Orthodontists are dental specialists who work to prevent, diagnose, intercept, and correct malocclusion (bad bites) as well as skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities of developing or mature orofacial structures (the teeth and jaws). Orthodontic care is available for patients of all ages. However, treatment is easier to provide at a younger age, as an orthodontist can take advantage of bones that are still growing to easily manipulate the teeth and jaws into healthy positions.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw, especially in the alignment of the bite and jaws. Orthodontic treatments typically focus on correcting the following types of problems:
- Misaligned teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Gapped and spaced teeth
- Bad bites (malocclusion) – overbites, underbites, open bites, crossbites, etc.
Orthodontic treatment is beneficial to both your smile and overall oral health and function. When your teeth are correctly aligned, it is easier to keep them clean and healthy, and you have a much lower risk of developing dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. It is also easier to chew, eat, and speak properly. Advances in modern dentistry have made orthodontic treatment faster, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before, providing you with many different options for your treatment.
