Some people feel embarrassed by their crooked teeth to the extent that they sometimes try too hard not to smile. Some smile but use their hands to cover their mouth.
Orthodontists have advanced training to make your teeth move and realign, so that crooked teeth become straight. People who have always felt embarrassed can now flaunt their healthy and straight smiles with the help of orthodontic treatment. You can search the internet for orthodontists near you if you need the services. Charm Dental Spring is the place to be if you need the services of an orthodontist in Spring, TX.
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Who Is An Orthodontist?
Orthodontists help you improve your bite and straighten your teeth. They do this by correcting how your jaws line up and how your teeth fit together. Orthodontists use trays, headgear, braces, and other appliances to straighten teeth. It appears as though orthodontics is mainly concerned with the aesthetics of the teeth. However, the practice goes beyond beauty. Did you know that when your teeth are crowded or crooked, including underbites and overbites, it can cause tooth loss, gum diseases, and even tooth decay? Moreover, a bad bite can make chewing and talking problematic. The services of an orthodontist in Spring, TX include;
● Monitoring facial growth.
● Treating and diagnosing misalignment of both jaws and teeth.
● Creating a treatment plan that provides for retainers and braces.
● Teeth straightening surgery.
● Installing palatal expanders, orthodontic headgear, props, and other dental appliances.
Differences Between An Orthodontist and A Dentist
A lot of people confuse an orthodontist with a dentist. While they are both specialists in oral healthcare, orthodontists have additional education to understand treating and diagnosing misalignment of both jaws and teeth.
What Do Dentists Do?
Dentists are also doctors of oral health. Dentists that are certified can diagnose and treat gums, teeth, mouth, and other structures of oral health importance. Even though dental hygienists take care of the cleaning of your teeth, dentists can also help you with that. The following are the functions of a dentist;
● Extract teeth.
● Fill cavities
● Interpret and conduct dental x-ray
● Repair cracked teeth
● Oral surgery.
● Prescribing drugs and treatments for oral health conditions.
● Treating various gum diseases like gingivitis.
● Oversee the development of children’s teeth.
● Install veneer and crowns.
● Fill and bond teeth.
Most people don’t go straight to the orthodontist. That is okay. The most important thing is to go for regular check-ups at your dentist’s. If they notice anything unusual, they will refer you to specialists if necessary. Dentists often refer kids with teeth misalignment to an orthodontist in Spring.
Here are some appliances used by an orthodontist and their functions.
- Braces: These consist of bands, brackets, and wires. Bands serve as anchors after being fixed firmly around the teeth, while the brackets are connected to the front of the teeth. On the other hand, wires have an arch-like shape lass, and they pass through the brackets to the bands. Tightening the wires applies pressure to the teeth, which causes the teeth to move into the desired position.
- Palatal Expander: This appliance widens the arch of the upper jaw- the area of the roof of your mouth.
- Headgear: This is strapped around your head and neck while attached to a metal wire or a face bow. The main aim of the headgear is to slow down the growth of the upper jaw. It also makes sure that the back teeth remain in position while the ones at the front are pushed back.
- Aligners: These are alternatives to braces, but they are not helpful for children as they only work for adults. You can remove them when you want to eat, brush or close, and they are not visible.