Over 4 million people in the United States wear braces, making orthodontics an incredibly common branch of dentistry. Despite this, many people don’t understand the importance of orthodontic care in Parkland, the right age to begin treatment, and why they might need it. Here’s what you should know.
What Is Orthodontic Treatment in the First Place?
Orthodontics is a dentistry specialty that involves the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of misaligned bite patterns, as well as malpositioned jaws and teeth. This is most commonly done by wearing braces, such as traditional metal braces or clear aligners like Invisalign.
Why Would Someone Require Orthodontic Care in Parkland?
There are many reasons why someone would require orthodontic treatment, including overbites, underbites, crowding, crooked teeth, and other concerns. Orthodontic treatment helps prevent tooth decay, TMJ disorder, and headaches, as well as other issues related to jaw and / or teeth misalignment. No matter the condition or type of misalignment you struggle with, orthodontic care is done for two primary reasons: functionality and aesthetics.
What Is the Right Age to Have Orthodontic Treatment?
There is no wrong or right age to start prioritizing your dental health and visiting an orthodontist. That being said, it’s recommended that children start seeing an orthodontist at age seven in order to be proactive.
Will Teeth Need to Be Removed for Orthodontic Treatment?
Teeth extraction is typically only needed if the mouth is too crowded, but many people don’t require removal of any of their permanent teeth to correct crowding, and space can be made using other treatments. Your orthodontist will let you know if extraction is a necessity.
Are the Results From Orthodontic Care Permanent?
Minor tooth movements throughout your life are normal and part of the aging process, even with good retention. It’s rare to require additional treatments as long as you maintain proper orthodontic health and wear your prescribed oral devices such as a retainer or night guard if needed.
Choose SLS Orthodontics for All of Your Orthodontic Care Needs!
Learn more about orthodontic care in Parkland and beyond with help from Dr. Shaun L. Smith and team here at SLS! We help our patients receive the right treatments for their needs and empower everyone to make decisions confidently.
Book an appointment today by calling 954-368-0105!