Top Five Most Prevalent Orthodontic Questions Answered

Orthodontics can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations before becoming more mainstream thanks to a Frenchman named Pierre Fauchard in the 1700s. Fortunately for all modern patients, there has been a continual evolution from the bygone days. Still, the science of orthodontistry remains a mystery to many people, particularly since there are so many advancements. 

Here are the top 5 questions first time orthodontic patients often ask:

1. What is orthodontic treatment and how does it work?

Orthodontic treatment helps remedy dental irregularities like crowded or misaligned teeth or issues that have been caused by injuries, the improper position of jaw bones or teeth, and accidents.

Malocclusion is the technical umbrella term for all of these issues including crooked and crowded teeth, teeth with large gaps between them, or impacted teeth.

Orthodontic treatment helps straighten your teeth and resolve those issues. Treatment may include a few different methods including traditional metal braces, retainers, clear (ceramic) braces, or clear aligners.

2. Why would orthodontic treatment be for me?

Orthodontic treatment can positively impact long term oral health as well as improve your bite and smile for the rest of your life.

A do-nothing approach can result in headaches and pain from a misaligned jaw. Crooked or crowded teeth can prove more difficult to clean, which can result in poor dental hygiene. 

In addition to health concerns, some people are worried about their appearance. Remedying crooked, crowded or gapped teeth makes smiles more symmetrical.

3. Which orthodontic treatment is the fastest?

In short, orthodontic treatment requires an investment of time and money in order to achieve one’s goals.

It is important to protect your oral health and investment by taking care of your teeth. Oral hygiene is important anyway, but particularly so when teeth are undergoing changes in alignment. Try to prevent yourself from grinding or biting down hard, because this can cause pressure and unnecessary wear and tear.

Attending scheduled appointments is paramount to ensuring the treatment is proceeding as planned and without obstacles. Follow your dentist’s instructions and treatment plan, from how often to brush and floss, to what you should and should not eat, and how much you are to wear your appliance.

4. Which orthodontic treatment is the best for me?

Orthodontic treatment is tailored and customized to the person. The orthodontic treatment that will work the best for you will entirely depend on factors like your current oral health, the severity of your malocclusion and the extent of previous dental work you have already had done. Some people require braces while others just need clear aligners. Personal preference and budget can impact those choices and your orthodontist can walk through the pros and cons of the decision with you.

5. Is there a perfect age for treatment?

Typically, the earlier you start, the easier and more efficient it will be. While not long ago, traditional orthodontic treatment began between the ages of 12 and 14, orthodontic professionals now recognize that starting treatment even earlier can prove incredibly beneficial to their patients.

This early intervention for positive dental health occurs between 7–11 years old and is called interceptive treatment.

Many adults opt for orthodontic treatment and people are good candidates as long as their teeth are generally healthy. Adults should realize that treatment does tend to take longer for them than it does for children.