All You Need To Know About Orthodontics

Your oral health plays a big role in your overall health. Misaligned teeth can lead to oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. If you have large spaces between the teeth or a bad bite, you might need to consult a Leander, TX orthodontist. As an orthodontist specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating teeth and jaw problems, they can easily correct current conditions and identify issues that may arise in the future. Not everyone is born with perfect teeth, but we have to make them look good. Here is all you need to know about orthodontics.

Why You Should See a Dentist

Misalignment is the main reason people see an orthodontist. This condition is hereditary and results from the size differences between the teeth or lower and upper jaw. Misalignment makes the teeth overcrowded and leads to irregular bite patterns. Misalignment can be treated with:

Braces: They are metal-ceramic bonds attached to the teeth. The teeth are forced into alignment with wires or springs. Patients with fewer misalignments use clear braces, known as aligners. Other patients might need to wear headgears to exert pressure on the teeth from outside the mouth.

Surgery: If you have severe overbite or underbite, you may need surgery to shorten or lengthen your jaw. Your orthodontist uses surgical screws and wires to support your jaw. This surgery is done when other non-invasive treatments don’t work and if you are done growing your teeth.

How to Take Care of Braces and Teeth

It would be best to keep having dental check-ups while having orthodontic treatment. Clean your teeth thoroughly every day. Braces are delicate, and you need to clean them carefully to avoid breakage. Also, eat less sugary foods and drinks or sticky or hard foods which can damage your braces.

Difference between a Dentist Orthodontist

Both dentists and orthodontists help patients improve their oral health, but their methods differ. Dentistry is a specialty dealing with gums, nerves, teeth, and jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty that focuses on correcting occlusions, bites and alignment of teeth. The main difference is that not all dentists are registered orthodontists, but all orthodontists are dentists.

Another difference is that an orthodontist needs additional education, just like how a doctor gets additional education to become a surgeon. Orthodontists specialize in improving bites, aligning teeth, and fixing braces and devices. If you have an underbite or overbite, your dentist refers you to an orthodontist.

They are also similar because they both focus on oral care. An orthodontist can work in a dentist’s office and do everything that a dentist can do, which makes them quite similar. Both of them are doctors who deal with gums and teeth.

In the past, people thought that orthodontic treatment was for children and teens, but today adults seek orthodontic treatment to correct oral problems that occur as you age. Orthodontists can help anyone achieve a beautiful and healthy smile regardless of their age. To learn more about orthodontic treatment, visit Pendleton Orthodontics or book an appointment online today.