Figuring Out If You Need Orthodontics

Figuring Out If You Need Orthodontics from Tennison Orthodontics in Cleburne, TXOrthodontics help straighten improperly aligned teeth. Teeth alignment problems can ruin the appearance of your smile and leave your teeth more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Orthodontics uses devices like braces and clear aligners to improve the alignment of teeth by gradually pushing them to better positions over time. Common teeth alignment issues that dentists fix include:

  • Overjets
  • Overbites
  • Crossbites
  • Underbites
  • Crooked teeth

Understanding when you need orthodontics

Treating orthodontic issues with oral appliances can take up to 36 months. Patients around the ages of 9 to 14 tend to have the shortest treatment times because their jaws and facial structures are still developing.

The signs that a person has teeth alignment issues that need to be corrected with an orthodontic appliance include:

  • Noticeably crowded or crooked teeth
  • Difficulty brushing and flossing due to misaligned teeth
  • Teeth not coming together properly when the mouth is closed
  • Regularly biting on the tongue due to the poor positioning of teeth
  • The inability to pronounce certain words due to the tongue and teeth not being properly positioned in relation to each other
  • Clicking and popping sounds coming from the jaw when chewing
  • Sore jawline after chewing

Teeth alignment issues often start early in life, but children typically do not notice such things. It is up to parents to look for signs that their children have teeth alignment issues, such as:

  • Breathing with the mouth
  • Clicking or other sounds coming from the child’s jaw
  • Frequent damage to soft tissues in the mouth
  • Thumb sucking past the age of 2
  • Late or early loss of baby teeth
  • Teeth not coming together properly
  • Visibly misaligned teeth

Treatment options

Misaligned teeth often lead to other problems, like gum disease, when left untreated. Fortunately, there are a few options to choose from when it comes to treatment.

1. Braces

Braces were the standard for orthodontic treatments for over a century, and they are still extremely effective at improving teeth alignment issues. The main components of braces are metal brackets cemented to each of the patient’s teeth and wires that connect the brackets on each arch of the jaw.

Braces are fixed appliances, so they stay in for the duration of the patient’s treatment. They can be used to treat a wider range of alignment issues than any of the alternatives.

2. Clear aligners

These are transparent trays that fit tightly over teeth. They work just like braces, gradually pushing the patient’s teeth to better alignment over time. Clear aligners are removable devices, which makes them a more convenient option than braces. They allow the wearer to eat and clean their mouth the same way that they have always done.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics in Cleburne, TX

Straighten your smile

Orthodontic treatments can get you a better smile and protect your teeth from tooth decay, gum disease, and damage. Call or visit our Cleburne clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment or call Tennison Orthodontics at 817-522-7358 for an appointment in our Cleburne office.

Related Posts

3 Teeth Alignment Issues That Orthodontics Can Fix

Orthodontics can be used to treat a variety of teeth alignment issues, like a crossbite or crooked teeth. The alignment of a person’s teeth plays an important role when it comes to their oral and overall health. A person has a bad bite when some or all of their teeth do not come together as…

Pros And Cons Of Clear Aligners For Orthodontics

Orthodontics aims to improve the alignment of your teeth. Doing so improves the way that your smile looks and makes it easier to keep your teeth clean, protecting you against tooth decay and gum disease.Clear aligners provide a discreet way to straighten teeth. They allow patients to avoid having to deal with metal wires and…

Improving Your Smile With Orthodontics

Orthodontics can be used to transform your smile by improving the alignment of your teeth. Poor alignment can ruin the aesthetics of even the whitest smile and make teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay. Issues that orthodontics can be used to treat include:Crooked teethCrossbitesOverbitesOverjetsUnderbitesPeople who would like to improve the alignment of their teeth now…

Related Posts

Braces Specialist: Your Path To Straighter Teeth

Braces Specialist: Your Path To Straighter Teeth

Looking for a braces specialist? Read on to learn more. You might be hesitant to see a braces specialist if you already see a general dentist regularly. In some cases, patients have an individual situation that requires consulting a specialist. Generally, these professionals have more experience in orthodontics and a consultation with them might make…

Teeth Alignment Issues That Orthodontics Can Fix

3 Teeth Alignment Issues That Orthodontics Can Fix

Orthodontics can be used to treat a variety of teeth alignment issues, like a crossbite or crooked teeth. The alignment of a person’s teeth plays an important role when it comes to their oral and overall health. A person has a bad bite when some or all of their teeth do not come together as…