Do you smile with your lips closed? Do you cover your mouth with your hand while you laugh? While many people have , you should see one of our Grand Rapids 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.
Here are 5 reasons orthodontic treatment might be a good idea and the types of braces we might recommend for you.
Teen vs. Adult Patients
Generally speaking, it’s recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) that children undergo an initial orthodontic evaluation around the time they turn 7 years old. At this age, your child will have a mixture of baby and permanent teeth so our orthodontists can see how they are all coming in and if any problems are forming.
Related Post → When Should I Take my Child to the Orthodontist?
With that said, if you’re interested in adult braces, it is still possible to move your teeth into a more ideal position outside of your teenage years. That’s because, regardless of age, teeth will naturally respond to forces placed on them over time. This remains true whether you choose traditional metal braces or Invisalign® clear aligners. Treatment may be slightly slower for adults, however, due to denser bone which is more set in place unlike the process for growing teen patients.
Getting Braces May Benefit Those With:
1. Overbites
Do your bottom teeth sometimes bite into the roof of your mouth or completely disappear when you bite? You may be suffering from a pronounced . Minor overbites have a low risk of leading to any additional health issues though the longer the overbite is left uncorrected, the greater chance of it causing:
- Breathing problems
- Pain when chewing
- Gum disease
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
- Speech issues
Regardless of your age, our local orthodontists can improve the appearance of your smile by fixing your overbite. You should, however, know that treatment for an overbite is easier in children because their jaws haven’t finished growing, making them easier to move through orthodontic treatment.
2. Underbites
The opposite of an overbite is an . Underbites occur when the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw. They can range from mild to severe and may not even be noticeable to other people. When they’re ignored, however, you risk worn front teeth, chewing problems and jaw pain.
Learn More → Why It's Never Too Late for Adult Braces
Our orthodontists have years of experience treating both adults and children with underbites. Because the jaw is still growing when patients are younger, it’s always best to correct the issue early on in life. If you have an underbite as an adult and want to improve your oral health, please feel free to get in touch with our Grand Rapids, MI, orthodontics office.
3. Open Bites
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 who have not yet sought out orthodontic treatment for an open bite 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. Crossbites
When your teeth fail to properly line up once you close your mouth, you likely have a crossbite. There are two major which can be labeled as either posterior or anterior. Both may occur due to prolonged pacifier use, thumb sucking, tongue thrust while swallowing, missing teeth, premature baby tooth loss, or other.
A posterior crossbite refers to the upper back teeth sitting inside of the bottom teeth. This will make your teeth look tilted in toward your tongue instead of squared up straight. On the other hand, an anterior crossbite involves one or multiple of your upper teeth resting behind your lower front teeth.
Though sometimes confused with an underbite, anterior crossbites don’t involve all of your upper teeth behind your bottom teeth. Early treatment is important with crossbites which means our orthodontists will recommend Phase 1 orthodontics for your child if one is detected. This isn’t to say adults can’t also have crossbites treated, which they can.
5. Significant Crowding & Spacing Issues
Closing 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.
On the other hand, 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.
Alternative Treatment With Invisalign
If you think you would feel self-conscious having traditional metal braces or even ceramic braces, ask our orthodontists if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. Like the name suggests, Invisalign consists of 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 aligners, 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 orthodontists in Grand Rapids, MI, are accepting new patients and are here to correct misaligned bites or crowded teeth. If you’re ready to get started, call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics today at (616) 455-4800 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.