How can I find a local orthodontist? There are so many dental specialists out there that it can be hard to find someone who can use braces to fix malocclusion, which is when teeth aren’t in the right place. Do you go to your dentist? You see your orthodontist, right?
An orthodontist is a doctor who specializes in fixing crooked teeth and over jet and overbite. In this article, we’ll answer any questions you may have about getting braces, such as:
- What does an orthodontist do?
- Where can I find a local orthodontist?
- Do I need braces at all?
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
Orthodontists are dental specialists who help find, treat, and stop problems with the teeth and face. Most of what an orthodontist does is work on the gums, teeth, and jaw. Some orthodontists are pediatric dentists because many orthodontic problems are found and fixed when children are young.
We need a healthy, functional bite to chew food well and enjoy it. And our teeth and jaws should be in the right place for a healthy bite. When your teeth are in the right place, you not only look better when you smile, but you can also speak more clearly.
When teeth are out of place, it not only makes it hard to smile, but it can also cause painful tooth movement. Misaligned teeth can be caused by many different things, such as genetics and habits like sucking your thumb as a child.
An Orthodontist Helps To Straighten Teeth
Orthodontists can treat pain caused by teeth that aren’t in the right place, but straightening teeth is their primary goal. Orthodontists can help you get straight teeth by giving you tools like braces. There are many kinds of braces, from metal brackets and fixed wires to the teeth to clear aligners that can be taken off. Your orthodontist may suggest a specific type of braces based on how bad your problem is.
Are Orthodontists The Same As Dentists?
No, that’s the short answer. Dentists are doctors who take care of teeth, gums, jaws, and the mouth’s health as a whole. Orthodontists, on the other hand, are experts in misaligned teeth. They fix problems like bad bites, uneven faces, crooked teeth, and teeth that aren’t in the right place.
Both dentists and orthodontists have a degree in dentistry, but to be an orthodontist, you need extra training. After dental school, most orthodontists train for another three to five years to get their specialization.
When you go to the dentist next, depending on your dental health and condition, you may be sent to an orthodontist for specialized treatment.
Why Might I Want To Find A Local Orthodontist?
During your regular dental checkups, if your dentist notices any of the following problems, they will send you to a nearby orthodontist.
Spaces Between Teeth That Can Be Seen
A diastema is a gap or space between teeth that can be seen. These spaces can happen anywhere in the mouth and can happen to both adults and children. The problem can be present from birth, and it can sometimes be obvious enough to need treatment from a cosmetic dentist.
Diastema, or gaps between teeth
An orthodontist can help you with this problem by putting braces on you. Wires and brackets in braces put pressure on your teeth, causing them to move over time. People often don’t get braces because they take a long time to get and look ugly.
Veneers
If you don’t want braces, you might be able to talk to your orthodontist about other ways to improve the look of your teeth, such as dental veneers. A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-colored material to close spaces between teeth and make your smile look better. But veneers work best for small gaps between teeth and might not work for bigger gaps.
Misaligned teeth
Sometimes teeth grow crooked or don’t fit right in the mouth, giving the person a crooked smile. Most babies are born with crooked teeth, but they can also get them from habits like sucking on a pacifier or thumb. If you have crooked teeth, the nearest orthodontist can suggest ways to fix them.
One common choice is using different braces, such as ceramic, metal, lingual, and clear aligners. But the process of getting braces is usually long and can take years, depending on how bad the case is. Also, braces shouldn’t be used on kids younger than 7.
Misaligned jaw
Misaligned teeth are harder to clean. If your jawbones aren’t straight, your teeth might not sit right in your mouth, which can cause problems with your bite. This can make eating, talking, sleeping, and even breathing difficult.
Orthognathic treatment, or jaw surgery, is a surgery needed for moving teeth that aren’t in the right place. It is meant to make biting easier and help with problems like a small chin, an overjet, an overbite, or a crossbite that makes your face look uneven.
Even though orthodontic treatments might sound complicated, they can help you avoid problems with your teeth for the rest of your life.
What Signs Do I Have If I Have Improper Bite?
If your dentist doesn’t tell you, it might be hard to notice that your bite isn’t correct. Some signs are so subtle that you might miss them at first. But a bite that isn’t in the right place can cause more problems than you can imagine.If any of the following things happen, you should know that your bite is off.
Trouble Saying Things
If the teeth or jaw are out of place, it can be hard to speak. This happens when your tongue is stuck and can’t move around. Because of this, you might not be able to say words clearly. In some cases, the person might even start to lisp.
Troubles When You Bite Or Chew
If your teeth don’t fit together right, you may put too much pressure on them when moving them. This can make it hard to bite and chew food or even hurt.
Brushing That Hurts
When teeth overlap or are too close, the bite can be off, making it hard to brush and floss. If you don’t clean your teeth well, you can get problems like cavities and gum disease. So, if you have trouble brushing, it could be because of a bad bite.
Grind Or Clench Your Teeth
braces dentist near me: Grinding or clenching your teeth is a sign that your bite isn’t correct.
When they sleep, some people clench or grind their teeth. Even though there could be other reasons, the leading cause is a piece that is out of place.
TMD
When you sleep, your jaw muscles try to move your teeth into their natural position. This is what makes you grind your teeth. Because of this, you may wake up with facial pain, headaches, earaches, worn-down teeth, and stiffness in your jaw and the muscles around it, which can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Jaw Ache
It’s natural to want to bite correctly, but doing so too hard can stress your jaw muscles, which can cause discomfort and pain in the long run. You need to see an orthodontist or dentist immediately if this happens to you. Also, if you open your mouth to speak, yawn, or eat and hear or feel a clicking sound or pain, there may be a problem with your teeth or jaws.
Finding An Orthodontist Near You who Charges A Fair Price
You can find affordable orthodontic offices near you in several different ways. But it’s essential to keep the budget and the expertise in check. You wouldn’t want to risk lowering the quality of care just to save money.
Start with recommendations from the dentist you already see. Because your dentist knows about your health, they will be able to give you the best advice. Google and phone books are also good places to look for information.
