Some people are born with dental deformities, while others develop dental deformities due to accidents or oral health conditions. In Illinois, many adults and children face these issues and require orthodontic dental solutions to fix their condition.
From aligning your bite to straightening your teeth, orthodontic procedures can help you reshape your teeth and smile. So, if you or someone you know is also facing these dental challenges, a highly qualified and experienced dentist in Streamwood, Illinois, can provide you with excellent solutions.
Who can benefit from orthodontics?
Orthodontics can help people of all ages with its multifaceted solutions and applications. However, it is highly effective for people with the following dental conditions.
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Malocclusion: People affected by malocclusion, also known as bad bites, face difficulties with chewing, speech, and facial symmetry due to misalignment of teeth in upper or lower dental arches.
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Overcrowding: Overcrowding is a condition when your mouth doesn’t have enough space for all your teeth to fit in naturally, so your teeth congregate and rotate along with the movement.
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Overbite and underbite: Overbite is when your upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw, and underbite is when your lower jaw overlaps your upper jaw. In other words, it’s a condition with misaligned jaws.
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Crooked teeth: If you have teeth that are not properly aligned in the mouth, then you have crooked teeth. The condition is the result of teeth that are twisted, growing in the wrong place, or overlapping.
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Gap in teeth: Diastema is a condition when you have gaps between your teeth. Although the condition usually doesn’t affect your oral health, it can ruin your smile and facial appearance.
Most common orthodontic procedures
Orthodontics includes various procedures to correct your teeth’ position and bite. However, the following are some most common orthodontic procedures.
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Braces: Braces can gradually move your teeth slowly into the correct position with the help of brackets and wires attached to your teeth. Dentists can use a metal brace or ceramic brace to improve your dental functions and enhance your smile.
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Aligners: Dental aligners gently apply constant pressure on your teeth and move them into the correct position. They are a popular alternative to dental braces as aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and custom-made.
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Retainers: Retainers are used to prevent your teeth from drifting into the earlier positions after removing the braces. Dentists also use them to eliminate the gaps between teeth.
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Palate expanders: Dentists use a palate expander to widen the upper jaw and create more space for your teeth to align correctly. Palate expander gives the best results in children as their bones are still growing.
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Surgical procedures: In some severe cases, like the removal of a buried tooth, dentists recommend surgery over any other orthodontic procedure. Surgeries are also very effective when the patient has an existing jaw problem.
Practical aftercare tips for orthodontic treatment
The efficacy of an orthodontic hugely depends upon the aftercare. Following aftercare tips can help you get the best and long-lasting results after an orthodontic treatment.
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Brush your teeth for at least two minutes after every meal to ensure that your mouth is free of plaque and other debris.
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You must choose the right type of toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash so that it doesn’t harm your brace. Also, use a floss that can fit between the teeth and brackets.
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Avoid acidic and sugary foods as the food particles may get stuck under the wires and lead to tooth decay.
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You also have to quit habits like smoking, drinking, chewing on hard objects, grinding, and biting your nails to ensure that your braces work fine and your teeth remain healthy.
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Whether fixed braces or removable aligners, ensure that you wear your dental devices as recommended by your orthodontist to get the best results and avoid damage.
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Schedule regular checkups with your orthodontist to ensure that your dental device is working fine.
Final takeaway
Although several people get orthodontic treatments, not all of them are aware that they also have to take the proper measures to ensure the safety of dental devices for effective results. Therefore, you must consult with a professional orthodontist who can walk you through the dos and don’ts of post-treatment care and provide timely follow-ups to ensure optimal results.
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