What Else Can an Orthodontist Do Besides Braces?

Everyone loves a beautiful smile. Sometimes the extent one has to go through to achieve this result requires several years of sitting in the orthodontist chair each month. The obvious treatment that most people think of when considering seeing an orthodontist is metal braces. You should know, however, that orthodontists are able to correct more than just crooked teeth and use many methods to achieve the desired outcome.

Braces

Even though it is only one of several services the orthodontist provides, it still encompasses most of their business. Braces have many functions, including:

• Straightening teeth
• Correct Overbite
• Correct Underbite
• Relieve overcrowding
• Close gaps between teeth

Traditional braces are still the norm, using metal bands and elastics that come in colors that the patient is able to select to keep treatment a little more fun. Brackets can also be ceramic or even clear for people who want to minimize the look of braces.

Clear Tray Aligners

Aligners work like braces to align and straighten teeth. They also help with overbites, underbites, crossbites, overcrowding, or open bites. Invisalign is a popular brand of alignment trays which are clear and designed to fit expressly around your teeth and work to align or mold your teeth to achieve your best smile. Typically an impression is taken of your upper and lower teeth so that the aligner can work specifically to correct the alignment in your mouth. Aligners are made of a clear plastic material and are almost impossible to detect to others.

Space Maintainers

When you have gaps between your teeth it can mess up your jaw’s alignment. Spaces may happen when the baby teeth have fallen out but the permanent teeth have yet to come in. Spacers may also be used when you are missing permanent teeth and space needs to be maintained until a more permanent solution (implants, etc.) can be implemented. A metal band is installed to a tooth next to the space and a wire extends to the tooth on the other side of the gap working to stretch and maintain the gap while waiting on the adult tooth to emerge.

Expanders

An expander appliance is used when the orthodontist needs to widen the upper jaw to accommodate better placement of the teeth and correct the bite. It can be a plastic tray fitted on the roof of your mouth, using screws that the patient and the Doctor turn to slowly push out the joints and bones in the upper jaw.

Most orthodontists offer a full array of methods to custom design an orthodontic treatment plan to fit your needs and to achieve your perfect smile. There is a lot more to orthodontia than just metal braces. Choosing the correct orthodontic appliances that are not only effective but also work with the patient to make their experience comfortable is the goal of most Orthodontists, like a orthodontist in San Clemente, CA . Contact a doctor today for a consultation today.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at John Redmond Orthodontics for their insight into orthodontics.