Orthodontics is a kind of dentistry that aims to correct teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly – either from birth or injury. It’s important to get these issues fixed sooner rather than later, as crooked teeth and those that don’t fit correctly together can be harder to maintain and clean, leading to tooth decay and periodontal disease. In addition to that, problems with the jaw and mouth can arise, altering your physical appearance, ability to chew or even to speak correctly. Misaligned and crooked teeth can also put undue stress on the chewing muscles, leading to headaches and TMJ syndrome, as well as neck, shoulder and back pain.
Seeing an orthodontist from an early age has many benefits. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your first visit to an orthodontist be around 7-8 years of age. Not only can you correct all of the above issues, you can ensure a healthy mouth, smile and overall aesthetic appearance. These effects will likely last a lifetime provided you get treatment early and follow all directions as to the proper use of braces and retainers. An orthodontist is a doctor who has two or more years of advanced education in addition to their four years in dental school.
You may be wondering if you need orthodontics. Most children are brought to the orthodontist by their parents. However, many adults recognize the signs later in life that perhaps they need the services of an orthodontist themselves. So, how do you know if you need to visit the orthodontist? It all starts with an initial consultation to go over your medical history, undergo an examination of your mouth and jaw, and perhaps take some x-rays or molds. This is the only true way to determine whether you can benefit from orthodontics or not.
However, there are several different signs you may notice on your own beforehand that can prompt such a visit. You may be a good candidate for orthodontia if you experience the following:
- Overbite: This is when the upper teeth stick out prominently over the bottom teeth. Also known as buck teeth.
- Underbite: This is the opposite affliction, where the lower teeth push too far forward past the uppers, giving the person a bulldog appearance.
- Crossbite: There are two types of crossbite – posterior in the back of the mouth or anterior at the front. This occurs when the upper teeth fail to match up slightly in front of the lowers when biting down.
- Open Bite: This is when a space occurs in between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth as the back teeth meet.
- Misplaced Midline: This occurs when the middle of the upper front teeth fails to line up with the middle of the lower front teeth.
- Spacing: If you experience gaps or spaces between teeth, you may be in need of orthodontia.
- Crowding: Just how it sounds – too many teeth in too small a space.
If you suspect you need orthodontics or would like more details, please feel free to call Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser at 757-428-1110 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
