What is orthodontics and why is it necessary?

The benefits of orthodontic treatment often go beyond the physical changes of an improved bite and aligned teeth; it is also a great way to improve a person’s overall confidence. While having aesthetically appealing teeth is important, it is even more important to address any potential health issues associated with the teeth or jaw. Over time, excessive strain on gum tissues and the bone that supports the teeth can affect the jaw joints leading to problems. In this article, we will dive deeper into why you should consider orthodontics, the benefits of treatment, and the importance of aligning teeth.

Let’s start from the beginning: what is orthodontics?

Wonder what orthodontic treatment is? Orthodontics is a specialty in the field of dentistry, the word is derived from Latin ("ortho" means straight, "dontics" means related to teeth).

Orthodontic treatment offers a solution for achieving straighter and properly aligned teeth, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and functionality. Beyond the cosmetic benefits, orthodontics plays a crucial role in ensuring the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and jaw joints. By effectively distributing the biting pressure across all your teeth, orthodontic treatment promotes a balanced oral environment that safeguards your overall dental well-being.

Reasons why orthodontic treatment is necessary

We’re here to answer why orthodontic treatment is beneficial for some people. There are an array of reasons why an individual may need orthodontic treatment. Here are the top reasons why orthodontic treatment (clear aligners or braces) is necessary.

Reasons for orthodontic treatment for adults & children

While there are a lot of reasons for orthodontic treatment, here are some of the most common reasons:

• Breathing or swallowing problems: mouth breathing can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.
• Crossbite: One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (towards the tongue).
  
• Crowding: involving extra teeth or malpositioned teeth.
  
• Deep overbite: the lower front teeth bite into the upper tissue of the upper teeth.
  
• Change to: Skeletal discrepancies between the jaws that can affect how top and bottom teeth fit together.
  
• Missing or extra teeth: due to tooth decay, injuries, or inherited problems.
  
• Overjet (protruding upper teeth): upper teeth that protrude beyond normal and are usually associated with a recessed lower jaw and are at high risk for fracture.
  
• Open bite: the inability for a mouth to close correctly due to the position of teeth.
  
• Low confidence: an attractive smile can boost a person’s self-image and confidence.
  
• Spacing or gapping between teeth: teeth are missing or may be too small
  
• Speech, chewing, or biting issues: result from improper occlusion and jaw alignment.
  
• Underbite (lower jaw protrusion): lower jaw is -positioned too far forward in relation to the upper jaw.
  

Specific reasons children have orthodontic treatment

Apart from the reasons above, here are two specific reasons why children have orthodontic treatment:

• Finger or thumb sucking: these habits can cause protrusion of the upper incisor teeth and constriction of the upper jaw.
  
• Insufficient space for erupting permanent teeth
• Teeth erupting out of position: can be guided to proper alignment.

What is the importance of orthodontic treatment?

Understanding the importance of orthodontic treatment is crucial for comprehending why sometimes wearing braces or aligners is essential. Orthodontic problems like misaligned teeth, shifting jaws, or difficulty chewing should be addressed as soon as they are identified, as these problems tend to worsen over time. Neglecting such problems can result in serious consequences, including tooth decay, gum disease, abnormal wearing of tooth enamel, and other oral health complications. Well-planned, doctor-monitored orthodontic treatment can play a significant role in maintaining oral health and overall well-being.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits, including the improvement of oral health, increased self-confidence and overall well-being. The benefits of orthodontic treatment encompass not only the correction of misaligned teeth but also the positive impact it has on one's health and self-esteem. Clear aligners, a popular option within orthodontic treatment, provide additional benefits due to their discreet appearance and convenience. By embracing orthodontic treatment, individuals can unlock a wealth of benefits for their oral health and overall quality of life.

Here are a few things that orthodontic treatment can do for you:

• Ensure proper function of teeth
• Create a healthy, attractive smile and facial structure
  
• Maintain a good bite making it easier to chew and speak
  
• Avoid tooth decay or loss by making them easier to clean
  
• Avoid expensive procedures that could result from untreated orthodontic issues
  

So, who can get braces or clear aligners?

When it comes to braces or clear aligners, determining whether someone is a candidate for these orthodontic treatments is essential. Generally, anyone who has orthodontic issues such as misaligned teeth, -crowding, gaps, or bite irregularities can be a candidate for braces or clear aligners.

.While children often receive treatment once the majority of their permanent teeth, adults can also pursue orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles and correct dental alignment. Ultimately, it is important to consult with an expert doctor who can assess individual cases and determine who can get braces or clear aligners based on their specific needs and oral health condition.

Interested in seeing if Impress clear aligners are right for your smile needs? Take our 60-second quiz to learn more.

Impress: the leading expert in modern orthodontics

At Impress, we offer tech-enhanced clear aligner orthodontic treatments tailored to your smile needs. Our expert doctors assess your smile, listen to your goals and design treatment plans to achieve them. We believe a healthy smile is a confident one and can align moderate to complex smile cases.

Interested in starting your smile transformation? Visit an Impress clinic near you today to consult with one of our expert doctors about orthodontic treatment. Book your appointment now. Feel free to give us a call and we can assist you further.