Orthodontics
Patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smiles may want to pursue orthodontic treatment to correct any misalignment in the teeth or jaws. Not only will the result be a more beautiful smile, but their teeth will be in better condition and more functional, as well.
Orthodontic treatment can correct a variety of defects in the smile, and patients of various ages can benefit from these interventions. Our practice offers a comfortable, convenient treatment option called ClearCorrect so that getting a straighter smile doesn’t have to interfere with your lifestyle.
If you would like to improve your smile, schedule a consultation at our office to learn more about ClearCorrect and determine whether it might be the right choice for you.
Why Patients Need Orthodontic Treatment
For your smile to function optimally, your teeth and jaws need to be in the correct positions. If any part of your smile is misaligned, it may affect your ability to chew and speak properly, and in the case of malocclusions, TMJ disorders can develop and cause significant discomfort.
Additionally, misaligned teeth are more cavity-prone and are subjected to more wear and tear than a straight smile is. Of course, crooked teeth also can be unattractive, which is the main motivator for many patients seeking orthodontic treatment.
By applying specific pressure to the teeth to shift them to their ideal locations, orthodontic treatment achieves the goal of straightening the smile. This process takes place over the course of several months, but the investment of time is well worth it to get an attractive, functional smile.
Conditions That Can Be Addressed with Orthodontics
Many factors can cause your teeth or jaws to shift out of position. For example, the jaws may be too small to accommodate all of the teeth or one of the jaws may develop more rapidly than the other.
Orthodontic treatment can help patients overcome a variety of issues with the smile’s alignment, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps or uneven spacing between teeth
- Malocclusions (overbites, underbites, open bites)
Even highly complex cases can be addressed by orthodontic interventions, although the treatment timeline tends to be longer in such instances.
Orthodontic Treatment Benefits Patients of All Ages
Not only is orthodontic treatment effective for eliminating the conditions that contribute to misaligned smiles, but it is also accessible to patients in a large range of ages. You’re never too old to potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment if you want to pursue it!
However, it’s best to take action early whenever possible. We encourage parents to have their children evaluated when their first permanent teeth erupt – around age 6. This allows us to identify any problems that might benefit from early intervention.
Nonetheless, adults who never received orthodontic treatment or those who experienced a relapse after a previous course of treatment can benefit from these interventions, too.
Convenient and Comfortable Orthodontic Treatment Options
In the past, patients who wanted to straighten their smiles had to settle for clunky metal braces that looked unappealing and interfered with their ability to eat a normal diet and manage their oral hygiene routines. Fortunately, there are much better options available to today’s patients.
The ClearCorrect system uses a series of clear aligners to apply the needed pressure to the teeth. The patient wears the aligners for 22 hours each day but can remove them at mealtime and when brushing and flossing their teeth. You switch to a new aligner based on the schedule provided by your dentist.
With ClearCorrect, your smile isn’t obscured by unattractive appliances, and you can enjoy your results in real-time. ClearCorrect also eliminates the sharp bracket corners and potential for broken wires that can injure the soft oral tissues. Convenience, appearance, and comfort all improve with ClearCorrect.