THE HUMAN CAPACITY for finding different solutions to problems is nearly endless. Enough trial and error will usually be able to find an effective fix. However, we urge everyone to save the trial and error for non-medical projects. Something as complicated as moving teeth into their proper alignment should only be attempted by fully trained experts.
There’s No Substitution for Expertise Orthodontists take many factors into account when devising a patient’s treatment plan, such as growth patterns in bones, the position of wisdom teeth, and the patient’s overall health. Someone with a few hours of internet “research” cannot compare.
Household Items Cannot Compare to Brackets and Wires DIY braces might seem like a clever way around the expense of braces, but they are a serious gamble. Rubber bands, paper clips, earring backs, and fishing line are no substitute for brackets and wires placed using years and years of training and experience. At best, they just won’t work very well. At worst, they could cause major damage, even tooth loss.
An Infamous Cautionary Tale One infamous example is David Campbell, who used rubber bands to try to close the gap between his front teeth. The rubber bands seemed to disappear overnight, so he added more. In reality, they were slipping underneath his gums, where they strangled the roots of his teeth. It cost him more to fix the damage and save his front teeth than it would have cost to simply get braces!
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
THE DEFAULT IMAGE that pops into our heads when we think of braces is usually of a teenage orthodontic patient, but more and more adults are getting their teeth straightened. It's generally more ideal to get braces as a teen, but no one is too old to get a straighter smile.
Teeth Shift Over Time Even people who had braces as teens might end up needing them again, because our teeth shift constantly over the course of our lives. Enamel loss, tooth grinding, tooth loss, and something as simple as persistently mouth-breathing, leaning one's head on one's hand, or stomach-sleeping can cause shifting.
Habits Affect the Position of Teeth Good dental hygiene habits, side-sleeping and back-sleeping, and nose-breathing are all better for dental alignment, but they can't undo shifting that already happened, and that's where orthodontic treatment comes in. Teeth of any age will respond to orthodontic appliances, and adult patients have one advantage over their teen counterparts: they are more mature and better able to follow the orthodontist's extructions to the letter. That means better and timelier results!
No Need to Be a "Brace-Face" Many people who could benefit from braces avoid them because they don't want to be a fully grown adult who is a "brace-face." Luckily, clear aligners can give them the same results without a mouth full of metal. This transformation can be a secret one.
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
HAVING A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT smile isn't just better-looking, it's healthier! Let's take a look at some of the other straight teeth benefits.
1. Straight teeth lead to better oral health. This is because they're easier to keep clean by daily brushing and flossing than teeth that are very crowded.
2. Straight teeth are less prone to grinding. Teeth that aren't aligned properly can grind against each other in ways they aren't meant to, leading to damage and erosion. It can even contribute to jaw problems.
3. In order to speak clearly, it helps to have our teeth positioned correctly. Straight teeth make lisping and other pronunciation problems less likely.
4. Possibly the most surprising benefit to straight teeth is better digestion! It can be hard to chew effectively with a bad bite or crowding issues, and that can contribute to digestive problems like acid reflux and stomach discomfort. With straight teeth, it'll be much easier to chew thoroughly, and that improvement to digestion will in turn contribute to overall health and well-being.
5. Straight teeth also contribute to improved confidence! It's easier to smile freely when not worrying about the way that smile looks.
Disclaimer: the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
THE INITIAL CONSULTATION is when the orthodontist assesses the position of the patient’s teeth and begins planning the treatment to move them into proper alignment. The orthodontist also addresses a lot of the typical patient questions, but we can take a peek at those now. How long will the treatment take? That depends on the specific patient. Someone with some minor dental crowding will be done much more quickly than someone with a severe malocclusion and an impacted tooth, for example. How do I brush and floss around braces? Carefully! There are a lot of extra nooks and crannies where food particles and plaque can hide. Tools like a water flosser and floss threaders make it easier. What’s on the banned foods list? Lots of sticky and crunchy foods are on the banned list for braces-wearers because it’s very easy to break a bracket loose while eating them, and that can slow treatment down. What happens if something goes wrong with my braces? If a bracket breaks or an archwire snaps, orthodontic wax can help until the patient is able to come in for a repair appointment. Which treatment option is best for me? Traditional braces might be the best (or only) option for some patients while clear aligners or something else could work for others. The orthodontist will determine the most effective option. How can I finish my treatment on schedule? The most important thing any patient can do to reach Braces-Off Day on time is to follow all of the orthodontist’s instructions exactly.
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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