Misaligned teeth can make chewing and speaking difficult and create an environment where gum disease thrives. They also affect a person’s self-confidence and ability to maintain good oral health.
A qualified orthodontic specialist can recommend Braces Las Vegas to correct these issues. You have a range of choices, including clear braces and lingual braces that are fitted behind your teeth.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment corrects teeth and jaw misalignments that aren’t severe enough to require surgery. It’s an excellent option for both kids and adults. Getting orthodontic braces from a licensed orthodontist has four benefits over over-the-counter options:
Braces apply constant pressure to your teeth over time, slowly shifting them into a better alignment. They can also change the shape of your jaw and bones, giving you a healthier smile.
Your orthodontist will place brackets on the front and back of your teeth, then attach a thin metal wire between them. They’ll use small rubber bands (or elastics) to secure the wire, which they may tighten or bend at regular intervals throughout your treatment. The pressure from these bands causes discomfort, which lasts from a few hours to a few days.
Fixed braces, such as stainless steel or clear ceramic, work in the same way as clear aligners but are less visible. They’re more expensive than invisible appliances, but they provide the most accurate and consistent results. You’ll still need to visit the orthodontist for adjustments.
If your teeth are crowded, you may need to get extra space to align them. Crowded teeth can also lead to uneven tooth growth and bite issues, such as an overbite or underbite. Braces can also close gaps between your teeth.
For more complicated problems, your orthodontist might recommend other orthodontic devices, such as a power chain, rubber elastics, or headgear. The latter is a horseshoe-shaped device that moves your upper molars forward to make room for your crowded teeth, fix an underbite, or improve the shape of your jawbone.
Invisalign and other clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional braces. However, they don’t offer the same level of correction as fixed braces. Also, you won’t be able to adjust them yourself, which can increase your chances of developing white spots and other problems.
Braces For Adults
Although the popular image of orthodontic treatment is that of a child receiving braces, about 1 in 3 current patients are over 18 years old. Increasingly, adults are realizing the benefits of having straight teeth and opting to undergo treatment for a more confident smile.
Misaligned teeth can lead to a range of dental issues that can cause pain and discomfort, including tooth decay, gum disease, uneven pressure across the bite, and TMJ disorders. Addressing these problems early can save you money in the long run and prevent more costly treatments down the road.
Many adults prefer less conspicuous treatment options than traditional metal braces, so orthodontists now offer several discreet alternatives. These include clear braces, which use the same corrective mechanism as standard metal braces but with more discreet brackets and wires that blend in with your teeth. There are also ceramic braces, which work the same way as traditional metal braces but are darker and harder to spot.
Those who choose to wear conventional braces can often benefit from using power chains, which provide additional strength and help speed up treatment. Power chains are typically used in conjunction with lingual braces, which place the brackets on the back side of your teeth rather than the front. In addition to speeding up your treatment, lingual braces are also very comfortable due to their location.
Another alternative to braces is palatal expanders, which widen the upper jaw by applying gentle, consistent pressure to your upper molars. Typically, this is done in stages and may take up to two years. This is a very effective method for correcting crossbites, crowded or overlapping teeth, and other bite irregularities.
It is important to note that adults will likely require a longer treatment period than children. This is because adult bones do not have the same flexibility as a child’s and may not respond to pressure as quickly or effortlessly. During this time, it is also important to avoid certain foods that may irritate or damage your braces. Your orthodontist will provide you with a list of restricted foods that may include hard, sticky, and crunchy items.
Braces For Teens
The teenage years are a great time to correct problems with teeth and bite alignment. Orthodontic treatment is most efficient and socially acceptable at this age since the jaw and teeth are still growing. By addressing malocclusions at this stage, teens can avoid more costly and time-consuming treatments in the future.
Teens can choose from a variety of orthodontic treatment options, including traditional metal braces, ceramic or clear brackets, and Invisalign aligner trays. The goal is to provide teens with an option that will suit their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
Aside from boosting self-esteem with a more attractive smile, properly aligned teeth can help improve chewing, speaking, breathing, and sleeping. The benefits of these health improvements may include fewer dental visits and less frequent complications such as jaw pain, headaches, and tooth decay.
Misaligned teeth can also lead to a variety of speech difficulties, such as lisping. Orthodontic treatment can correct these issues, improving a teenager’s ability to communicate clearly and build healthy relationships.
In addition to improved oral health, orthodontics for teens can reduce the risk of dental trauma. Teeth that protrude or are misaligned can become more susceptible to injury, especially in active teens who play sports or musical instruments. Orthodontic correction can ensure that the teeth are in a natural position, making it easier to avoid damage during these activities.
While some teens may be hesitant about getting braces because of concerns about appearance, there are many ways to make the process fun and more appealing. For instance, teens can customize their braces by choosing the color of rubber bands that go on each bracket. Changing these bands regularly gives them something new and exciting to look forward to each week.
While adults can receive braces later in life, the best time to get them is before adolescence. By undergoing treatment earlier, your teen can enjoy a more confident and healthier smile throughout their lifetime. This will benefit them in daily selfies, in photos for school or work, and even on their wedding day. The adage of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is especially true in orthodontics!
Braces For Children
Kids with misaligned teeth and jaws often experience difficulty when speaking. For example, if your child has a gap or protruding tooth that causes them to whistle while talking or lisp, the cause is structural and can be corrected with pediatric braces. Other pronunciation issues may also have their roots in the alignment of the jaw and mouth. Often, these issues can be resolved through orthodontic treatment with braces, as well as working with a speech therapist.
In addition to correcting the alignment of the teeth, braces can also improve bite problems, such as an overbite or underbite. These problems can interfere with chewing, increase the risk of cavities and gum disease, and cause strain on the jaws when eating or speaking. In addition, many children who have these problems struggle with self-esteem due to their appearance. By addressing the issue with early intervention and orthodontic care, children can gain a smile that boosts their confidence and gives them the tools to take charge of their oral health for the rest of their lives.
Whether you choose traditional or lingual braces, your orthodontist will add small rubber bands, called spaces or separators to create space for the orthodontic bands that go around each tooth. These bands help guide the teeth into their proper position and help ensure that there are no gaps or spaces where bacteria can hide. These bands may be stainless steel, clear, or tooth-colored. You may also require orthodontic headgear, which is a wire tool that moves the upper molars farther back in the mouth to make more room for crowded or misaligned teeth and fix bite problems.
A great alternative to conventional braces is a removable appliance called a palatal expander, which works by applying gentle pressure to the upper molars to gradually widen your child’s palate over time. This device is especially useful for young patients because the bone structure of their jaws is still developing. Our orthodontist will recommend this device when appropriate for your child’s specific needs.