Why Need Braces?

We often see braces in kids and young teens, but it doesn’t mean they are only intended for young ones. The reasons why we need braces and other types of orthodontic treatment will vary from one patient to another. There are about three million people in the U.S. and Canada who wear braces and that number includes a rapidly rising percentage of adults.

Obviously, it’s the dentist who will be the first to determine that you need to seek orthodontic treatment. Therefore, he will most likely be recommending the best orthodontist in your local area for a consultation.

Who Should Have Braces?

According to the AAO or the American Association of Orthodontists, children must be taken to their first orthodontic consultation right before they reach the age of seven. For some, it’s unusual and awkward to have their seven-year old child wear braces at such a young age. The thing is the first consultation is actually a pre-screening, giving the orthodontist a pretty clear-cut idea on the kind of preventative measures that can be taken in order to correct any scenario or situations that can lead to wearing braces in the future. The same visit will also see the orthodontist giving the parents an advice on the kind of orthodontic treatment planning in the future. As for adults, seeking orthodontic treatment can be done at any given time and it is never too late to have their teeth corrected, provided there is a need to.

The typical “first time” visit to the orthodontist usually involves visual evaluation of the particular patient’s facial and teeth structure. After that, an extensive discussion, comprised primarily of explanations on the findings will follow. This is then the time where the orthodontist recommends a more comprehensive examination or perhaps the start of a specific type of treatment. The patient’s diagnostic records will then have to be produced. The diagnostic tools that includes models of the teeth, x-rays, and photos of the face and teeth will be handled by the orthodontist and he will use them to study and eventually formulate the ideal treatment plan.

Instances Needing Braces

Again, you need to remember that braces are intended to move teeth in their ideal position and they also align for the objective of proper biting. This is medically referred to as occlusion. Malocclusion on the other hand is the misalignment of the teeth between the upper and lower arches. The first molars are used as the reference point.

There are patients who have an ideal bite but still suffer from crowding or spacing, which in turn still corresponds to misaligned bite. Crowding is a type of dental condition that will result to overlapping, rotating, or incorrectly positioned teeth. In the most extreme of cases, it causes the tooth to be trapped in the bone. Crowding usually happens when the dental arch is just too small for an adult’s teeth or perhaps the teeth are larger than usual.

More than Just Braces and Straight Teeth

Lastly, seeking for orthodontist services isn’t just about straight teeth. There are other conditions other than an incorrect bite and misaligned teeth that can be properly addressed by this type of dentist. The list includes difficulty in chewing, gum disease, tooth decay, grinding and clenching of the teeth, sleep apnea due to snoring and breathing in the mouth, jaw pain, and speech impediments. So if you’re suffering from any of those conditions, you may have to consult your general dentist to ask if you need an orthodontist.