Orthodontic treatment is used to retrain muscles, move teeth, and affect jaw growth by gently applying pressure on the teeth and jaw. They provide patients with incredible results in terms of cosmetic improvements and oral health. If you feel that you would benefit from orthodontic treatment, speak with our doctors who can evaluate your bite and teeth to see if you would benefit from the procedure.
Are You a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?
Your physician or dentist can tell if you need an appointment with a qualified orthodontist. They will conduct various tests to decide if you need orthodontic treatment.
These tests will study your medical health history, clinical examinations, dental health reports, and the plaster model of your teeth.
If your photographs and x-rays, along with a range of other tests, determine a tooth misalignment, you may be asked to see an orthodontic specialist.
You may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment if you have:
| • | An overbite; this is where the upper teeth are placed too far over the lower teeth. They may also protrude out, which may affect the patient’s perception of their image. |
| • | An underbite: this is when the lower teeth are set in front of the upper teeth. |
| • | An open bite: this happens when the back teeth come together, but the front teeth do not meet and overlap as they should. |
| • | A crossbite: this occurs when the teeth are angled toward the tongue instead of being placed straight up and down. |
| • | Spacing: there should be no gaps between the teeth. They should touch without crowding. |
| • | Misplaced midline: this is when the lower two front teeth and upper two front teeth are not aligned with each other. |
Preventive Orthodontics
Preventive orthodontics are used when the patient must prepare the mouth for the permanent teeth to erupt. Candidates are usually young children who are about to grow permanent teeth in their mouths.
It is not uncommon for baby teeth to prevent the permanent teeth from emerging. They have to be removed to facilitate easy and straight permanent teeth eruption. This is usually a last resort because most orthodontic procedures use expanders to increase the length of the dental arch, allowing more room for the permanent teeth to emerge.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Interceptive orthodontics are also performed on younger patients. Its goal is to take care of dental issues at an early stage before they can become more serious.
Interceptive orthodontics are often required when the child’s jaw is relatively small and may not provide enough space for new teeth to emerge. In such cases, our orthodontic surgeon may use a palate expander device to increase the size of the jaw and provide enough room for the emerging teeth.
Removable Braces
Removable braces are made using transparent, hard plastic that covers the entire teeth on the upper and lower arch. Braces work by applying pressure on the teeth and moving them in the desired direction. Most patients get their braces at a young age. However, adults have been known to get braces too.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a faster, more efficient alternative to braces. Patients love discretion with the nearly invisible option of straightening out their teeth. The best part about Invisalign is that treatment times are much faster than braces, with visible results in as little as two to three months.
This doesn't mean that Invisalign is a pain-free process. Patients may experience a small degree of discomfort and even pain. The level of discomfort varies by person, age, and their pain tolerance.
At Metropolitan Dental Specialty Group, we custom design all clear aligners for your mouth. This is done by scanning the mouth using a state-of-the-art scanner. The lab creates a series of aligners that have to be changed every two weeks. Follow your dentist’s instructions for specific guidelines.
Treatment Timeline
Patients often wonder how long it will take for their teeth to be straightened out. There is no cut and dry answer to this question. Treatment time will vary with each patient and may take as long as three years, depending on various factors such as age, treatment method, and the severity of the orthodontic problem.
The patient also plays a major role in the success of their treatment. The treatment will succeed if they take good care of their teeth according to their dentist’s recommendations.
Before starting your orthodontic treatment, your doctor will go over your options and provide an estimate for how long your treatment will take. Our dentists aim to create a friendly and relaxed practice at Metropolitan Dental Specialty Group to make your time enjoyable and informative.
Retainers
We may also recommend retainers as the final step involved in jaw alignment. Most retainers are removable, but some may be fixed. Just like Invisalign, retainers are also custom designed based on the patient’s teeth and jaw structure. These retainers are unique to the patient’s mouth. They are used regularly to ensure the maximum benefit of orthodontic treatment.
When Will You Start Seeing Results?
Orthodontic appliances are designed to apply constant pressure to the teeth. However, your teeth will not move every day. You may notice your teeth are sore for a few days after the start of treatment. This is common and will occur for a few days.
It is not recommended to move the teeth too fast. The process is too painful and can also damage the roots of the teeth and the surrounding bones. Our teeth need time to move into the desired position, and for the bone to either make a new bone or reabsorb, depending on the direction that the teeth are moving. This process does not occur overnight.
Every person's orthodontic case is different. Some people may only require a few minor changes over the course of six months. Others may have to wear their orthodontic appliance for a period of three years.
Call to Schedule Your Orthodontic Treatment Today
You can ensure that your orthodontic treatment time is as short as possible by following your orthodontist’s instructions. Call us today at (301) 585-0400 and place your appointment for a consultation with our friendly orthodontists.