can also use headgear that applies gentle pressure from outside the face to adjust the alignment of your jaws. This is particularly useful if you have an overbite or underbite that can’t be corrected with other means.
They provide treatments
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who can treat misaligned teeth and bite issues. While dentists are able to perform some orthodontic treatments, they typically refer patients to orthodontists for more complex alignment and bite corrections.
Orthodontists use 2D and 3D medical imaging to diagnose patients, including X rays and CT scanners. Once they have a full picture of the problem they can create a treatment plan that is tailored to the patient’s specific situation. They can create and fit braces that will put pressure on the teeth over time to realign them, as well as devices that promote growth or slow the rate of growth.
Orthodontists are also able to address the issues that can occur when a patient has an overbite, underbite or crossbite. These are conditions where the upper teeth extend out or over the lower ones, which can make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, leading to a greater risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
There are many different orthodontic appliances. These include metal and ceramic braces as well as clear aligners, expanders for the palatal region, splints, and other devices. Orthodontists will choose the best appliance based on the condition of the patient and the type of treatment needed. Orthodontists have a wide range of experience treating patients with these appliances and will consider a variety of factors when choosing the right treatment option, such as age, possible jaw imbalances and differences in the size of the teeth.