Are you self-conscious about your smile because of crowded or crooked teeth? Braces might be the best solution for you. Having straight teeth not only improves the health and functioning of your teeth but also boosts your self-confidence and makes you feel good about your smile.

Braces help by straightening your teeth and making them look, feel, and function better. Metal brackets are directly applied to your teeth and attached by a wire to put pressure on your teeth. Over time, this gentle pressure slowly moves them back to their optimal position.

Do You Need Braces?    

Patients who are eligible for braces are those whose teeth are in good overall condition but wish to fix imperfections such as:

1. Crossbite

This malocclusion happens when one or more of your top teeth don’t correctly line up with your bottom teeth. There are two categories of crossbites: anterior crossbites and posterior crossbites. In an anterior crossbite, your top front teeth lie behind your bottom front teeth, while in posterior crossbites, your top back teeth aren’t aligned properly with your bottom back teeth.

When teeth are misaligned, they can cause severe stress on the jaw, resulting in pain not only in your mouth but also in the neck, shoulders, back, and head. Children dealing with crossbites might grind their teeth together, eventually leading to tooth loss and decay. Unfortunately, crossbites cannot heal themselves, so patients must seek orthodontic care when they can to avoid chronic pain in the future.

2. Open Bite

When your mouth is closed, the top and bottom front teeth don’t touch as they should. The gap that prevents them from meeting is called an open bite. It is often caused by tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, or even chewing on pens, pencils, or erasers. If this problem is not corrected, it could result in speech impediments such as lisping.

Most kids whose baby teeth have not come out have an open bite. However, if the issue doesn’t disappear once the adult teeth come through, it’s time to see your orthodontist. In adults, one may need to undergo corrective surgery to eradicate an open bite.

3. Overbite

An overbite is when your top front teeth cover the bottom front teeth. This is one of the most common causes of malocclusions in orthodontics. Some patients suffer from a slight overbite, while others have a severe overlap. Like other orthodontic conditions, an overbite may be caused by genetics or childhood habits like thumb-sucking.

4. Underbite

As the name suggests, an underbite is the exact opposite of an overbite. Patients that have an underbite have bottom teeth covering the top teeth. Heredity and genetics are the number one causes of an underbite. If one of the parents has an underbite, then one of the children is likely to have one too. It is essential to treat an underbite once you notice it since the strain caused when one is eating could cause severe jaw pain.

5. Crowding

Usually caused by genetics but can also stem from thumb-sucking or nail-biting. Crowded teeth can be overlapped, turned, or crooked, affecting your bite.

6. Spacing

This is the opposite of crowded teeth. The teeth are spaced more than average and can affect one’s biting and chewing.

There Are Plenty of Orthodontic Options

There was a time when the only solution was traditional braces, but now there are a variety of options. If you have a problem with visibility, you could opt for lingual braces that are more discreet. Depending on your oral situation, you may even qualify as a candidate for clear aligners, often known as Invisalign (a popular brand of clear aligners). Invisalign easily slides over your teeth, and gently shifts them into the desired place.

With so many options available, it can be pretty challenging to know which one is the right one for you. This is why seeking a professional orthodontist is a great idea. They will carefully evaluate your teeth and go over all the options to help you determine which type of orthodontic treatment would work best for your mouth and would benefit you the most. Grant yourself the gift of an incredible smile by scheduling an appointment with Rykiss Orthodontics today!

Talk To Your Orthodontist About Adult Braces

Braces are not just designated for teens. In fact, orthodontic procedures provide the same great results for grown-ups as they do for adolescents and young children. More and more adults are taking up orthodontic treatment to fix issues with their teeth. Make sure you choose an orthodontist that has great reviews, a wealth of experience, professionalism, and communicates well.

You want an orthodontic team who will not only explain all the details of the treatment and payment options but also listen to any concerns and questions you may have to ensure everything is thoroughly covered. If you think adult braces are best for you, contact an orthodontist and schedule a visit.