New digital imaging technology is making orthodontic treatment easier for the patient and the orthodontia professional alike. Read on to see how these new options in orthodontia are transforming the patient experience.
You’re looking into orthodontia, most likely because you want to improve the appearance of your smile and gain rows of beautiful, straight teeth that nature didn’t give you. Perhaps you’re considering braces or clear aligners for your child or tween who is the recipient of your genetics when it comes to their teeth.
Orthodontic work has many benefits aside from aligning and straightening your teeth. It’s a good investment, not only in your oral health, but also in your overall health.
Karen Reese, DDS, a specialist in Orthodontics with Reese Orthodontics in New Hope and Chanhassen, Minnesota, has improved the smile and oral health of hundreds of patients in her years of practice. Dr. Reese conducts an oral exam, takes digital X-rays, and makes a determination of what type of orthodontic treatment you may need. You’re in excellent hands.
Following are the benefits of orthodontia that go beyond a beautiful smile.
You know the importance of brushing and flossing, but did you realize that the job is incomplete when your teeth are crooked or crowded against each other? That’s because it’s very difficult to eliminate all of the bacteria that can accumulate between your teeth when they’re packed tightly together or overlap each other. Your teeth are simply more susceptible to decay this way. Orthodontia rectifies the problem, providing proper spacing between teeth and straightening crooked or overlapping teeth.
You increase the chance of developing gum disease when your teeth are crooked and/or crowded. Almost half of Americans have gum disease, and more than half of those over age 65 have moderate or severe periodontitis, the most dangerous form of gum disease.
Periodontitis is a chronic gum infection from bacteria in your mouth that aren’t wiped away with brushing and flossing. The infection causes your gums to recede; the gums move lower and lower to the point where part of the tooth root may show. Your gums also may be swollen and red. Untreated periodontitis causes tooth loss, because the disease damages your jawbone that holds your teeth in place.
The bacteria in your mouth that you can’t remove with brushing and flossing can move through your bloodstream and create inflammation in your body. Undue inflammation damages body tissue, joints, and blood vessels, and you don’t know it’s happening until a new health condition pops up. That’s how periodontitis can create a secondary infection.
Crooked teeth can place too much stress on your jaw muscles, causing a jaw disorder, TMD, that causes pain when chewing food and an aching jaw. When your teeth are crooked and crowded, they may not be aligned, causing an improper bite and excess wear on your tooth enamel.
Are you ready for a smile transformation and improved oral health? Call our office most convenient to you or book an appointment for an orthodontic consultation online today. Dr. Reese can be your professional partner in your dental health.
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New digital imaging technology is making orthodontic treatment easier for the patient and the orthodontia professional alike. Read on to see how these new options in orthodontia are transforming the patient experience.
At your child’s latest dental checkup, your dentist tells you they would benefit from a growth modifying appliance. You’re wondering what that is, why it’s needed, and how it works.
Your teen needs orthodontia but doesn’t want metal braces. The Invisalign® system is a great alternative, with a line of clear aligners made specifically for teenagers. This may be the solution you’ve both been looking for.
Do you have a functional and aesthetic problem with your bite? Perhaps you have a severe underbite that makes your jaw jut forward or perhaps it’s the opposite. Problems like these can be corrected with orthodontic surgery.
Do you have new braces? Whether they’re clear aligners or metal brackets with wires, it’s important to take good care of them so they can do their job: straighten your teeth.
While orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists specialize in orthodontics. Learn about the differences and how both orthodontists and dentists can create healthy, bright smiles, and which is the right choice when it comes to orthodontic treatment.