Why and When You May Need Orthodontists

One of the first speciality created in the field of dentistry was the study of orthodontia. Dentists who are en-route towards specialising in this field require an additional two to four-year period of full-time post-graduate study upon graduation in dentistry. Orthodontic dentists specialise in preventing, correcting and diagnosing the malposition of the jaws and teeth. So, if you need to get your teeth fixed with braces, you will need to visit an orthodontist.

When should you visit an orthodontist?

These professionals are heavily involved in the dental care of young ones. Kids should make a visit to the orthodontist's office before the age of 7. It helps the orthodontists in spotting potential problems early on and determining the correct suitable time to treat a potential problem beforehand. Orthodontists work best with children who are 7 and under because the jaws of the children are still in the developmental phase. However, these medically trained professionals also treat adults and people in their 60s and 70s.

Why should you see an orthodontist?

One of the major reasons people visit an orthodontist is to straighten their teeth. It is important to get your teeth straightened because crooked or crowded teeth can lead to gum diseases, tooth decay and tooth loss. Cleaning overlapping teeth can also be extremely difficult. Overlapping teeth is usually caused by problems in jaw growth and tooth development; thumb sucking, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents and tooth decay can play an atrocious role in hampering jaw growth and tooth development. During other times, the problems can simply be genetic or hereditary in nature. Overbites and underbites can also occur if your teeth don't fit together. In time, those situations can make it difficult for you to masticate and talk.

Some of the problems handled by orthodontists;

  • Crossbite: When one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, it is known as a crossbite.
  • Breathing or swallowing problems: Orthodontists also find solutions to mouth breathing problems that can, in turn, cause sleep apnoea and snoring.
  • Spacing between teeth: Some teeth may be too small and some may be too large. Regardless, they inevitably create an ugly space between the teeth. Orthodontists can find remedies to those problems and can also assist in helping you replace your missing teeth.
  • Overjet: Orthodontists also look after upper teeth that protrude beyond normal and get them back into place.
  • Speech, chewing and biting problems: Many people face speech, masticating and biting problems because of improper jaw alignment and occlusion. Orthodontists can assist in correcting those problems.

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