The Stages of Orthodontics You Must Go Through When Straightening Your Teeth

If you are using orthodontics to straighten your teeth, you will see results before you know it.  Both traditional braces and clear aligners are excellent ways to move teeth into position so that they can look perfect.  There is, however, more to moving teeth than simply wearing braces.  Very often teeth are too crowded and the bite is misaligned, as well.  We address all of these issues in our office in order to move your teeth and jaw into position.

Here are the basic stages you must go through in order to correct all of the issues with your smile.

Overcrowding

We must first address overcrowding.  This happens when you have too many teeth for your palate and must be dealt with before teeth are straightened.  We can do so by expanding your pallet using a metal expander that is attached to the roof of your mouth, or pulling your teeth.  During your consultation, we will discuss the various options so that you can determine which one you would prefer.  Once done, we will be able to move your teeth into position because there will be enough room for them.

Aligning and Straightening

This is the part of orthodontics that most people think about and where you will start seeing a noticeable difference in your appearance. Most often this is done either by wearing clear aligners like with Invisalign® or by using metal braces.  If aligners are used, you will replace them every couple of weeks so that your teeth will slowly move into place.  If you wear metal braces, brackets are placed on each of your teeth, and a wire is threaded between them then held in place with rubber bands.  On regularly scheduled appointments, the wire will be replaced or tightened and be secured with new rubber bands.  Both will be used to move your teeth into position one tooth at a time.

Correcting Your Bite

Moving your teeth into place isn’t enough.  We must also correct your bite so that your upper teeth fit perfectly over the top of your bottom ones.  This is important because it impacts your jaw.  People with misaligned bites can experience jaw and TMJ pain on a regular basis in addition to having difficulty eating.  We can move your jaw into place using several orthodontics methods.  This includes stringing a rubber band from one of your upper brackets to one of your lower brackets.  The rubber bands hold the teeth and jaw in place.  In order for your jaw to be perfectly aligned, your teeth must be in the correct position front-to-back, side-to-side, and top-to-bottom. 

It can take time to accomplish all three of these things and before your braces come off they must be done.  In order to get an idea of what you need and how long these stages will take, schedule a consultation.  We can inspect your mouth and give you an idea of what will happen along with treatment options that you can choose from.  

Learn How Long Cosmetic Dentistry Solutions Normally Last and How to Care for Your New Teeth

In our cosmetic dentistry office, we offer a variety of solutions for restoring damaged teeth and transforming smiles.  We believe that our patients should love their smile, and we have the tools to make sure that they do.  Some of our solutions include dental veneers and dental crowns, both of which can cover dark stains, close gaps, restore damaged teeth, and make teeth look even and perfect.  The results are natural and absolutely beautiful.

When trying to decide which solution is right for you, it is important to understand the differences between them and how long they last.  A veneer is a thin shell that is placed on top of your natural tooth, so the tooth structure needs to be in fairly good condition.  If too much of the structure has been lost, a crown is a better option because a crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. While a veneer can improve a tooth’s appearance, a crown can strengthen and protect it in addition to improving the appearance.  In other words, the more damage you have, the more likely you are to need a crown.

In order to take care of veneers and crowns, you need to brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and floss throughout the day. You should also schedule a teeth cleaning with our cosmetic dentistry office for at least twice a year.  The goal is to keep your teeth and gums in good health because if they become infected, your veneers and crowns could be in jeopardy.  You should also avoid eating ice, jawbreakers, biting your nails and anything that could cause them to fall off or become chipped.

When you practice these simple steps, your veneers and crowns should stay in good condition and last for years to come.  How long they last depends on you maintaining good oral hygiene along with how long they are designed to last in the first place.  Veneers, for example, are made to last for five to ten years.  After that time, you will probably need to replace them.

Understanding how long a crown will last is a little trickier because it depends on the type of crown that you wear.  All-porcelain crowns are typically worn on front teeth because they look the most natural.  They are made of the same material as veneers but surround the tooth.  They typically last for at least five years, the same as a veneer would.  If you have a porcelain-on-metal crown, it should last for five to ten years but during that time the porcelain may start to wear away, leaving a portion of the metal exposed.  This happens most frequently around the borders of the tooth and looks like a grey shade.  If you really want a long-term solution, you should consider an all-metal crown.  This doesn’t look natural at all, so it is best for your back teeth.  It will, however, last for fifteen years or longer.

To learn more about your options and how to help your new teeth last longer, call our cosmetic dentistry office.