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Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits
of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked
and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This
can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead
to tooth loss.
Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal
wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function,
excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports
the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These
can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain.
Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than
the additional care required to treat dental problems
arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most
people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit
of orthodontics. After your braces come off, you'll
feel more self-confident.
Adults
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age,
and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful
smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment
is over 21. Jaw surgery is more often required for adult
orthodontic patients because their jaws are not growing.
Adults also may have experienced some breakdown or
loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth
and may require periodontal treatment before, during
and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also
limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that
is advisable.
Kids
It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age
7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and
the best time for that patient to be treated. The first
permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by
that time and crossbites, crowding and other problems
can be evaluated. When treatment is begun early, the
orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide
incoming permanent teeth.
Early treatment can also regulate the width of the
upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent
teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions,
reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct
thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or
speech problems. In other words, early treatment can
simplify later treatment.
How Orthodontic Treatment
Works
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic
or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets
bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force
in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move
teeth to a corrected position.
This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days
when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each
tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic
color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold
the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable
than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth
faster with less discomfort to patients.
Duration of Treatment
Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years,
depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face
and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different
rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment,
so the time to case completion may differ from the original
estimate.
The patient's diligent use of any prescribed rubber
bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving
the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early
treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.
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Jeremy McKinney, Orthodontist l
Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Fayette, Winfield l 1.866.393.3964
401 Towncenter Blvd, Suite A l Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 l
205.345.5524 l
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Why
Braces?