The world of dentistry and orthodontics may not be something that is familiar to everyone. Unless you have had first-hand experience with treatments, it is unlikely you will have a clear idea of what they are or how they work.
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This article will act as a beginner guide to orthodontic treatments, so you can learn a bit more about what they are and how they are used. First, we will discuss the concept of orthodontics and then talk about two of the most common orthodontic treatments.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a field within the dental industry that aims to correct misaligned teeth. When people grow and new teeth come through, the new teeth often do not grow in a straight line, and they can sometimes start overlapping each other. While general dentistry is about treating tooth decay, with orthodontics, the aim is to align and close gaps within the teeth.
Although orthodontics is less about oral hygiene, keeping your teeth in good condition still comes into play with orthodontics. If your teeth are severely overlapping, then it is likely you are unable to get right in between the teeth to clean. Not being able to clean off the plaque means that the plaque can sit on the teeth and potentially cause decay.
Once you have had orthodontic treatment, your teeth will be perfectly aligned. This means that you can clean properly as you can access the full surface of the teeth. Additionally, many people struggle with body image issues due to how their teeth look, so orthodontic treatment can be a good way of ensuring you get your smile back and feel happier about your appearance.
Type of treatments
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a fairly new orthodontic treatment, but they have grown in popularity over the last few years. When adults seek orthodontic treatment, often they do not want traditional metal braces as they are not very aesthetically pleasing.
Clear aligners are a great alternative as they are a practically invisible treatment and there are no eating restrictions. As clear aligners are such a new treatment, there may be some concern about can aligners fix crooked teeth. Essentially, the aligners are clear retainers that are fitted to the teeth. The aligners use gentle pressure to slowly move the teeth into the correct position.
Metal braces
Even if you are not familiar with the world of orthodontics, it is likely that you would have heard of metal braces. Fixed metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment and, like aligners, work by slowly putting pressure on the teeth. With metal braces, you have something permanently fixed to your teeth, which can be a little difficult to get used to in the beginning.
However, braces shouldn’t be painful, but they may just feel a little uncomfortable. Metal braces are effective, but they do have some downsides when it comes to eating. There are certain food restrictions for someone wearing braces, which is why more people are opting for clear aligners instead.
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