Do you smile with your lips closed? Do you cover your mouth with your hand while you laugh? While many people have crooked teeth, you should see one of our orthodontists if your teeth are a source of pain or embarrassment.
Braces will straighten your teeth, fix bite issues, and improve the overall appearance of your smile. Best of all, dental braces give you results that last a lifetime.
Continue reading to learn 5 reasons why you might need braces. We’ll also explain what types of braces our orthodontists might recommend.
1.) Overbite
Do your bottom teeth sometimes bite into the roof of your mouth or completely disappear when you bite? You may be suffering from a . If left untreated, pronounced overbites can lead to gum tissue damage and damage to your front teeth.
Regardless of your age, our orthodontists can improve the appearance of your smile by fixing your overbite. You should, however, know that it is easier to treat overbites in children because their jaws haven’t finished growing, making them easier to move through orthodontic treatment.
2.) Underbite
Do your lower teeth overlap your top front teeth when you smile? If so, you may have an underbite that can be treated by our orthodontists. Underbites can be especially detrimental during eating or talking, increasing your risk of oral injury.
If you suspect that you have an underbite, please do not hesitate to call. Our team of orthodontists is more than qualified to align your teeth into a dazzling smile.
3.) Open Bite
Smile in front of the mirror. Is there a noticeable gap between your upper and lower teeth? If so, you may have an open bite. Patients suffering with open bites often have difficulty with eating or speaking properly. They may also have embarrassing habits, such as tongue thrusting.
If you are suffering with an open bite, our orthodontists can correct your smile through orthodontic treatment involving traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign® braces.
4.) Spacing
Are your teeth irregularly spaced, creating wide gaps in your smile? This may be the result of teeth that are proportionally small compared to the rest of your mouth, or even missing teeth. At Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics, we can help you reclaim your smile.
Closing the wide gaps in your smile may seem like a cosmetic issue. However, it can also help you safeguard your oral health. If your teeth are widely spaced apart, food particles can get stuck and collect on your gums to cause bad breath, cavities, and other dental issues.
5.) Crowding
This is one of the most common reasons to pursue orthodontic treatment. If it seems like there isn’t enough room in your mouth for all your teeth, you may be dealing with a crowding issue that causes your teeth to overlap. Fixing crowded teeth can do wonders toward improving the appearance of your smile.
Correcting your crowded teeth can also help you avoid cavities. Dental plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Once you straighten your teeth, plaque won’t be able to hide as easily.
Are There Any Alternatives to Traditional Metal Braces?
If you think you would feel self-conscious of traditional metal braces on your teeth, ask our orthodontists if you’re a ®. Like the name suggests, Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that fit over your teeth. These aligners exert pressure on your teeth so they move little by little into their final positions.
We can even treat bite issues with Invisalign braces, though you may need SmartForce® attachments. These attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps we bond to your teeth that push against your aligners.
Call Us Today
Our , are accepting new patients! To schedule an appointment, call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics at (616) 455-4800.
This blog post has been updated.