Orthodontics: We Answer Some FAQs

AdminAugust 31, 2023August 31, 2023

A beautiful smile can open many doors. According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, people with beautiful smiles and perfectly aligned teeth are considered more attractive, friendly, and approachable than those with flawed or blemished smiles. So, it is important to have perfectly aligned and pearly white teeth if one wants to appear beautiful and attractive. But how to enjoy a beautiful smile if one has crooked or misaligned teeth? The answer is orthodontic treatment.

If your misaligned teeth prevent you from smiling or speaking confidently in public, you are an ideal candidate for orthodontic treatment. But what is orthodontics, and how can you benefit from it? Continue reading this blog to get your questions answered and learn everything you need to know about this specialisation of dentistry.

What Is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the realignment of crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. According to the British Orthodontic Society, the purpose of orthodontic treatment is not just to straighten one’s teeth and improve one’s smile but also to improve one’s oral health and physical well-being.

What Are The Benefits Of Orthodontics?

If you are considering orthodontic treatment and you’re not sure whether it will be beneficial for you, the following benefits of orthodontics will help convince you in its favour:

Improved Smile – After wearing your braces or clear aligners, you will observe that your teeth have started aligning themselves and your facial aesthetics are improving. Once your treatment is complete, your teeth will be optimally aligned with a drastic improvement in your smile and facial aesthetics.
Improved Self-confidence – With an improved smile, your self-confidence will be boosted, and you will feel confident speaking or smiling in front of others.
Improved Oral Health – crooked and misaligned teeth make it difficult to clean the teeth optimally. As a result, plaque and tartar deposits can form around them, causing complications such as gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. Orthodontic treatment straightens the teeth and prevents these complications.
Improved Physical Health – Properly aligned teeth allow one to chew food optimally. As a result, the body can digest the food better, releasing high energy, which helps maintain one’s physical health and boost immunity.

What Are The Main Types Of Orthodontics?

Orthodontists have several options available to straighten crooked and misaligned teeth. The most common among them is fixed braces. According to a recent survey, over 98% of the responding British Dentists use fixed braces for straightening crooked teeth. However, other options, such as lingual and tooth-coloured ceramic braces, are also available for people who don’t like these braces due to their unaesthetic metallic appearance. Finally, many orthodontics also offer treatment with removable appliances called clear aligners. Your orthodontist will suggest the most suitable option for your treatment after a detailed clinical examination.

Is It Possible To Align Teeth Without Removing Any Teeth?

The goal of all orthodontists is to straighten the teeth without the need to extract a few of them. However, the need for extracting teeth for orthodontic purposes depends on the extent of tooth misalignment. For example, in mild cases of misalignment, there is enough space in the jaws to correct the issue with braces without needing extractions. However, when the space in the jaws is insufficient to accommodate all the teeth in optimal alignment and occlusion, your orthodontist will extract one or two teeth from both sides to create space. Usually, premolars or wisdom teeth are extracted for this purpose.

Can Braces Fix Underbites?

According to Healthline, an underbite is a condition in which the upper teeth extend away from the upper ones, giving one a “bulldog-like appearance”. Scientifically, this is known as a Class III malocclusion. An underbite can cause various long-term, oral health-related complications, such as difficulty eating and speaking, and affected facial aesthetics.

Braces are one of the most effective options to correct an underbite. Dental braces are helpful when the underlying cause of an underbite is due to misalignment of the teeth. However, when the issue arises due to the misalignment of the jaws, it needs to be corrected in combination with jaw surgery and braces treatment.

Are You More Susceptible To Cavities After Having Braces?

Traditional metal braces create difficulties in cleaning the teeth optimally. As a result, there is a higher risk of plaque and tartar adherence, gum disease, and tooth decay among braces wearers if strict oral hygiene is not maintained. That is why dentists ask their patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to maintain optimal oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing to prevent the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Can I Still Get Braces If I Have A Lot of Fillings?

Yes, as long as your teeth are healthy – even if they have fillings – you can undergo orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists only begin your treatment once all your teeth are healthy and you don’t have any underlying condition such as gum disease.

A healthy and charming smile with orthodontics requires visiting an experienced and qualified dentist. If you live in Watford and are looking for the best orthodontic practice in town, look no further! Senova Dental is a renowned orthodontic practice that offers high-quality orthodontic and general dentistry services to its esteemed customers in a relaxing and comfortable environment. So, what are you waiting for? Request a free video consultation with us today and begin your journey towards a beautiful and healthy smile.