Different people consult orthodontists for various reasons. Some of the top reasons you should visit an orthodontist are highlighted below.
Timely Screening
With dental problems, prevention is always better compared to treating. There are various transitional stages between when the primary teeth erupt until when the permanent teeth replace them. Visiting an orthodontist regularly during the mixed dentition period will allow for monitoring the growth and development of teeth. In the case that a problem is discovered, timely treatment will yield better results and in most cases, eliminate the need for teeth extractions.
To Correct Abnormal Bite
For a healthy bite, the upper teeth should overlap the lower teeth by approximately one to two millimeters. When the overlap is more than two millimeters or the lower teeth overlaps the upper teeth, the patient is considered to have an abnormal bite. This not only causes an improper bite but can lead to various other dental problems as well. In such a case, you should visit an orthodontist to correct the bite.
To Adjust Crowding or Spacing
There are people whose teeth are unevenly spaced or are crowded too close together. Crowded teeth, in particular, make it challenging to take care of the teeth. Flossing, for example, may not be possible as there is no enough space between teeth for flossing. Unevenly spaced teeth can result in gum problems. An orthodontist can correct the problem using a suitable procedure. The result will be a more pleasing smile for you.
To Correct Protruding Teeth
With early orthodontic treatment, you can avoid having protruded teeth. This means that younger patients can benefit the most from the orthodontic treatments. However, protruding teeth can be corrected even for adults. The duration for wearing braces may be a bit longer for adults compared to young patients.
To Expand the Palate
Fixing the palate is another vital service younger patients get from orthodontists. A palatal expander is used to expand the roof of the mouth in a slow process. This allows the mouth to grow outwards. A benefit for this is that teeth will grow without overcrowding. The results of this process are long lasting, which means that the patient will have a beautiful smile for as long as he maintains good oral hygiene.