Orthodontics

Orthodontic Treatment for a Healthy, Beautiful Smile

Crooked teeth and bite problems are often solved with orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, even when teeth look straight, the upper and lower teeth may not fit together well causing a bite problem. Braces/Clear Aligners are the most common way to correct crooked teeth and bite problems. Orthodontic treatment can lead to a healthy, beautiful smile, regardless of a patient's age. Orthodontic treatment takes time and patience, but the end result is worth it.

Problems with Crooked Teeth

There are different causes of a bad bite, also called a malocclusion (mal-oh-CLUE-shun). Sometimes a bad bite happens naturally. Thumb-sucking, losing teeth too early, or accidents also can cause a bad bite.

If a bad bite is not treated, it may cause problems:

Baby Tooth (Primary)

It's normal for children to lose baby teeth, but an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent tooth underneath.

Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to keep clean. This may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
When teeth are in the wrong place, they may keep the jaws from developing properly. An uneven bite may make biting, chewing and speaking harder, cause excessive wear on tooth enamel, and lead to jaw problems.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

There are different types of orthodontic treatment that can be used to correct a bad bite. All use constant but gentle pressure to move teeth and align jaws. Here at Hudsonville Family Dentistry, we utilize the Invisalign system of clear aligners for orthodontia.

Aligners

Aligners (ah-LINE-ers) are made of clear plastic or acrylic and are worn over your teeth, placing gentle pressure on them to straighten them. Each set of custom-made aligners is worn for a few weeks. Then you get a new set to advance your treatment. This way, your teeth are slowly moved into the correct positions. Aligners are available for teens and adults.

Aligners are removable and need to be taken out before you eat, brush, and floss. Be sure to follow your instructions on how long to wear them each day.

Orthodontic Treatment for Children

When a child is about 7, he or she should have their teeth checked to see how they work together. If the child's teeth or bite need treatment, it may be advantageous to get an early start. Treatment that begins while a child is growing may deliver results that cannot be achieved once the patient is done growing. Most treatment begins when patients are between 9 and 14.

The type of treatment recommended will be based on the patient's orthodontic problem, treatment needs, and desired results. Patients will receive instructions on keeping their teeth, gums and "appliance" (the formal name for braces and other devices that move teeth and align jaws) clean throughout treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment for Adults

No matter your age, it's never too late to improve your dental health and beautify your smile. Many adults seek treatment to correct long-time problems or to correct changes that happened over time. Sometimes an adult's treatment takes a little longer than a child's treatment.

Do's and Don'ts

Do:

Keep your teeth clean when in orthodontic treatment. Brushing and flossing remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed regularly it could lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
Go to all of your orthodontic appointments. If you delay any adjustments, your treatment may take longer.
Visit your dentist for cleanings and exams. It is harder to keep teeth clean if you have braces. So having regular cleanings at your dentist's office is important. Your dentist will also check for tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of minerals in the enamel (called demineralization).