An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of crooked or misaligned teeth. They also address problems with overbites and under bites, when the top and bottom of the jaw are misaligned or not proportionate. If you have crooked teeth you may be tempted to see a cosmetic dentist for a quick fix, but there are some good reasons why a traditional orthodontist is the better choice. Consider a few of those reasons here.
1. Cosmetic dentistry won't address health problems associated with misaligned teeth
If your teeth are misaligned, this can cause headaches and jaw pain. The teeth of the upper and lower jaw rest on each other for support, and the muscles that work your jaw stretch around your head and neck. If your upper and lower jaws cannot properly rest on each other, these muscles get overworked and in turn, they get stiff and sore. You may feel pain at the jaw hinge or get headaches as a consequence.
Cosmetic dentistry may mean putting a cap or bonding over teeth to make them look more even, but they won't truly be properly aligned. In turn, your upper and lower jaws won't be getting the support they need and you may still experience stiffness along the jaw line and headaches.
2. Orthodontics will mean permanent corrections to the teeth
Cosmetic fixes to your teeth are rarely permanent. Bonding and veneers can eventually harden and chip or come right off over time. Caps are also not permanent as the glue that holds them in place can also harden and allow the cap to come loose.
Orthodontics, however, is a permanent solution to misaligned teeth. Teeth are gently pushed into place with braces or other devices and the bones actually reform in the jaw line. In turn, the teeth are permanently aligned and the work will not need to be redone several years down the road.
3. Orthodontics treat the face as a whole
An orthodontist is concerned about more than teeth; he or she will treat the face as a whole. The work they do will ensure the bones of the jaw and face are properly formed so that a patient not only has a nice appearance but can comfortably talk, chew, and otherwise use their jaw without interference. When teeth are misaligned, this may be the result of poorly formed bone which can cause pain along the jaw line and interfere with proper jaw function. An orthodontist (like those at Denticheck) will address this problem so a patient is healthy and free of pain.
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