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Maintaining proper dental alignment is an essential aspect of one’s oral health. When teeth are in their ideal positions, the mouth functions as it should, impacting other body parts such as the neck, jaw, and throat. Unfortunately, keeping teeth aligned isn’t always easy – that’s where dentists come in! Specialists have a variety of corrective practices at their disposal for fixing misaligned pearly whites and preventing major problems from occurring down the line. Here, we outline what you need to know about how dentists plan in correcting teeth alignment more effectively.
Why Is Teeth Alignment Important?
Not only does having a crooked or misaligned mouth impact your smile, but it can also lead to other physical issues. If the bite is not properly aligned, this extra strain on certain muscles in the face will cause pain and headaches. These pain can cause you stress and it is best to give it a massage therapy in Sydney for a temporary relief. Additionally, jaw joint disorders might arise from improper alignment as well. Keeping your teeth correctly set helps reduce any unnecessary force or stress applied to facial and neck muscles for optimum health of both the oral cavity and overall well-being.
What are the Benefits of Straight Teeth?
Not only do straight teeth enhance your smile and boost your confidence, but they also have oral health benefits:
- Brushing and flossing your teeth are made easier with straightened teeth, thus reducing the odds of cavities or gum disease.
- Not only can properly aligned teeth give you a brighter smile, but they also reduce the risk of damage to your pearly whites.
- Improved ability to chew, eat, and speak with confidence.
- Chewing your food thoroughly can improve digestion and make it easier for the body to absorb essential nutrients.
- Decreased neck and head pain (some bite issues can cause chronic headaches)
- Reduced risk of developing jaw issues and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
What Treatments Are Available for Correcting Teeth Alignment?
Orthodontic treatments can offer the perfect remedy if you’re seeking a solution for your misaligned smile. After taking x-rays and assessing a patient’s mouth structure, dentist in Croydon, VIC at Maroondah Dental Care will analyze their condition to determine which treatment would be most effective – then they’ll discuss all available options with patients, so everyone is on the same page as far as decisions go.
The nine most common malocclusion treatments include:
Clear Aligners
Transform your smile with the power of invisible braces. Clear aligners are custom-molded, nearly unseen, and easily removable plastic trays that gently shift teeth into place. Patients typically wear one tray for 1 to 2 weeks before transitioning to the next set in this safe and gradual process.
For most cases of malocclusion, clear aligners are a great solution! Clear aligners can efficiently treat almost any misalignment, from crowded teeth to overbites and crossbites. However, orthodontic braces may be the better option for extreme conditions like severe underbites or gap upper teeth. Still, many patients choose the invisible comfortability provided by modern technology –clear aligners– rather than traditional metal braces.
Clear aligners are available in two different forms:
In-Office Aligners
Are you considering Invisalign treatment? General dentists or orthodontists typically do this process in their offices. During your initial consultation, a precise 3D treatment plan will be created with impressions of the upper and lower teeth taken. Then, routine visits every four to eight weeks are necessary for checkups and new aligners as needed. Most dental professionals use Invisalign’s technology and lab services; however, some have all the equipment readily available onsite to perform operations without leaving their office! Although prices may vary depending on the case’s complexity ($3,500-$8,000), it usually costs about the same amount as braces.
At-Home Aligners
Byte and SmileDirectClub offer an affordable, convenient choice to Invisalign. After ordering an impression kit from them, a 3D scanner will be used in conjunction with their printing lab to create the best treatment plan tailored to you. An advisor monitors your progress virtually throughout the entirety of your teeth-straightening journey at home, with new aligners delivered directly by mail. Prices average between $1,200 and $2,300—much more affordable than braces or Invisalign! Depending on how severe your condition is, starting treatment can take anywhere from three months up to eighteen months total time until completion.
Metal Braces
Traditional braces have long been the most trusted and reliable orthodontic solution, utilizing metal brackets held together by rubber bands connected to an archwire that encourages crooked teeth into proper alignment. With this tried-and-true method, you can trust in a safe and effective way to achieve your desired smile!
Braces have long been the go-to option to achieve a straight smile. However, today’s adults and teens often choose more discrete choices, such as transparent aligners. Treatment time varies depending on your condition but typically takes 1 ½ to 3 years; metal braces cost anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are created with the same technology and principles as metal braces. However, they feature clear brackets, which make them less visible than traditional metal ones. While still detectable, ceramic braces provide a subtler orthodontic solution than metal models.
Clear and white rubber bands secured onto the archwire facilitate a sleeker look. Treatment time is usually similar to metal braces – 18-36 months – but these tend to be pricier: ranging from $4K-$8K.
Lingual Braces
If you want another option besides traditional metal or ceramic braces, lingual braces might be the perfect solution. These custom brackets and wires fit seamlessly to your teeth’s shape and arch of the mouth; however, unlike other types of braces, these are placed on the back side of your teeth rather than in front.
Treatment with clear aligners may take more effort than traditional braces, yet it is a subtle option for orthodontic correction. Due to its complexity, it usually requires the same amount of treatment time from 6 months to 3 years and costs between $5,000 – $13,000.
Retainers
In order to maintain the beautiful smile you have achieved with braces, it is necessary to wear retainers. Retainers can be permanent or removable and help keep teeth from shifting back once treatment is complete. Generally, they should be worn for four to six months, but some people may need an extended period of time depending on their individual needs.
Headgear
Orthodontic headgear is often employed in conjunction with braces to correct more severe orthodontic issues such as underbites, overbites, and crossbites. This treatment method takes advantage of the structural changes that can be induced by bracing while also influencing jaw growth and shape. Patients usually wear their headgear for 12 hours daily for up to two years before they see maximum improvement.
Palate Expanders
Palate expanders are a staple in the early stages of orthodontic treatment, designed to widen and create more space for your child’s teeth. There are two types – removable and permanent – used to treat issues like crossbites, impacted teeth or crowded mouth areas and aid respiratory systems. Treatment usually takes three to six months but can be costly at between $2,000-$3,000; luckily, many healthcare plans cover some or all of these expenses!
Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery
Orthognathic surgery – more commonly known as corrective jaw surgery – is used to fix the severe misalignment of the jaws. It’s often recommended for those with skeletal maturity, beginning in their late teens, affording individuals a wide range of benefits, including improved eating and sleeping and assistance from TMJ disorder. While this type of procedure can cost anywhere between $20,000-$40,000 out-of-pocket, some insurance companies may cover it!
Veneers
Veneers are a perfect way for your smile to look its absolute best! These thin shells cover the front of teeth, changing their size, shape and color. While they do not straighten crooked teeth, veneers specifically aim to beautify your existing set of pearly whites – giving them an extra special touch with only aesthetic reasons in mind. Of course, these cosmetic treatments come at a price; you can expect to pay between $925-$2500 per tooth!
What Steps Are Involved in Planning Orthodontic Treatment?
Once a dentist has identified that orthodontic treatment is necessary for realigning a patient’s mouth structure, they will decide on a treatment plan based on several factors: expected movement of each individual tooth, the projected timeline for completion of the procedure, costs associated with treatment, etc.—all while keeping comfortability in mind for their patient during treatment. They will also take into account any related medical conditions (like asthma or temporomandibular joint disorder) that need additional consideration when planning orthodontic treatments.
With the approval of both dentist and the patient, it’s time to get fitted for braces! Since no two misalignment issues are alike, dentists may use a variety of approaches, such as braces and wires, elastics, or even laser technology, depending on the individual case. Your teeth will be in good hands once your dentist or orthodontist has evaluated you thoroughly and created a tailored treatment plan just for you – enabling them to choose the approach that is ideally suited for your future smile.
Conclusion
If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment due to malocclusion or misalignment issues with your bite or teeth structure, then visit your ADC Dubbo dentist soon! They’ll be able to assess your situation correctly and plan out a course of action tailored specifically towards fixing your particular problem with utmost care present throughout every step taken along the way back towards achieving the perfect smile once more wonderfully indeed!
References:
https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/guide-to-tooth-alignment-for-adults/
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/crooked-teeth
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/teeth-alignment/
https://www.wikihow.com/Straighten-Your-Teeth-Without-Braces
https://www.newmouth.com/orthodontics/treatment/teeth-straightening/
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