Orthodontic treatment is effective in the case of dental and jaw abnormalities. This involves correcting irregular spacing of the teeth and misalignment of both children’s and adults’ bites. For personal treatment options, you should consult an orthodontist near you. However, we will discuss the most important information about orthodontic treatment below.
When do you need to consider orthodontic treatment?
The need for orthodontic treatment is determined by the orthodontist during the consultation that you will schedule at your dental office in South Tampa. Based on the position of your teeth, bite and jaw size, the dentist will decide whether you need one or more forms of orthodontic treatment.
This all depends upon your needs. Orthodontic treatment can be used as a basic treatment (when the problem can be solved only with the help of an orthodontic method) or as an auxiliary treatment (preparation of teeth for the dental arch, orthognathic surgery, before periodontal gingival correction).
Causes of an irregular bite:
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- 1. Maybe genetically inherited
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- 2. It can be caused by environmental factors – premature loss of milk teeth, irregular breathing, etc.
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- 3. Due to misalignment of upper and lower jaws
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- 4. Due to irregular teeth positions (crooked, twisted teeth)
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- 5. Due to lack of space in the dental arch (tooth decay)
- 6. Due to the non-standard shape and size of dental crowns
Why do you need to treat an irregular bite?
1. Irregular bites when chewing food can damage the tissue around the tooth that causes inflammation and tooth loss
2. When the bone is thinner, the teeth become mobile and gaps can form
3. If the teeth are in improper positions, plaque builds up quickly, causing inflammation of the tissues around the teeth, causing tooth decay
4. An irregular bite may cause damage to the mandibular joint
5. The patient’s expectations include a gratifying smile and an aesthetic look
When should orthodontic treatment be performed?
- It is important to note the irregular growth of the jaws and bites of children under the age of 9-13, as functional orthodontic appliances can be corrected at this age. The treatment lasts about 1.5 years.
- Patients over the age of 13 use orthodontic plates or brace systems for orthodontic treatment. The treatment period is 1 to 2 years.
- There are no age restrictions for orthodontic treatment, but orthodontic treatment may be more complicated and take longer for older patients.
Orthodontic treatment is applicable at any age – children, teens, and adults can all benefit from it.
Orthodontic treatment methods:
- Removable orthodontic appliances – are used to treat bite problems. Patients will wear removable aligners during the day and are responsible for oral hygiene and dental care.
- Non-removable orthodontic appliances – braces system of upper and lower dental arches, fixed bite treatment devices (orthodontic mini-implants, rapid expansion screw, coat of arms, forces). The treatment is applied to permanent teeth, i.e. starting at 8 years old. This treatment method can align not only the bite but the positions of the teeth.
- Pre-treatment for orthognathic surgery or prosthetic treatment – positions of the teeth and jaws are corrected through orthognathic surgery.
For more information about orthodontic treatment and to discuss your personal needs, you can call your dental office in South Tampa for a consultation. During this appointment with your dentist, they will perform an examination of your teeth and mouth, capture X-rays and establish a custom-treatment plan to address your orthodontic needs and goals.