Advantages of Orthodontic Treatment

Braces are not a vanity project. Even ceramic braces or Invisalign products are not just about better smiles. Mouth structures require a delicate balance, and falling out of it can disrupt eating and speaking. Poor habits that begin in childhood, not to mention genetic flaws that are nobody’s fault, can lead to all kinds of bite issues that need addressing. 

The dental term for bad bite is malocclusion. These include the following: 

Crossbite—one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth toward the tongue
Overbite—lower teeth reach the tissue of the upper teeth
Underbite—lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw
Specific to children, other issues can include protrusion of the upper incisors brought about by thumbsucking, and adult teeth erupting out of position. 

The sooner these issues are treated, the more trouble you and your Northridge dentist can dodge. Braces are still a very relevant product, especially since upgrades have improved them visually. Braces pull the teeth into proper alignment using brackets and archwires or, in the case of self-ligating braces, metal clips. Braces handle deeper orthodontic issues as well, and can manipulate a problematic jaw. 

Invisalign straightens teeth with clear plastic aligners that keep your treatment virtually invisible to the public. Invisalign may not get the necessary results for severe cases of malocclusion. That data is still out. However, it remains a recommended treatment for a smile without significant structural defects. 

In any orthodontic scenario, there is a chance of relapse. Teeth can loosen and bone can erode. Teeth can be lost, and the nearby teeth encroach on vacancies. Maybe the last advantage of orthodontics is their continued application throughout life, even for the very old. As lifespans expand, older patients are coming in for orthodontic work. Retreatment may be even more necessary for patients who don’t use their retainer as described, even if it’s thirty years down the line. 

For more, contact our expert in orthodontics in Northridge.