Why do you need an Orthodontist?

Are you wondering if you need to see an orthodontist improve the appearance or health of your smile? The truth is that an orthodontist has advanced training in the functions, health, and diseases of the teeth, gums and supporting structures of your mouth. They can tell you whether or not you are the right candidate for certain types of procedures, like traditional braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

Straightening Your Teeth with Help from an Orthodontist

Getting your crooked, crowded, or improperly spaced teeth do more for your mouth, teeth, and gums than give you a great smile. It can also help you take better care of your teeth, and it can correct specific speaking and chewing problems. If you frequently bite your cheeks and lips, straightening your teeth will make it less likely that you’ll bite your cheeks.

Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontist for Teeth Straightening

You’ll get a complete diagnosis of the health of your teeth and gums.
Your smile will improve, and you may notice an increase in your self-esteem.
Other issues, like gum disease and cavities, are identified and treated before you begin straightening your teeth.
You may notice an improvement in your speech after you straighten your teeth.
You may experience less biting of your cheeks and lips after your teeth are straightened.
Your facial appearance and the profile of your face may look better.

Poorly Aligned Teeth Can Lead to an Increased Risk for Cavities and Gum Disease

Having twisted, crooked, and crowded teeth make it difficult for you to brush and floss your teeth properly. No matter how carefully you brush, you may not be able to reach all the surfaces of your teeth. If your teeth are incredibly crowded, it is difficult, if not impossible, to thread floss between them. When this happens, food particles and plaque will remain on your teeth for an extended period. In turn, this creates a bacteria explosion in the area, which can weaken the enamel and lead to cavities.

Crooked and Improperly Spaced Teeth May Make You More Prone to Developing Gum Disease

Along with an increased risk of cavities, you may also be more prone to developing gum disease. Especially if you have any underlying conditions that affect the blood flow to your gums, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Gum disease begins when the plaque on your teeth calcifies creating an issue called tartar. Tartar can also make your teeth appear yellow. It’s important to understand that no amount of brushing or flossing will remove tartar. A dentist or orthodontist must remove it. Not to mention, if you want to straighten your teeth, gum disease can make the process more complicated.

You May Need More than Just Braces or Invisalign

Specific misalignment problems with the jaw can result in the need for additional treatments before and after teeth straightening. This is especially true is your upper, and lower jaws grew at different rates while you were a child. This can result in a severe over or under bite that affects your facial appearance. While there are orthodontic appliances that can help correct moderate to severe over and underbites, surgery may also be required. An orthodontist is better able to decide as to whether or not you need additional treatments and surgery before getting braces or Invisalign.

Improving the Health of Your Smile with Our Orthodontist in Oklahoma City

Improving the appearance of your smile and the health of your teeth and gums can be as simple as straightening your teeth. Our orthodontist in Oklahoma city can evaluate the health of your teeth and gums and any alignment problems and recommend the correct teeth straightening procedure. If you have severely crooked or crowded teeth or a severe over, under, or crossbite, you may need traditional braces. With less severe teeth alignment problems, Invisalign may be right for you.

If you have cavities or gum disease that must be corrected at the time of your dental consultation for teeth straighten. All teeth straightening devices can trap bacteria and food particles against your teeth if you don’t increase your oral hygiene routine. Existing issues, like cavities and gum disease, can make the problem worse. The good news is that once your oral health problems are under control, you’ll be able to straighten your teeth.

To schedule an appointment with our orthodontist to see if braces or Invisalign would be right for you, give us a call at 405-604-3745.

Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.