Nice, straight teeth and aligned jaws create lovely smiles. But dental problems do not just affect a person’s appearance but can cause personal insecurities and low self-esteem. What is worse, it can affect how the person eats and speaks. Severely misaligned jawbones can cause snoring, sleep apnea and other breathing difficulties.
An orthodontist will be able to correct the positions of teeth and bring the bite into closer alignment. An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed college, four years of dental school as well as two or three residency programs that specialize in orthodonture.
It is estimated that 70 percent of children in the country suffer from malocclusions or faulty alignments. These include cross bites, open bites, over and under bites and other issues. Babies can be born with cleft lips or cleft palates. Orthodontists are trained to correct these issues. Left untreated these conditions can lead to other issues like TMJ, speech problems and eating difficulties.
Frequently braces can drastically improve the patient’s appearance. In some cases, surgery is required to solve the situation.
The Ottawa orthodontist will use x-rays to diagnose the irregularities. Based on the type and degree of problems, he or she will prescribe braces, retainers or other special devices to realign existing teeth and to guide incoming teeth into proper placement. In severe cases, jaws are broken and wires inserted to keep the bones in proper alignment and to speed healing.
Ideally, children should be seen by an Ottawa orthodontist early. If there is a family history of crooked teeth, this should occur by age 7. By acting this early in the child’s life, the orthodontist can take advantage of the still-forming bone structure and eruption of permanent teeth. It also means that future corrections can be completed more smoothly and quickly.
If you are experiencing problems or have questions, contact Wellington Village Orthodontics to arrange for a consultation.
