Due to rapidly advancing technology in the orthodontic field, your Edmonton orthodontist is now able to perform a broad array of procedures for the correction of adult malocclusions. In the past, such orthodontic issues could only be prevented, but doctors are getting better and better at correcting them after they have developed. As a result, adult orthodontic treatment is growing in popularity. Because this field is new in a lot of ways, it’s normal to have questions. While your Edmonton orthodontist should be a great source for answers, this basic information will give you a head start.
Why do people seek orthodontic treatment?
Everyone has malocclusions of one form or another, so these issues are not always detrimental to one’s looks. Even so, appearance is the most common reason why adults seek treatment for orthodontic issues. When a person has a misaligned bite, spaces between teeth, crookedness, or an unusual jaw shape, chances are that an Edmonton orthodontist can help with this issue.
However, looks aside, there are plenty of other good reasons for adults to have orthodontic treatment. For instance, when you have a misaligned jaw, it makes your chewing less effective, which can have negative effects on the digestion. Meanwhile, orthodontic problems can also lead to tooth and gum disease, as well as jaw pain. Your Edmonton orthodontist can help you with all of these issues.
Are there any roadblocks to adult orthodontic treatments?
There’s a good reason why the vast majority of orthodontic procedures are still performed on children. It’s due to the simple fact that kids’ jaws are still developing, so that orthodontists can use that natural development to gently and gradually guide a child’s jaw into a healthier alignment. When it comes to adults, there’s an obvious contrast. Adult jaws have already taken on their final form, which means that realignments must be done with a greater amount of force, sometimes over a longer period of time.
There are rare cases in which orthodontic treatment cannot help. For instance, when teeth have been broken or severely worn down, or if a jaw is misaligned due to broader features of the skull or spine, there is probably little that an Edmonton orthodontist can do. Meanwhile, there are other cases in which the patient may need extensive dental treatment before any orthodontic procedure can be performed.
What types of malocclusions can be treated?
For many types of malocclusions, your Edmonton orthodontist will use a combination of treatment methods, including extraction, replacement crowns, retainers, braces, tooth spacers, and implements to spread the upper or lower jaw. For more complicated types of surgeries, your doctor may refer you to other types of dental practitioners—such as prosthodontists or periodontists—for parts of the process.
The malocclusions that can be treated by orthodontists include spaces between teeth, overbite, underbite, tooth crowding, jaw protrusion, or any other type of common misalignment.
What can orthodontists do for painful jaws?
Some children who don’t get orthodontic care develop jaw pain later in life. In cases of mild pain, a simple nightguard can be used to keep the patient from grinding teeth or clenching during sleep. In more severe cases of jaw pain, surgery may be used to correct the jaw mechanics.
