Can Anyone Have Orthodontic Treatment?

Not everyone is blessed with the genetics for perfect, straight teeth. But remember, if you have teeth, you can have orthodontic treatment.

Is Orthodontic Treatment for You?

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or someone else, you may be wondering when the right time to see an orthodontist is. This is a good question, with a number of answers.

The most basic answer is this: you should see the orthodontist any time you have concerns about your bite quality or the alignment of your teeth. Sometimes, problems in this area can be completely obvious. For instance, you may struggle with biting, speaking or chewing. Perhaps some of the teeth protrude, are crowded or blatantly misaligned.

If this sounds familiar, it maybe time for orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist has the special training and skills required to diagnose and treat your unique issues. However, there are other conditions that may not be as obvious. Grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, mouth breathing, and the inability to close your lips comfortably may be signs that you need orthodontic treatment. Also, if your jaw tends to shift in position often or makes a sound when it does move, or if you find you often bite your check without meaning to, you might have an orthodontic problem.

Teeth that meet in an abnormal way can also result in a facial imbalance. This means that your facial features may not be in proportion with others. This is another problem that can be treated with the help of orthodontic treatment.

What Exactly is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that focuses on correcting improperly positioned jaws and teeth. Crooked teeth that don’t fit together properly are hard to look after. Crooked teeth are also often more susceptible to periodontal disease and tooth decay.

What’s more, an improperly positioned jaw and teeth can cause stress on your chewing muscles. This strain often results in frequent headaches. back, neck and shoulder pain as well as TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) syndrome are also the result of orthodontic problems.

The benefits of the right orthodontic treatment include a more pleasing appearance, a functioning bite, healthier mouth and straight teeth that will last a lifetime.