Malocclusion is one of the most common dental issues people face. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the misalignment of teeth. Millions of Americans seek orthodontic attention every year, and it goes to prove how essential it is in shaping your smile.
Aligning the misaligned teeth can be very beneficial from the aesthetic, hygienic, and functional point of view. Here are some of their benefits:
Crossbite: A condition where all the teeth of either jaw do not align properly, and one or more teeth fall out of alignment.
Open bite: The condition where the molars meet, but the frontal teeth don’t when the jaws are clenched.
Crowding:The teeth aligned too close to each other might result in overlapping of one tooth over another.
Spacing: The adjacent teeth erupt with an excessive gap between them, which could be the result of a wide dental arch.
Overbite: The condition where the frontal teeth from the upper jaw protrude over the frontal teeth from the lower jaw.
Underbite: The teeth from the lower jaw protrude over the upper jaw teeth.
Malocclusion can be treated using orthodontic dental appliances such as braces or clear aligners. Patients who prefer their treatment to be completed in a relatively short span of time would usually choose braces. Those who don’t wish to reveal their orthodontic treatment prefer clear aligners, such as Invisalign or ClearCorrect, as they are transparent and discreet.
Braces
Braces are composed of several brackets, which are usually made from metal, ceramic or plastic, and wires that are made from nylon or metal. The brackets are glued on to the teeth using dental adhesives, and the wires run through them. Tightening or loosening the wires alters the pressure applied on the teeth, which is how they are gently moved to their desired positions.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a removable, clear aligner that is made from dental-grade plastic. The aligners are biocompatible and offer a perfect fit, as they are custom-fabricated according to each patient’s unique needs. The dentist takes highly precise 3D images of your oral set up and sends them to a laboratory for fabricating the aligners. Once they are available, the patient would have to wear them all day and remove them only while brushing teeth or eating food. The treatment period usually varies depending on the severity of the condition.
Please schedule an online appointment or call us at (773) 374-9778 for Chicago and (708) 914-4381 for Homewood to have a consultation with Dr. Moore, and we will be happy to help.