What You Should Know About Orthodontic Treatment

 

Orthodontic treatment can improve your appearance, as well as the health of your teeth and gums. Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause a wide variety of problems including dental wear, gum and bone loss, abnormal tooth decay, jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain, headaches, and more.

 

A straight smile is attractive and can boost your self-confidence. It can also increase your chances of a healthier lifestyle.

 

If you're unsure if orthodontics is right for you, talk to your doctor about your options. Orthodontist North West Las Vegas can help you decide if braces or clear aligners are the best option for you.

 

Children should receive orthodontics when the jaw bones are still growing, as this will create a better environment for permanent teeth to grow into. During this time, orthodontists can often correct jaw growth and correct some malocclusions without the need for surgery, making early treatment a great way to ensure your child's healthy smile for life!

 

Typically, kids get their first orthodontics at age 7 or 8 as this is when most of the permanent teeth are erupting. However, some cases, such as those of kids with cleft palates, require an earlier start.

 

Treatment usually takes around 12-18 months. During this time, your orthodontist will use appliances to move your teeth into their ideal positions.

 

There are a variety of devices that your orthodontist can use to achieve the desired results, including wires, brackets, rubber bands, and headgear. In addition to these, he or she may recommend fixed appliances or removable retainers to prevent tooth shifting after treatment is complete.

 

Appliances for Minor Malocclusions - Patients with mild malocclusions that do not affect chewing, speech, or keeping their teeth clean will typically use removable appliances such as aligners, retainers, and space maintainers. These devices are a great alternative to traditional metal braces and are less noticeable than other appliances. If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodontic_archwire.

 

Headgear - Patients who have a severe bite problem may need to wear a headgear to push their teeth into place with pressure from outside the mouth. This treatment can take a bit longer than other types of appliances, as it involves applying extra force to the teeth and jaws.

 

TADs - Temporary anchorage devices are mini-screws that attach to the teeth and provide a point from which to apply force to move them into position. TADs are used in conjunction with other appliances, such as wires and brackets, to speed up the progression of treatment.

 

Aligners - In recent years, clear aligners have become more popular for adults. These are custom oral appliances that are made to fit your unique needs and will move your teeth into their ideal positions.

 

Retainers - After your orthodontic treatment is completed, you'll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth and jaws in their new positions. Orthodontist Las Vegas can tell you how often to wear your retainer to keep your smile beautiful for a lifetime.

Other Adult Orthodontic Services

 

The most important part of any orthodontic treatment is to be patient and follow the instructions from your orthodontist. It can be a long process, but it will bring you a smile that you'll be proud to show off!