Braces are a common orthodontic treatment. They are a great way to treat many problems with tooth alignment and fixing your bite. Here are a few conditions Dr. Angela offers clear braces for as part of a treatment regimen:
What are Clear Braces?
At Palm Beach Orthodontics, Dr. Angela offers clear braces as a lower-profile alternative to metal braces. They are made from ceramic materials that are clear to match your teeth. This makes them a good choice for patients who are concerned about wearing metal braces.
What Orthodontic Issues Do Clear Braces Treat?
Clear braces are commonly used as part of a treatment plan for malocclusion. Malocclusion is a category of orthodontic issues often characterized as crooked teeth and a misligned bite. There are several reasons your teeth may not line up correctly, but here are five of the most common types:
Crowding
Tooth crowding occurs when teeth are too close together. It is a common condition with many causes. One of the leading causes is heredity. Children are more likely to develop overcrowded teeth if their parents have them. Thumb-sucking in early childhood also causes teeth to misalign.
Treating crowded teeth improves the aesthetic appeal of your smile, but proper dental hygiene is also more difficult, leading to complications like tooth decay and gum disease.
Spacing
Spacing is the opposite of tooth crowding. This sometimes happens when the teeth are too small compared to the jaw. Missing teeth and overgrown gum tissue also cause spacing issues.
If left untreated, gaps between teeth may lead to further complications. The extra space allows your teeth to shift further out of alignment. Gaps also lead to problems with chewing your food. Spacing problems may also make you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay, as well as hitting your teeth unnaturally while biting down or chewing food.
Overbite
Overbite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth more than they should. Genetics is one major cause of overbite. Habitually biting your nails or grinding your teeth also leads to overbite. Extended pacifier use is another scenario that leads to an overbite or a tongue thrust. An overbite, untreated, can lead to surgery in the future, when the patient is older.
Untreated cases of overbite may lead to complications like jaw pain and stiffness. Patients with overbite might experience headaches and earaches. Some patients also have difficulty chewing. Other common dental complications also result from overbite, including tooth decay and gum disease.
Underbite
Underbite occurs when the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth when the jaw is closed. This happens when the jaw is misaligned. One major cause of underbite is heredity. Injuries to the jaw have also been known to cause underbite. Bad habits in childhood are also a contributing factor. An underbite, untreated, can lead to surgery in the future, when the patient is older.
One of the major complications caused by underbite is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD affects the joint that connects your jaw to your skull and can cause stiffness and painful popping in the joint. Underbite can also harbor bacterial growth in the mouth, leading to bad breath. Underbite can also cause sleep disorders. Heavy snoring and sleep apnea are common examples.
Crossbite
Crossbite is a common dental problem in which teeth don’t align correctly when the mouth is closed. It can affect a single tooth or a group of teeth. Bad habits in childhood can cause crossbites, but problems with bone structure and tooth development are also common causes. Missing or baby teeth that don’t fall out can also lead to crossbite. Genetics is one major cause of a crossbite.
If left untreated, a crossbite can lead to other problems, like uneven tooth wear, uneven jaw growth, jaw shifts, pain, and unbalanced facial features. Patients can also have difficulty keeping their teeth clean.
Options To Look at Before Choosing Clear Braces
Braces correct orthodontic issues using brackets to engage a wire to your teeth. The wire applies gentle pressure to your teeth to gradually realign them over time. This provides safe and proven treatment for misaligned teeth.
The core feature of clear braces is the brackets used. These brackets can be made of many different materials, but Dr. Angela uses high-quality ceramic brackets that do not stain. These brackets blend in with your teeth and don’t stain over time, making your orthodontic treatment less noticeable.
Clear braces are less noticeable and more comfortable to wear. Dr. Angela’s ceramic brackets are lower-profile than traditional brackets and made from smoother materials. These innovations reduce the chances of abrasions and discomfort.
The smoother surfaces also simplify dental hygiene with clear braces. Their low profile design makes it easier to brush and floss your teeth normally during treatment, making clear braces a more comfortable treatment than other solutions.
Clear Braces at Palm Beach Orthodontics
At Palm Beach Orthodontics, we want to give you the best smile possible. We use 3D imaging technology to create a detailed treatment plan for of your teeth and then use that to create the best plan for you. If you or someone you love is in need of orthodontic treatment in Palm Beach County, schedule a consultation with Dr. Angela today.