Orthodontics

Orthodontics

What a difference straight teeth can make to your smile and appearance! A beautiful smile can boost self-confidence and positively impact social and professional opportunities. Orthodontics treatment is the original smile makeover tool — and you will be pleased to learn that you’re never too old to utilize its benefits. In addition, properly aligned teeth help you bite, chew, and speak more clearly and effectively. Also, they are easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of gum disease and tooth decay.

The wonderful thing about orthodontics is that it harnesses the body’s natural ability to repair its tissue. With light and constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape the bone and move teeth into better positions. A few examples of these appliances are conventional metal braces, clear or tooth-colored braces, and clear aligners for adults and teens.

Bite Problems and How to Fix Them

Orthodontic treatment can resolve many bite problems, which often become evident by around age 7. These issues include an underbite, overbite, or crossbite, where the upper and lower teeth won’t close in the correct position. An Open bite, where a space remains between the top and bottom teeth when the patient closes their jaw, and crowding or excessive spacing, where the teeth are spaced too close together or far apart.

Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein will need to move teeth to correct most bite problems, which isn’t as complicated as you think! This is because your teeth aren’t tightly fixed in their supporting bone. Instead, teeth are held in place by a hammock-like structure called the periodontal ligament. The periodontal ligament is very responsive to forces placed on the teeth. Orthodontic appliances move or shift teeth by carefully applying light and constant pressure. This constant force can be applied with metal wires that run through little brackets attached to the teeth (braces) or with the semi-rigid plastic of clear aligners.

Orthodontics is for Children ~ and Adults

Having orthodontic treatment in childhood is ideal for taking advantage of a youngster’s natural growth processes to move the teeth into the correct alignment. Like the rest of the human body, the teeth and jaw rapidly change. So, at this time, it’s possible to create more room for teeth in an overcrowded mouth by utilizing a “palatal expander” to widen the upper jaw quickly. This phase of growth modification can shorten the overall treatment time and to ensure the best result if the patient needs additional orthodontic appliances.

But remember, an orthodontist can move healthy teeth at any age, so it will never be too late for orthodontic treatments. About one in five or 20% of today’s orthodontic patients are adults. Several new technological developments, including tooth-colored ceramic braces, clear aligners, and invisible lingual braces, have made orthodontic appliances less noticeable and enhanced the dental treatment experience for everyone. Before treatment, adults are carefully examined for any signs of periodontal (gum) disease, which must be under control before treatment begins.

What Are Some Different Types Of Orthodontic Appliances?

When you imagine a person wearing braces, you probably picture little metal brackets bonded to the front of the person’s teeth, with a thin wire running through the brackets. This popular style is time-tested but is no longer the only treatment option. Clear braces use brackets made of plastic or ceramic, which are hardly visible except for the slim arch wire. Lingual braces are just like conventional metal braces, except the orthodontist bonds them to the back of your teeth (the tongue side), so they are not visible.

Removable clear aligners are a popular alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances. They consist of a series of transparent plastic “trays” that fit over your teeth perfectly. Each tray moves or shifts your teeth a little bit until they are in the correct position or bite. Whether fixed or removable, each type of dental appliance may have clear advantages or disadvantages in particular situations. After a complete examination at our Kenosha dental practice, Denthetics, LLC, Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein will discuss your best treatment options.

Retention & Post Orthodontic Care

Once you complete your orthodontic treatment, it’s essential to wear a retainer as directed by your orthodontist. That’s because teeth naturally tend to drift or shift back to their original locations, and that is the last thing you want after you have gone through the time and trouble of straightening them! Wearing a retainer will hold your teeth in their new position long enough for brand-new bone and ligament to re-form around them. It helps keep your gorgeous new smile looking good for a lifetime!

Schedule An Orthodontics Appointment

Call our Kenosha dental team at (262) 484-4102 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein. Our family dentist, Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein, treats many patients with airway orthodontics from Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Somers, Sturtevant, Mt. Pleasant, and many surrounding areas.