Orthodontist - Braces or Not

Many people visit the dentist for a regular oral exam or teeth cleaning. But there are many people out there that suffer from malocclusion, or what is better known as a "bad bite". The most common treatment for crooked teeth is braces. An orthodontist is the dental professional who can administer braces.

There are a lot of people out there who suffer from malocclusion, in which their teeth are crooked and crowded. There are also some cases in which the upper and lower jaws may don't properly meet and even though the teeth appear straight, the bite is uneven. Teeth that aren't aligned properly can be caused from many things, including prematurely losing teeth, thumb sucking and genetics.

Crooked and crowded teeth make it harder to clean the mouth, leading to tooth decay, gum disease or tooth loss. That's why people should visit an orthodontist if they have teeth that aren't aligned properly. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of facial and dental irregularities. Orthodontics was the first recognized specialty field within dentistry. Many countries require different training for orthodontists, but generally a full time post-graduate study is required for someone to become an orthodontist.

An orthodontist will most likely prescribe braces, at an early age to create a nice looking smile and realign the teeth. Braces are brackets made of metal, plastic or ceramic. They can be clear or colored. There are different brackets that come in all shapes. Braces also have elastic orthodontic rubber bands, which come in all sorts of colors. Thanks to advances in dental medicine, there are now two types of braces. The fixed kind, which have to be worn all the time and can only be removed by an orthodontist, and the removable kind, which a person can take out of their mouth. Braces usually come with elastic bands that typically apply pressure to the hook, tightening the bracket and preventing the teeth to grow crookedly. The most common removable braces are Invisalign.

An orthodontist will take the mold of the teeth and patients will be able to remove the braces when they eat or brush their teeth. This can become a hassle and can be pricey, but most orthodontists approve. Most malocclusions become noticeable between the ages of 6 and 12, as the child's permanent teeth come in. An orthodontist usually treats malocclusions between the ages of 8 and 14, even though there are many adults who get braces when they are older. Some people refused braces as a child, so they got them at a later age. There are many dental problems such as overbites, underbites, crowded teeth, incorrect jaw positions and jaw joint disorders that can be treated as a child or as an adult. But, adult braces require a longer length of treatment because an adult's facial bones are no longer growing and can't be shaped as well as children. But it's never too late to see an orthodontist and improve your smile.

If you or your child suffers from crooked, crowded and misaligned teeth then don't hesitate to visit the orthodontist. Only an orthodontist can perform the correct dental procedures and prescribe braces.