Many people don’t know what the difference between orthodontics and dentistry is, and why would you? Well, if you’re looking for Orthodontics near me in Brigham City, Utah, then you have come to the right place, and we can also teach you about exactly what we do.
What Is Orthodontics?
If you have crooked teeth or teeth that don’t fit together as they should do, then you may need orthodontics, which is a branch of dentistry that specializes in these types of problems. Orthodontists receive two or more years of education after dental school, and your dentist will let you know if you need orthodontic treatment in Brigham City, Utah, and then can decide the right treatment plan for you.
It Isn’t Just About How Your Teeth Look
Having crooked teeth isn’t just about how they look – which may leave you to feel self-conscious about your appearance. But having teeth that do not fit together well is harder to keep clean and are therefore at risk of being lost early because of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Having issues like this in your mouth can also cause extra stress on your chewing muscles, which can then lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome, and neck, shoulder, and back pain. So, it is essential to get these issues fixed so that you have a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
What Other Problems You Might Have
If you live in Brigham City, Utah, or near and you have an overbite, which is where the upper front teeth stick out over the lower teeth, then you should come and see us. Or you may have an underbite where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back, or perhaps you have a crossbite, which is when the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally, or an open bite which is when you have space between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth when the back teeth bite together, or if you have gaps, or spaces, between the teeth or you have too many teeth then you may be recommended for orthodontics.
What Treatments Are There?
The most common of orthodontic treatments that we use in Brigham City, Utah, are braces, which consist of bands, wires, or brackets. Braces are usually adjusted once a month, so you’ll have them for a few months up to a few years until you get the results you’re looking for. While you might have a bad impression of braces from nineties movies, today they are small, they are light, and they show far less metal than they used to. They also come in bright colors that kids love, or there are clear options that many adults prefer. There are other treatments, including aligners, which are an alternative to traditional braces for adults and are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. Or there are removable space maintainers or jaw repositioning appliances.