Having misaligned teeth can take its toll on both your confidence and the functionality of your mouth. However, orthodontic treatment for adults can help you straighten your smile and correct your bite to give you a smile you love. Find out more about the challenges of crooked teeth and how orthodontic treatment can help you with pediatric dentist, Dr. Ajit Patel, and orthodontist Dr. Joseph Errera at Ashburn Pediatric Dental Care in Ashburn, VA.
Can orthodontic treatment help my smile?
Misaligned teeth can cause many issues which can affect eating, chewing, and even speaking. In some cases, they may even cause digestive problems if patients cannot properly use their teeth to break down their food. Orthodontic care is a versatile facet of dentistry and is able to treat many dental issues. Some of the most common uses for braces include:
- misaligned or crooked teeth
- under crowded or gapped teeth
- overcrowded or overlapped teeth
- overbite
- underbite
- cross bite
- open bite
What are my options for orthodontic treatment?
In the past, the only way to straighten your teeth was with traditional metal braces, which use metal brackets and wires permanently affixed to the teeth. However, in recent years, orthodontics have transformed into more discreet, less visible treatments for patients who do not wish to compromise their look. Treatments like Invisalign, which uses clear aligner trays, and ceramic braces, which uses tooth-colored brackets and wires, can treat your dental problems without being obvious to those around you.
Orthodontic Treatments in Ashburn, VA
The length of orthodontic treatment will depend on the severity of your dental issues and, if using Invisalign, which patients can remove freely, the commitment to wearing your aligner trays. Patients will need to do check-up appointments every four to six weeks to ensure that the progression of their treatment is going according to plan. In addition to these check-ups, patients will need to commit to a strong at-home oral care routine which will help keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. These conditions can hinder your treatment, causing complications like lengthened treatment times. Patients should be sure to brush twice a day and floss between each tooth at least once a day. Patients wearing traditional-style braces will need to use special threading floss to thread the floss under each bracket and wire to reach their teeth properly.
For more information on orthodontics in the Ashburn, VA, area, please contact pediatric dentist, Dr. Ajit Patel, and orthodontist Dr. Joseph Errera at Ashburn Pediatric Dental Care in Ashburn, VA. Call (703) 726-4333 to schedule your appointment today!