Adult Orthodontic Treatment in Buffalo, NY
One of the most noticeable visible features of a person is their smile. The smile tells a story. Whether you’re happy, excited, or welcoming, everybody can see it. However, if you’re trying to hide your smile away from the world, you may seem closed off and begin to feel self-conscious. This is common for people who dislike the way that their teeth or smile look. Instead of hiding your smile, be confident in the way you look with adult orthodontic treatment in Buffalo, NY.
What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a type of specialist that works to perfect the alignment and functionality of the teeth and jawbone. Orthodontists are trained to detect, prevent, and treat all kinds of dental alignment issues. While dentists and orthodontists may share some similarities and can work together to help your teeth feel strong and healthy, orthodontists specialize in jaw and teeth alignment while dentists focus on the general health of the oral cavity. Because of that, if you have a concern with the way your teeth are aligned, you should visit an orthodontist rather than your general dentist.
Common Reasons for Adult Orthodontic Treatment
There are many reasons that adults may want to visit with an orthodontist. Some of the most common reasons, though, include improper bites and unfavorable teeth spacing. If your upper and lower teeth do not slightly sit behind your upper teeth with your molars fitting in the grooves of the opposite row of molars, your bite is not considered ideal.
The most frequently seen types of improper bites include overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites, with over and underbites being most common. As the names suggest, overbites occur when the top row of teeth overlap the bottom row, and underbites occur when the bottom row of teeth overlap the top. Aside from bites, if teeth spacing is your issue, this is correctable with orthodontic treatment. Teeth that are overlapping or have no space in the mouth are called crowded.
When the teeth are crowded, daily activities like talking and chewing can become painful. Additionally, your teeth may rub against each other at a faster rate allowing them to wear or break down enamel which can lead to tooth sensitivity. Clearly, there are many reasons why an adult may consider orthodontic treatment!
Adult Orthodontic Treatment Options
Your individual treatment option will depend on what is occurring with your teeth. No two set of teeth are exactly alike, so each case must be personalized. That being said, there are various treatment options common for adults. They include receiving traditional metal braces, clear aligners, ceramic braces, or lingual braces.
Traditional metal braces are the common image that comes to mind when you picture braces. They are metal brackets on the teeth connected by metal wires. They work by gradually pulling the teeth into the correct placement in the oral cavity. While ceramic braces work the same way as traditional braces, the brackets are made of ceramic which allows them to blend in more with your natural tooth color.
Lingual braces also work as traditional braces do, but they are placed behind the teeth rather than on the front side. These may be uncomfortable, but they are significantly less visible than both ceramic and traditional braces.
Lastly, clear aligners are a relatively new form of adult orthodontic treatment that work by using clear retainer-like pieces of plastic to gradually shape your teeth.
Because there are so many options, it’s best to discuss them with an experienced orthodontist.
Finding the Best Orthodontist for Your Treatment
If you’re searching for a reliable and trustworthy orthodontist that can help you get the smile and confidence of your dreams, Orthodontists Associates of WNY is here for you. Not only are our orthodontists experienced and educated, but our staff is ready to welcome you to our family. For a free consultation, call us today!
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