Why do people get braces? Are crooked teeth really that big a deal?
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At Rockwood Orthodontics, we see all kinds of patients with unique orthodontic needs. But why get braces at all? The most immediately obvious answer to the question of why people get braces - or other orthodontic treatment - is that straight teeth look nicer than crooked teeth. For some people, their crooked teeth are a source of embarrassment, and we don’t think that anybody should have to hide their smile.
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In fact, studies show that 83% of people 18-54 reported improved personal relationships post-orthodontic treatment and 58% reported improved career success (studies published by American Association of Orthodontists).
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We believe that every child should have an evaluation by age seven. Why? Because many problems can start early. By heading them off with conservative treatments when kids are young, we can avoid more complex or invasive treatments later. Not every child will need these interventions, of course, but if your child does, it’s much better to identify them now. Doing so could reduce the time your child spends in braces and eliminate the need for more costly interventions down the road.
But there are more reasons than just aesthetic reasons to get braces or Invisalign. Crooked, crowded, and misaligned teeth are also more difficult to clean. In time, this could mean a higher risk of decay and periodontal disease. If your bite is misaligned, you could also wind up with dental erosion, jaw pain, and a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder, in which your jaw joint just below your ear becomes inflamed and painful.
How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?
In the past, your orthodontic options were more limited and were more likely to be uncomfortable and bulky. Today, we have many types of appliances to choose from, and some are barely noticeable! In addition to metal, your appliance could be made from ceramic or even plastic. It could also be bonded to your teeth or removable. The way that braces (and other orthodontic treatments) and appliances work is by exerting a gentle but constant force on your teeth, carefully controlled by your Rockwood orthodontist to gradually move your teeth into their correct positions.
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We make braces fun! These days, you can choose clear or metal brackets, and you can eve choose the color of your ties (which are used to hold the wire in place in the brackets). Wires aren’t as obvious as they once were, and updated materials and techniques allow the teeth to move more quickly with less discomfort, making treatment faster and more efficient.
How Long Will My Treatment Last?
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Orthodontic treatment depends upon your own unique factors which include the growth rate of your mouth and face and how severe the problem is. Some patients have treatments that last 10-12 months, some treatments are 16-24 months, few are longer than 24 months. Rockwood Orthodontics is proud to offer low cost braces for your whole family.
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While we’ll do our best to accurately estimate your treatment time, some variation is possible. Unforeseen circumstances can come up, and you may respond to treatment differently than expected. Additionally, your diligence in caring for your oral health and using your appliances is also an important part of your treatment program and will help determine the length of your treatment time.
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Reasons To Seek Braces
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Having a yellowish or dull smile tends to make a low impression while dealing with society, and in turn, causes a lack of confidence to move further. So, getting proper treatment from a professional oral expert is a smart move, rather than seeking better health through their expertise working methods.
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The Need For a Brighter Smile
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Due to the consumption of certain foods and drinks, stains can form on teeth. Avoiding things like special agents in teeth holds a chance of restoring a beautiful white-toothed smile. Superficial changes are often used at home to remove or reduce discoloration to make a brighter smile. These kinds of chemicals are available over the counter where they sell toothpaste, strips and other enhancing kits for improving overall oral appearance.
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Reasons For Tooth Discoloration
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There are various factors that can impact the appearance of your teeth. Some of these include:
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Food & Drink – Consumption of coffee, tea, and/or alcohol might be a staining culprit. The intense color pigments in these foods and drinks attach to the white & outer parts of a tooth’s surface.
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Tobacco – Having a habit of consuming tobacco-like tar and nicotine creates an impact on your teeth, making a yellowish surface.
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Age – Due to age, improper maintenance of teeth could lead to an infected surface.
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Medication – A certain intake of heavy chemical items for various other health issues can give side effects that negatively impact the appearance of your teeth. Sometimes facing chemotherapy also exposes a chance of darkening teeth.
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Whitening Products
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Most of these kits hold a chemical called carbamide peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals can remove superficial and deeper discoloration of teeth. Depending on the kit, teeth will either be whitened with a toothbrush, or a different method; in the form of a gel that’s placed on both the upper & lower teeth. The process a high concentration of bleaching agents that can be administered by an oral specialist or trained by assistants. A professional method of application is available and done in a dental clinic, which provides a more guaranteed and swift result in whitening teeth.
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Strips
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Certain strips could contain hydrogen peroxide with a sheet of polyethylene, which can be used at home. Teeth whitening treatments provide various forms of bleaching that makes teeth sensitive. Strips can also irritate gums when they're not used properly.
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Professional Guidance
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Professional whitening process starts at setting an appointment with your dentist. These are done only after consulting a professional. If there are large fillings or caps in the front of your teeth, then bleaching is not the right choice. Using certain chemicals that aid natural teeth with a restoration material can result in different colors to artificial fillings. One of the most effective yellow-teeth treatments could be less effective on impacting brown or gray spots, resulting in an exposure of tetracycline antibiotics.
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The procedure is performed where a patient is placed in a chair with a professional who places a lip retractor in the mouth; a plastic guide that moves lips out of way to create ease of access. The dentist covers all gums around the front phase of teeth with a gel and uses a high-powered light to expose all treatable areas. These kinds of gingival barriers help to avoid bleaching the enamel with the chemicals used during the whitening process.
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Most of the clinical appliances use gel in teeth whitening, and dental experts will make a point to rinse off the gel and reapply a new coat with certain enhancing substances. These kits include custom made trays to fit in teeth along with tubes of whitening gel to use a lower concentration of bleaching agents. The patient uses trays that hold gels, and wears them for a specified number of minutes to gain a brighter surface.
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Other professional processes
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One of the procedures used throughout the industry involves laser technology. Through these platforms, whitening is performed in which a rubber mold is placed on teeth to protect the gums from bleaching materials that are exposed to teeth. A light or laser emitted is used to activate the chemicals, which speeds up the reaction of the chemicals. All in all, the change of color is achieved faster without any side effects.
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Preventive methods
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Enamel has a layer that covers a tooth underneath it, which is due to a cause of dentin to be exposed. Changes in eating and drinking non-stained foods are required by those who’ve whitened their teeth.
Benefits
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Gaining self-confidence that’s apparent with an indication that you take care of oral health and appearance.
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People are more likely to focus on a beautiful, white smile than any other abnormality.
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Some combination of whitening chemicals enhance the impact of the procedure, creating a bigger result. They can help to kill bacteria that might reduce infection in the mouth.
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Reduce risk
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If a person is looking for a quick and easy process that changes the appearance of their teeth, and has a limited budget, there are many options one can choose from to whiten their teeth. These kinds of approaches do not cause any negative impact in one’s mouth, but it is important to consult your dentist to see if these options are right for you.
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