Things to Know about Orthodontic Treatments

by Kevin Smith Author

Straight teeth improve your smile as well as your confidence, but orthodontic treatments do more than simply straighten crooked teeth or eliminate gaps. There are other important components of orthodontic treatments that can benefit your health as well as improve your smile. Here are some additional things you may not have known about dental braces in San Antonio, TX.

Bite Correction

An important function of braces is bite correction. An overbite refers to when the top teeth go too far beyond the lower teeth. An underbite is the opposite of an overbite where the bottom of the jaw goes past the top. An open bite is when the teeth are unable to touch when the mouth is closed. A crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaws don't fit together correctly. These bite problems are all concerning because they cause uneven and quickened wearing the teeth, speech impairment, TMJ, and other oral health complications including gum disease. Fortunately, braces can correct these problems by gradually changing the position of the jaw.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth occur when the jaw is too narrow. This condition is best treated starting at an early age to help expand the jaw and dental arches so that there's room for the permanent teeth to grow in. Addressing crowded teeth due to a narrow jaw reduces the likelihood that permanent teeth will need to be extracted later in life to help straighten the teeth.

Spaced Teeth

Braces also help eliminate gaps that are caused by either too much space, which allows the teeth to move apart, or from missing teeth. Braces bring the teeth in the right position so that there are no longer gaps or room to move around.

Straightening Options

Although metal dental braces in San Antonio, TX, with wire and brackets, are considered the traditional method of straightening teeth, there are other options as well. Traditional braces are also available in clear plastic or tooth-colored ceramic brackets to make them less noticeable. Lingual braces are placed on the back of the teeth, but aren't quite as comfortable as other options and can affect speech. They're more difficult to adjust to than traditional braces. Invisible aligners like Invisalign are another option for some people. These plastic aligners are created specifically for your treatment plan. The trays are removable but worn 22 hours a day. New aligners are put in every 2 weeks to gradually change the alignment of the teeth.