The Science Behind Orthodontic Braces

Do you realize that your teeth can move? They do, and in fact, you can be responsible for the direction they take. Simply put, your teeth are subject to all forms of stresses – biting, cutting, gnawing, mashing, among others – and are not set in concrete, but in living bone. Periodontal ligaments are elastic tissue strands that attach teeth to the bone and causes teeth to move with the forces applied to them. There are micro-movements happening around teeth all the time. Being living tissues, there is constant changing and remodeling.

If a pulling, controlled tension is applied on a tooth, it will cause new bone to be formed on that side of the force. With it will be formation of new ligament and new cementum (that layer which covers the roots of teeth). On the one hand, controlled pressure is applied on the same tooth, there will be some bone reduction or cells trying to resorb bone tissue and ligament tissue on that side, allowing for movement of the tooth. In orthodontia, because the forces applied are controlled and measured, it will enable the final positioning of dentition in the bony arches, securing and stabilizing teeth in the places they are designed to stay.

Such is the goal of orthodontic treatment. Your dentist or orthodontist will work on a treatment plan just for your unique case, creating the brackets, the bands and wires, so that the right pull and pressure are applied to particular teeth. Depending on the amount of movement required for your dental condition, the treatment can be as simple or as complex.

Bellevue Dental Braces for the Right Candidate

If you think you might need orthodontic treatment, better to consult first with Overlake Dental. Know more about dental braces from our caring experts. Here, we offer Bellevue braces plus other options not just for esthetics, but also for return to normal function and overall health.

Orthodontic Treatment: By these signs you would know

While your dentist or orthodontist can determine if one is a candidate for orthodontic therapy, it’s good for a parent to be able to tell if his or her child’s dental condition warrants such a treatment.

If you have observed the following on your child’s dentition, it might be time to take stock of things and think ortho treatment.

Your child has an overbite. This is when the upper front teeth tend to extend further out over the lower front teeth. They tend to stick out and that’s why they are referred to as “buck teeth.” On the other hand, there’s the ‘bulldog profile, when the lower front teeth tend to stick further out than the upper or that the front upper are too far back. This is called an underbite.

When the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally, a crossbite occurs. And do you observed that when the back teeth bite together, there appears a space or a gap that shouldn’t be there between the upper and lower front teeth coming together? You have an open bite in this case and it is also observed on the side teeth; they don’t touch when they should.

Do you also observe crowding? Teeth seem to ‘overlap’ because they grew at an improper angle. Sometimes, they are referred to as ‘crooked’. Sometimes, there seems to be one tooth too many. Do you also see spaces where missing teeth should be? And here’s another – misplaced midline – when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth.

These are the signs that should warn you to seek professional help. Your child may not seem to be bothered by them yet, but it is wise to have a dental check-up and inquire, so that potential dental issues arising from the above conditions can be averted.

Orthodontic Help in Bellevue

Seek out Overlake Dental for your ortho queries when you observed these signs. We can gladly help you or your child to address orthodontic issues and see if Bellevue braces are warranted. Do give u a call or drop by.

Crooked Teeth can lead to Health Problems

As bad as crooked teeth looks, there are other worst dental and overall health hazards posed by these misaligned teeth. Let’s look at some of them so you can have reason to seek professional help sooner than later.

Developing periodontal disease is a common consequence of crooked or misaligned teeth. Your gums are very vulnerable to bacterial invasion caused by tartar for gums do not fit tightly around the affected crooked tooth. In like manner, because these teeth are difficult to clean with brushing and flossing, they allow bacteria to grow in those hard-to-reach spaces. Still another ramification of this condition, bad breath may be a result from food debris left behind.

You also risk injuries to teeth that are crooked. If an upper tooth is misaligned, protruding as it were, it can suffer a crack in case of an accident. Lower protruding teeth are similarly prone to breakage should you bite on a hard object or food as these teeth do not have strong bone support. If there is crowding in the lower jaw, they rub against the upper teeth causing enamel wear. There are chewing, biting and even speaking difficulties; sometimes jaw pain is felt. They will also pose problems should you need dental work on your non-crooked dentition.

Don’t Need to Live with Crooked Teeth

With all the potential health hazards of misaligned teeth, one shouldn’t tarry seeing a specialist for this condition. Here at Overlake Dental, our orthodontist can transform your mile with dental braces, if that is the best option for you. If braces upset you, you can opt for Invisalign, a six-month straightening technology offered only by certified specialist. To find out if you are an Invisalign candidate, drop by for a visit.