The Most Common Orthodontic Problems

By now, getting orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign is a bit of a rite of passage for many young teens. And even if people don’t get orthodontic treatment during their teen years, a lot of adults choose to get treatment and improve their smiles. The reasons patients decide to find their nearest orthodontist vary, but there are a few common problems that people often need fixing.

Crooked Teeth

This is likely the most well-known reason for deciding to start treatment. People are rarely born with teeth that appear perfectly straight. As such, many patients seek out treatment to straighten out their smiles for improved confidence. Crowding is the most common type of crookedness, which causes teeth to rotate and shift to make room for the rest of the teeth.

Both braces and Invisalign effectively straighten teeth by applying a consistent, precise, and safe level of pressure on each tooth, slowly moving them into position.

Underbite or Overbite

Getting a straight smile is far from being the only benefit of getting orthodontic treatment. Many patients have issues with the alignment of their jaws that need fixing, and braces and Invisalign are both great options to solve them.

An underbite occurs when the lower jaw sticks out too far compared to the upper jaw, and an overbite is the opposite problem. Both can be addressed by stretching elastic bands between the upper and lower jaws and attaching them to the orthodontic appliances. By pulling the jaw in the right direction, it will be properly aligned by the end of the treatment process.

Jaw Pain

Many people underestimate the connection between crooked teeth and jaw pain, yet the effect one has on the other is significant. Many patients find their chronic headaches and jaw pain are reduced after they finish orthodontic treatment, which is understandable when you get a better understanding of how treatment can correct patients’ bites.

When the jaw isn’t positioned properly and when teeth don’t allow for a clean bite, it can result in some intense pain. When teeth are sticking out, or the position of the jaw creates an underbite or overbite, it prevents the jaw muscles from being in a relaxed position, causing tension. But when teeth get straightened out, patients are able to bite down much easier, easing pain and reducing tension.

Tooth Decay and Wear

It’s also easy for patients to underestimate just how large of an effect crookedness has on dental health. Food gets stuck in between teeth much more easily when the teeth are crooked and it’s harder to thoroughly clean teeth.

What can also be problematic is when some teeth are positioned in a way that results in uneven pressure. When there are only a few teeth taking on a disproportionate amount of the pressure from a bite, or if one side of some teeth is taking on too much pressure, cracks can form and the surface of some teeth can wear down. But when teeth are straight, they’re better set up for long-term health.

To learn more about the benefits of getting orthodontic treatment, schedule your free consultation at Milnor Orthodontics today!