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An Overview of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment as we know it has been around for decades. However, it doesn’t hurt to refresh some of that knowledge if you are still deciding whether you should get treatment.

We wanted to provide our readers with an overview of what the treatment entails and why you should consider getting it. We will be updating this guide in the future, so bookmark it to keep learning more about the amazing world of orthodontics.

What Is Orthodontia?

Don’t worry; it’s not a typo. Orthodontia is just a synonym of Orthodontics. A patient might require orthodontic treatment to straighten or move their teeth into the correct position. As a branch of general dentistry, orthodontics diagnoses, prevents, intercepts, and corrects irregularities with a patient’s bite and teeth position.

Through orthodontics, a specialist helps your long-term dental health by repositioning your dental structures through various means. You might be familiar with the use of dental braces and other orthodontic appliances to move a patient’s teeth.

You can also consider this specialized treatment as a way to help your gums and jaw joints because when an orthodontist realigns your dental structures, they also help evenly spread out the biting pressure over all your teeth.

Even if some orthodontic treatments can serve cosmetic purposes to improve anyone’s appearance, our primary focus is to improve oral function and dental health.

The only dental health professionals certified to provide you with this type of treatment are orthodontists, who undergo additional training to specialize in the correct positioning of a person’s teeth and jaws. Our in-house specialist, Dr. John A. Pavlo, is an orthodontist who loves his job.

Why Would You Need Orthodontic Treatment?

There are many reasons why you might benefit from engaging in some level of orthodontic treatment. Many individuals develop speech disorders as a consequence of malaligned teeth and jaws. Not to mention that if you have frontal teeth “sticking out,” you could be at an increased risk of suffering trauma during any accident.

Some patients should consider that malaligned dental structures may contribute to their breathing difficulties. Repositioning a patient’s upper and lower jaws can help in this scenario, making the treatment highly beneficial to several patients.

Other people have to deal with crowded or crooked teeth for most of their lives before considering getting orthodontic treatment. Moving your teeth to a better position will help, not only with your appearance but also with your dental hygiene. Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean, lowering your risk of developing cavities, infections, and losing teeth.

Correcting a patient’s bite can also help relieve the strain on your jaw muscles, help with joint problems such as TMD, and sometimes help with chronic headaches.

Some General Considerations to Keep in Mind

Is There a Right Age to Start Treatment?

Good question! Patients of all ages can choose to start their orthodontic treatment at various stages of their life. We would recommend that the sooner you begin your treatment, the better; still, we know this is not always possible.

Young teens can start their journey towards a perfect smile with fewer complications than adults. Adults might finally be ready to engage with orthodontic treatment because they wanted to improve their professional image or prevent tooth decay during their adult life. Whatever your reasons, we will be glad to join you in the quest for a well-aligned and healthy smile.

The American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends you bring your kid for an orthodontic examination by age 7 to ensure their normal dental development. Likewise, considering that kids’ dental structures are still developing, it is easier to guide them at this stage to either correct or prevent severe orthodontic problems.

A case for orthodontic treatment during adulthood is that compliance is not usually a problem. Adults are more responsible when an orthodontist gives them specific recommendations about their appliances and limitations during treatment. So, good adherence to your orthodontist’s recommendations ensures the treatment’s effectiveness.

Other Considerations

You might also want to think about the length of treatment before you commit to using orthodontic appliances. Many individuals are afraid they will have to use braces for too long, but the sooner you make up your mind about treatment, the sooner you will be done with it.

Parents and other adults will also be interested in knowing the treatment’s cost. Every patient’s case is different, but you can feel confident that we will give you all the information you need to estimate if this treatment is affordable to you or not.

We also hope to guide you through what to expect, avoid, and prioritize at various stages of your treatment, so keep an eye out for future blog posts on the matter.

Making the Decision

Now that you know a lot more about the basics of orthodontic treatment, why not consult with a professional about what works best for your case?

Peabody orthodontist Dr. Pavlo has a long record of helping patients from around the city. If you are here in Newburyport, make sure to give us a phone call or set your next appointment online. Follow this link to get some directions to our practice and start the journey towards the best possible version of your smile!