ORTHODONTICS

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Orthodontics is a dental specialty recognized for restoring function and a pleasing appearance to a patient’s teeth. An orthodontist focuses on correcting the positioning of a patient’s teeth and jaws using a variety of appliances including braces and retainers. These procedures usually take many months or years to complete. Such procedures are usually reserved for patients who are able to commit to long term treatment.

 

What Problems Can an Orthodontist Fix?

An orthodontist can provide treatments to correct:

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• Teeth that are crooked (rotated inward or outward)

• Teeth that are crowded or overlapping

• Small or large gaps between teeth (the may include gaps caused by missing teeth in some cases)

• Midline misalignment (if the line separating your two top incisors doesn’t line up with the line separating your two lower incisors)

• Bite problems such as over bite, under bite, cross bite, or gaps between the chewing surfaces of the molars (open bite)

 

INVISALIGN

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 These “braces” are actually clear plastic aligner trays that offer a more aesthetic solution for orthodontic treatment than traditional braces. They are typically more comfortable than metal orthodontic devices since they do not have any protruding parts that can irritate the soft tissues in the mouth.

 

Unlike basic orthodontic aligners that don’t provide precise control over tooth movement, Invisalign can deliver very accurate correction over time. The transparent plastic trays may be seen in the mouth upon close inspection, but they are not noticeable at all from a distance. Consistent use delivers best results; but these trays are removed for activities such as eating and oral care.

 

What Can Invisalign Fix?

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Crooked, improperly spaced, and overlapping or crowded teeth can all be treated with Invisalign. Cross bite, overbite, and underbite problems may also be treated with these braces. As the manufacturer continues to make design improvements, orthodontists are using them to treat more and more severe orthodontic misalignment problems.

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