Orthodontic Treatment: Your smile can make a powerful impression on others
Your smile can make a powerful impression on others. It’s one of the main points of connection that enables you to share your thoughts and emotions with the people in your life. Is your smile saying what you want it to say? Caring for your mouth is more than just brushing your teeth and occasionally visiting your dentist. Even at a young age children learn to take good care of their teeth by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. But good health for your smile takes more than brushing your teeth. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the holistic, larger picture of your mouth’s health. From improving the strength and alignment of your jaw to correcting the positioning of all your teeth and how they fit together, orthodontic treatment methods can support and better the overall functioning of your mouth. Your orthodontic specialist will be your professional guide on the path to a healthier mouth and more beautiful smile.
Before choosing your orthodontist, consider reaching out to your dentist for recommendations. Your dentist should be able to share several great suggestions for other professionals in the orthodontic field that are practicing the most current and technologically advanced treatment methods. Does your dentist have children or teens? If so, consider asking who they see for their orthodontic treatment needs in order to find an orthodontic office that will work for your entire family. Of course, make sure that the orthodontist you choose is licensed by the American Association of Orthodontists, which is the governing organization that creates the ethical standards and training standards for the industry. Once you’ve selected the orthodontist that you’d like to work with, it’s time to set up a consultation appointment. Your orthodontist will take into consideration all the unique aspects of your mouth and will be able to share with you several strong recommendations for which orthodontic treatment method will be the best fit for your smile. There is a wide variety of orthodontic treatment methods available these days. From traditional braces to clear braces, lingual braces, retainers, or Invisalign braces, there is an orthodontic treatment method available to suit your specific needs.
Your orthodontist might want you to consider using a retainer or spacer to realign teeth and correct your smile. These classic orthodontic treatment tools are effective but might not be the right fit for your mouth’s needs. In that case, you’ll likely want to choose from one of many different kinds of braces for your orthodontic treatment. Traditional, metal braces are usually what people think of when they think of orthodontics. This method has some amount of stigma associated with it for some people, as orthodontic treatment has a considerable impact on the patient’s appearance during the treatment period. Traditional braces are an effective form of treatment and involve attaching brackets to each tooth that needs repositioning, affixing wire to those brackets, then tightening the brackets over a period of time. Your orthodontist will create a treatment plan that includes measurements for the increments of tightening so that the movement of teeth is slow and deliberate over time.
For those interested in slightly more discreet orthodontic treatment options, consider clear braces. This method is very similar to traditional braces with one major difference. There are still brackets that are attached to each tooth, but they are clear. This orthodontic treatment method has a more subtle impact on the patient’s appearance during treatment. Lingual braces, also referred to as hidden braces, are another good option for a discreet form of orthodontic treatment. This method is similar to traditional braces but the difference is that the brackets are attached to the back of each tooth, the wires are affixed behind the teeth, and all the tightening takes place behind the teeth as well. This option is a good fit for some patients but may cause discomfort for others.
An innovative form of orthodontic treatment for smile correction, which is both discreet and effective is called Invisalign braces. Invisalign braces are a wonderful option for adults, teens, seniors, and even kids. With this form of orthodontic treatment, patients receive a series of plastic aligners that are completely clear, computer designed and 3D printed. Over the course of treatment, you wear a different aligner in accordance with the treatment schedule that your orthodontist creates. Invisalign braces are a great fit for families, as adults enjoy the incredibly discreet nature of the treatment and kids appreciate that nothing is permanently attached to the teeth.
Regardless of which orthodontic treatment option that you choose, your orthodontist will work with you to find the perfect orthodontic treatment method that will improve and enhance your smile.