Orthodontics

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is similar to dentistry, and the two are closely linked. Instead of focusing on oral health and hygiene like dentistry, orthodontics focuses on the positions of your teeth and jaw. 

When your teeth aren’t well aligned, many complications can occur. Malocclusion can affect your speech, your ability to chew, and even your sleep at night because of obstructive sleep apnea. 

Crooked or crowded teeth are also harder to clean, so forgoing orthodontic treatments might put you at a higher risk for gum disease and cavities. 

If you’re interested in considering one or several orthodontic services to align your teeth, the orthodontists at Sethi Dental are prepared to help you explore your options. 

During an orthodontic consultation, they take pictures of your mouth and evaluate your bite with X-rays and intraoral scans. Using these, they plan your individualized treatment.

Who can benefit from orthodontics?

Orthodontics can address specific types of malocclusion and the complications that result from them. The time it takes to complete treatment and the extent of your treatment vary based on the severity of your orthodontic issue. 

Some types of malocclusion won’t cause any health or function issues, but you still might want to treat them for cosmetic reasons. The team at Sethi Dental  specializes in treating:

• Crooked teeth 
• Crowded teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Open bites
• Crossbites
• Overjets

You can usually correct mild malocclusion with just one treatment, but more severe cases might need multiple steps.

Which treatments does orthodontics involve?

Your personalized orthodontic care plan corrects malocclusion by shifting your teeth, adjusting your jaw, or both. Orthodontic treatments available at Sethi Dental include:

Early orthodontics

Early orthodontics can involve one or more treatments or training devices to eliminate or reduce the need for jaw surgery or extensive orthodontic care later in life. Your child’s early orthodontics program might involve palatal expanders, headgear, or spacers that adjust your child’s teeth while their jaw is still growing. 

Braces

Braces are the most well-known and common orthodontic treatment. Using brackets attached to your teeth, a wire running through them, and metal or rubber bands, you can align your teeth over the months or years. 

Invisalign®

Invisalign is an alternative to braces that uses custom plastic devices that fit over your teeth. You get a series of devices that you must use in the correct order as they gradually push your teeth into better alignment. 

Retainers

Retainers are devices you use after braces or Invisalign to hold your teeth in their new positions. First, you’ll wear your retainers all the time. Eventually, you can wear removable retainers only at night. 

Surgical orthodontics

Surgical orthodontics, or jaw surgery, can adjust your jaw when braces or Invisalign can’t provide a full alignment alone. 

To schedule your orthodontic consultation at Sethi Dental, call the nearest office or book online today.