Our team knows that poor misalignment can lead to embarrassment with your smile, but this could also mean poor oral health too! Which is why our team offers a host of orthodontic options to straighten smiles, some even offer cosmetic benefits, such as Invisalign®. In today’s blog, your Columbia, TN, dentist talks about our orthodontic treatment options.
The Cause and Impacts of Poor Alignment
Our smile can become uneven, developing crooked, crowded, and overlapping teeth, due to issues like premature tooth loss or complications with the loss of baby teeth and the arrival of your permanent ones. Wisdom tooth eruption can be a factor, as can the development of your jaw and key oral structures. Regardless of the cause, poor alignment can make brushing and flossing thoroughly difficult, increasing the risk of concerns like tooth decay and gum disease. The impact on your bite balance could mean TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could also feel embarrassed about your appearance! But we can help with orthodontics.
Braces
Braces are a common means of addressing more severe cases of poor alignment. These involve attaching brackets to the front facing sides of each tooth, and connecting these brackets with an arch wire. We then adjust tension in the wire to begin shifting the teeth into proper positions, usually in about two years.
Invisalign®
Invisalign® doesn’t require braces at all, and instead uses a series of comfortable and clear plastic aligners, each set gradually moving the teeth closer to their optimal position. They’re removable, so eating and brushing/flossing is simple, and they can be taken out for special occasions. On average, optimal results are possible in as little as one year.
Six Month Smiles®
Our team could also offer Six Month Smiles® to address minor cases in as little as a year, or to help those who have had teeth shifted since treatment in prior years. We recommend this for those 16 and older, and involves either clear brackets and wires or aligners to shift the teeth and offer even smiles in as little as six months. These can correct the teeth people see, so you enjoy a more attractive smile in a matter of months.
If you have any questions about how we correct uneven smiles, or about our orthodontic options and which are right for you, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a more even smile in 2024!
Learn More About Orthodontics With Creekside Family Dentistry!
We want to help you enjoy an even smile with a cosmetic approach to orthodontic care, so you can smile with confidence and obtain better oral health too. Give us a call today at Creekside Family Dentistry in Columbia, TN at (931) 388-3384 to schedule your appointment!