A range of circumstances may indicate that orthodontic treatment is necessary. The most obvious sign is overcrowding, but other conditions include hypodontia, discrepancies in tooth size, and rehabilitation from previous guidance. Orthodontics can be less expensive than the additional dental care needed to treat more serious issues that may arise in the future. An orthodontist is a specialist in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities.
They can determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary and when the best time to treat the patient is. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected during adolescence, when all of the permanent teeth have come out. This means that this group of people should receive orthodontic care at an early age if the percentage of incisors that are traumatically affected is to be reduced. Even children who don't have visible or crooked teeth can benefit from seeing an orthodontist.
Some skeletal orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or complete. An orthodontist must first attend college and then complete a four-year graduate program in dentistry accredited by the American Dental Association. Patients with braces and other orthodontic appliances require more effort to keep their teeth and gums clean. If early treatment is indicated, an orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth.
During the initial appointment, which lasts approximately one hour, the goal is to determine if orthodontic treatment is recommended and to provide an individualized plan in a pleasant, caring environment. At the end of your orthodontic treatment, retainers will be manufactured to maintain your new smile. Early orthodontic treatment can initiate the correction of major problems, prevent more serious problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. It also helps the orthodontist decide on the optimal time to start treatment and achieve the best possible outcome for your child.
