At Great Lakes Dental Office Plymouth is a top-rated local dental practice for cosmetic, preventative, and restorative dentistry. We have Orthodontic Specialists, and we provide specialized orthodontic care for children, teens and adults. We aim to provide our patients with increased confidence and an improved self-image by creating beautiful smiles and functional bites through skilled knowledge in orthodontics in a state-of-the-art environment. Your aesthetics play an essential role in your daily life, and your smile is one of the most valuable elements of your look. Although it is vital, many people mind hiding their smiles due to misaligned teeth and malocclusion. However, a crooked smile can be easily fixed with the correct use of orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners.
Nowadays, contemporary dentistry has made it possible to align your teeth properly and help you achieve the perfect smile you have been looking for. As a result, fixing your smile not only boosts your self-esteem and solves any aesthetic issue you could have but also improves your oral health. We will explain in this article the different types of orthodontic treatments and how they can help you.
What are the different orthodontic alternatives?
Orthodontic treatments have constantly been evolving, becoming more effective and less visible throughout the years. Currently, you can choose between different options according to your needs and liking, ranging from traditional braces to clear aligners such as Invisalign. Furthermore, even traditional braces have evolved to become more discreet with alternatives such as lingual braces or ceramic braces. Consequently, these advances have turned orthodontic treatment into a great way to restore balance and harmony to your smile without sacrificing your looks throughout the process.
Traditional braces
They are the most common alternative to fix misaligned teeth. Due to their efficiency, traditional braces can be used to solve any type of malocclusion as they can move the teeth in every direction and position. The braces are tiny metal-made appliances bonded to each tooth of the dental arches using composite. Afterward, the braces are connected using a metal wire. Tension is periodically applied to the wire and braces to make the teeth steadily move into the desired position.
Although braces cause little discomfort every time your dentist makes adjustments, it disappears after a couple of days. Moreover, attending the checkups appointments on the previously established dates will prevent any delays in achieving the results.
Ceramic braces
Although traditional braces are highly effective and efficient, they are made out of metal, which is a top downside for most people. Usually, it means having an aesthetically unpleasant appliance bonded to the teeth for months or even years. Therefore, ceramic braces were developed to improve the aesthetic aspect of traditional braces. Ceramic braces work the same way as their metal counterpart. However, they are made of a ceramic material that mimics the natural color of the teeth, becoming a more discrete treatment option.
Lingual braces
These braces are placed on the back part of the teeth instead of the front. As they are virtually hidden on the inside, they are the more discrete option among the different types of braces. The only difference between lingual braces and traditional metal braces is the location where they are placed. Aside from that, they work the same way and are capable of performing the same type of dental movements. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this type of treatment, and only your dentist can determine whether it is a viable option for you or not. Furthermore, it won’t cause any discomfort on your lips, but it can hurt your tongue and increase the risk of tartar build-ups.
Clear aligners
The contemporary approach to orthodontic treatment with modern technology. Also referred to as invisible orthodontics, clear aligners have become the preferred treatment among thousands of patients due to their optical properties and other benefits. There are many brands of clear aligners in the market. However, they were first created by the Invisalign company, and to this day, they are still the most popular option.
Clear aligners work on the simple principle of using a series of misfit transparent splints to apply pressure to the teeth and push them into the desired position. These aligners can be freely removed by the patients at any given time to eat or brush their teeth and then put back on to continue the treatment. Furthermore, they are nearly impossible to notice as they are entirely transparent.
Who should wear braces or aligners?
Almost everybody suffers from malocclusion at different levels of severity. Moreover, having a perfectly balanced smile with aligned teeth is vital not only for aesthetics but also for overall oral health. Misaligned teeth can lead to oral issues, such as gums disease, cavities, TMD, and even wear out your enamel. Therefore, it is essential to visit an orthodontist for an evaluation and find out if you have any of the following conditions:
- Teeth crowding
- Diastema (open spaces between your teeth)
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Excessive overbite
- Excessive underbite
Dental malocclusions are easier to treat and take less time to fix when diagnosed early. Therefore, it is recommended to make an appointment with the orthodontist during early childhood, when the jaw and maxillary bones are still growing. This way, noninvasive alternatives such as interceptive orthodontics are viable. Furthermore, it is also possible to predict future malocclusion problems and take prompt measures to prevent them from occurring or worsening.
Lastly, contrary to popular belief, orthodontic treatment is not only for children and teenagers. Everyone with misaligned teeth is a candidate for braces or aligners regardless of their age, as teeth are always capable of shifting and moving.
Orthodontic treatments have undergone many changes to become an alternative capable of delivering perfect results while also being discrete. Whether you have only a slightly misaligned tooth that you would like to fix to improve your aesthetics or a more complex malocclusion, such as severe teeth crowding or an open bite, there is always an orthodontic solution for your case fitting your needs perfectly. Traditional and ceramic braces will help you achieve fast results and solve complex cases, while clear aligners will give you the comfort you deserve and a modern alternative. No matter what your problem might be, orthodontic treatment will fix your smile and help you improve your looks and self-esteem.
Let’s Make a Plan to Help Them Grow
There are many advantages to getting an early start to understanding the kind of path your child will need to take for a healthy bite and perfect smile. Dr. Suede recommends a child has their first orthodontic exam when they are about seven years old due to crucial dental and facial development at this age. By scheduling this appointment, we can assess your child’s unique smile and bite before bigger problems arise. At Great Lakes Smile, we encourage planning ahead and emphasize the importance of monitoring your child’s development.
Let’s get started. Request An Appointment with An Orthodontic in Plymouth
Dr. Rahaf Suede, DDS at Great Lakes Smiles Dental is trusted by many patients in Plymouth and surrounding areas for comprehensive dental care. She is recognized for her high quality dental treatment and patient satisfaction. Contact her now for an appointment Call (734) 459-9360
