Reasons for having Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment can be a great idea not only for a better smile but in many case it can give real current and future health benefits

Reasons for orthodontic treatment

  • Self-image – An attractive smile can boost a person’s self-image and confidence,  improve popularity, and improve career prospects
  • Breathing or swallowing problems – Mouth breathing can lead to snoring and sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea increases the risks of heart attack, stroke and cancer
  • Crossbite – One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (towards the tongue), which restricts normal facial growth and development
  • Crowding – Involving extra teeth or malpositioned teeth.
  • Deep Overbite – The lower front teeth can bite into the upper gum tissue, or can drive the lower jaw back and up towards the ear - this can contribute to TMJ pain and headaches in later life
  • Jaw & jaw joint pain 
  • Missing  teeth – Due to tooth decay, injuries, or missing genetically
  • Overjet (protruding upper teeth) – Upper teeth that protrude beyond normal and are usually associated with a short lower jaw.
  • Underbite (lower jaw protrusion) – Lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. Usually this is a result of the upper jaw being too small or too far back in the face.
  • Spacing between teeth – Teeth are missing or may be too small or too large.
  • Symmetry - Dental and facial symmetry is a key to facial beauty
  • Speech, chewing or biting problems

 

The Benefits of treatment for young children

Early dental and orthodontic / orthopaedic intervention can greatly reduce or eliminate the need for treatment later. The earlier a child has a nice, confidence-building smile the better. An early orthodontic consultation can also anticipate if any problems such as missing teeth or poor facial development will require treatment now or in the future. If bad habits like thumb-sucking, mouth-breathing, poor swallowing, poor cleaning and soft diet are corrected early, it minimises any damage, which sometimes would require surgery to repair as an adult. This treatment can start well before any permanent teeth have come through e.g. age 4,  and will usually work more quickly and with better patient co-operation.

 

Can adults benefit from orthodontic correction ?

Absolutely!  Crooked or misaligned teeth look unsightly, which in many cases leads to poor self esteem and a lack of self confidence.  Aside from poor aesthetics, improperly aligned teeth can also cause difficulties cleaning teeth properly, biting, chewing and speaking clearly. Chronic Headaches may be cured and healthier airways and TMJ's are major benefits of treatment.   Today there are many new techniques available that can make Adult (or child) orthodontic treatment much quicker, more comfortable and even invisible

 

Straight teeth offer many benefits including:

  • Reduction in general tooth decay - from being easier to clean
  • Decreased likelihood of developing periodontal (Gum) disease - which is the major cause of tooth loss in adults and has been linked to heart disease and Alzheimer's disease as well as bad breath
  • Decreased likelihood of tooth injury - especially when front teeth are protruding
  • Reduction in digestive disorders - having a better bite and effective chewing

 

A well-developed face means :

    *  A healthier airway which means less chance of Snoring and Sleep Apnoea - which effectively means a healthier, more athletic and longer life

    *  A better looking better balanced face - less likely to develop headaches later in life

    *  More space to fit your teeth in evenly