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Monthly Archives: February 2020
Braces for Adults
If you have long been facing a problem of crooked teeth, you should probably consider getting adult braces.
It is natural for people with misaligned teeth to consider options to correct or fix the problem. It is not just because straight teeth improve your appearance but have a plethora of other benefits such as oral hygiene. Although dentists recommend getting braces after age of seven, many adults are opting for teeth correction treatment for different purposes.
Thanks to the advanced technologies in the domain of dentistry, adult braces have become much more discreet and effective than ever before. However, determining the right type of braces may be overwhelming if you do not consult with professional orthodontics.
Whether you are considering getting braces for yourself or want orthodontic treatment for your teenager, the article includes all the necessary information to help you out.
How do Braces for Adults Work?
As mentioned earlier, dentistry has revolutionized in the past few decades, and orthodontics is no exception. Gone are the days when people used to have limited choices when it comes to perfecting smiles or bite.
Now there are plenty of braces types that dentists use in the field of modern orthodontics. People can choose from tooth-colored braces to invisible aligners to improve their smile without having to worry about their looks.
Interestingly, all types of braces work in different ways but have the same aim to correct the improper dental alignment. If you are an adult and have the problem of improper teeth alignment, your orthodontist can recommend your dental braces for the following reasons.
- You have a wide space or gap between teeth
- You have crowded and crooked teeth
- Teeth are protruding and need straightening
- You suffer from malocclusion (underbite or overbite), which means the upper and lower lines of your teeth do not meet.
- You have misaligned teeth (congenital disability such as cleft lip and cleft palate)
It is important to determine the root cause of your dental problem to get braces. Remember that if you do not get treatment on time, they may lead to:
- Difficulty in eating and cleaning teeth that may lead to further dental problems
- Increased risk of damage to prominent biting teeth
- Self-consciousness with teeth appearance
- Speech impairments
- Headaches and muscle strain
How Do Braces Help?
Wearing braces is the most effective way when it is about straightening misaligned teeth. Although the ideal age of getting braces is 10 to 15, they can still be effective after 20. That is why braces are becoming common among adults who are looking for a long-term solution to improve their aesthetic appearance and want to have a confident smile. A bulk of studies has shown that straight teeth lead to a high confidence level and better self-esteem.
It is important to maintain oral hygiene to keep your teeth in good condition. Your teeth need to be in good condition to withstand the pressure of braces. It is worth noting that if you have damaged teeth, suffer from any gum disease, or you already have had restorative work (implants or crowns), you will have limited choices for orthodontic treatment.
Regardless of what your reason is to get braces, they can be an ultimate solution to correct misaligned and malpositioned teeth, overbites, overcrowding to give you a beautiful smile.
Types of Braces for Adults
Aesthetics is one of the major considerations when it comes to choosing braces for adults. The following types of braces are some of the common options many adults prefer for their teeth alignment.
Aligners
Aligners are typically clear trays that dentists switch out after every two weeks to adjust the teeth movement. Patients have to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day and can remove for taking meals or brushing teeth. Invisalign is one of the most common brands of aligners.
Aligners comprise of composite material and are less noticeable. However, they are not invisible. They require proper cleaning and a timely changing schedule. Delays in switching out trays may lead to other problems.
Conventional Braces
There is a huge difference in the old type of braces and modern braces. Today, you do not need to band metal around your every single tooth. All it needs to hold to wires with a single bracket cemented on the front row of teeth. There are a few metal bands at the back of the teeth to anchor these wires.
The only drawback these braces have is that they are visible even if you choose the ceramic option.
Self-Ligating Braces
These braces pass the wires through a tiny metal clip. With self-ligating braces, you do not need elastic bands to move the teeth position.
Lingual Braces
It is another great option for adults who are looking for effective and invisible braces. Lingual braces are more like conventional braces. The only difference is that these braces are at the backside of teeth. The feature that makes lingual braces stand out among other types of braces is their virtual invisibility. They make the perfect choice for the people who are conscious about their looks and appearance.
No matter what type of braces you choose, you need a professional team of orthodontists to help you improve your smile. Manhattan Family Orthodontics, in this regard offers premium quality dental services to patients regardless of their age to enhance their looks.
To find more options to accomplish your smile goals, contact us at (212) 207-8028 or visit our website ManhattanFamilyOrthodontics.com.
Palate Expander – What It Is and How It Works
One of the key factors why many orthodontists recommend receiving orthodontic treatment at the young age is the natural growth process of tissues and muscles. When someone receives orthodontic treatment in childhood, he/she can take full advantage of growth process when it comes to treating and preventing malocclusions. This is where the role of a palatal expander comes into play. It is a device specifically designed to help people maximize the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
Let us delve into the details to find out what is palate expander and how does it work.
What is a Palate Expander?
Precisely, a palate expander breaks the upper mouth’s bone. No matter how scary does it sound, it is true. This reason is why orthodontists avoid elaborating people how palate expander works. An expander’s job is to separate the upper bone’s cartilage and the jawbone to increase the size of the mouth.
The palate is the roof of the mouth that can enlarge with the help of a palate expander. Orthodontists use palate expanders to help people in their natural growth of mouth and, most importantly to prevent any malocclusion.
Palate expanders work excellently when it is about creating more room in the mouth, especially in children. As mentioned earlier, it gradually expands the upper jaw by separating upper mouth’s bone. It may sound terrifying, but done through a gradual process that does not cause pain that makes it tolerable.
It is worth noting that your palate grows in two halves, and it does not fully fuse together until puberty. This makes it extremely beneficial for children who are in their pre-pubescent phase. Fixing a palate expander help children create sufficient space for their teeth growth. Simply put, this orthodontic device works great to widen the upper jaw.
A palate expander is commonly used in three situations where maxillary expansion is required;
Crowding is one of the most common oral problems many children face when their permanent teeth start coming in. Dental crowding in mouth causes teeth overlapping. In addition, in most of the cases, teeth do not fit within the jaws. The condition causes teeth displacement and rotation.
Luckily, professional dental care services such as Manhattan Family Orthodontist can determine the signs of dental crowding even before the permanent teeth of children come in. They know widening the jaw can help patients create sufficient space to prevent tooth extraction in the future.
Crossbite is the opposite of dental crowding. Crossbite is when upper jaw of a child is narrow to accommodate the lower jaw. In this condition, the back top teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Luckily, your dentist can fix this condition by using a palate expander.
Impacted Teeth happens when existing teeth block other teeth that have not erupted yet. Expanding the upper jaw is one way to allow teeth to erupt properly on their position. It usually occurs with eyeteeth or canines located under the eyes.
Palatal Expander – Is There Any Right Age For a Palatal Expander?
A palate expander is effective when used at a young age. Typically, pre-pubescent kids use the expander before sutures close or grow. However, the ideal age of getting palatal expander is 12 to 13 years, especially for girls and 13 to 14 years for boys. However, that does not mean that children older than 14 years old cannot use one. The older children can have palate expanders, but the device may reduce their effectiveness.
Remember that if crowded teeth, crossbite, or impacted teeth are not treated or corrected timely, it may lead to some severe dental issues.
How Does a Palate Expander Work?
As mentioned previously, the palate is a bony structure and makes the roof of your mouth. There is a joint in the middle of the palate that divides into halves. This joint has to fuse during the fetal developmental phase of a child. If this joint does not fuse during this phase, it may cause cleft palate. Remember that full fusion of this joint does not occur until a child enters a puberty age.
Palate expander works like a car jacket that applies pressures to different parts of the vehicle. The orthodontic device also applies pressure to both the halves of the mouth by pushing the sides slowly to separate them. If it moves slowly, the upper jaw or palate gets wider while joints remain intake. New connective bone and tissues hold the palate sides firmly in the new positions.
After placing palate expander, the patient can gradually widen the device by tightening its central screw over a specific period of time. When they slowly push the teeth sideways, it widens the palate.
There is no denying that widening the palate has many benefits. Opting for reliable dental care services like Manhattan Family Orthodontics can help you maximize these benefits. The dental care services help you broaden your smile and reduce the risk of tooth extraction in future. Palate expanders are undeniably an excellent orthodontic device that not only creates space in mouth but also help in breathing.
If you are considering having this orthodontic treatment for your child, contact Manhattan Family Orthodontic at (646) 760-8028 to find out about the more options. You can also visit our website ManhattanFamilyOrthodontics.com to get orthodontic treatments.