Orthodontic Treatments for a Smile Makeover

Orthodontic treatments might be included as part of your smile makeover if you have teeth alignment issues. These treatments are used to correct jaw and teeth alignment problems, which can ruin the appearance of a person's smile.

Poorly aligned teeth also leave you at an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease since they are harder to properly clean. A bad bite can lead to physical symptoms like neck pain and headaches, and it can morph into a temporomandibular joint disorder. Getting orthodontic issues fixed during a smile makeover improves the patient's appearance and safeguards their overall health.

Determining if you need orthodontics as part of your smile makeover

A dentist might determine a patient needs orthodontic treatments during their smile makeover consultation. A visual inspection along with diagnostic tests, like x-rays and CT scans, help to determine if orthodontic treatment is needed. The dentist will also go over the patient's medical and dental history.

Common dental issues that might need orthodontic treatment include:

• Overbite: Also known as 'buck teeth,' this occurs when the upper front teeth stick out over the lower set of teeth.
• Underbite: This condition creates a 'bulldog' look. It occurs when the lower set of teeth stick out further than the upper set.
• Crossbite: This is when the upper set of teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower set like they are supposed to.
• Open bite: This is when there are spaces between biting surfaces when the jaw is closed.
• Spacing: Gaps can develop between teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth not filling up the mouth as they emerge.
• Crowding: This is when there are too many teeth on a person's jaw.

Treatment options

There are a variety of oral appliances that can be used to retrain muscles in the mouth, promote proper growth of the jaw and to move teeth. Most of the appliances used for orthodontic treatments work by applying gentle pressure to the patient's jaw. The severity of the patient's problems often determines which appliance the dentist decides to go with. Popular appliances used to straighten teeth during smile makeovers include:

• Braces: These are the traditional way to improve the alignment of a person's teeth. It consists of brackets that are placed on teeth and wires used to apply pressure on teeth.
• Space maintainers: These appliances are used to keep space for permanent teeth when milk teeth are lost prematurely.
• Clear aligners: Clear aligners provide a more discreet way to straighten teeth. These are removable devices that are worn for about 20 hours each day. It provides a more discreet solution than traditional metal braces.
• Jaw repositioning devices: Also known as splints, these appliances are used to train the jaw so that it closes in a more favorable alignment. Jaw repositioning devices are often used to treat temporomandibular joint disorders.

Get your teeth straightened

Call or visit our Philadelphia clinic to learn more about how orthodontic treatments can be used to improve the appearance of your smile.

Request an appointment here: https://frankforddentalcare.com or call Frankford Dental Care at (215) 302-1746 for an appointment in our Philadelphia office.

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