My Dentist San Francisco Orthodontics
Orthodontic Treatment
Straight teeth and well-positioned jaws are essential for a happy, healthy smile. Many people who have a gapped smile, overcrowded teeth, or teeth that have slid out of place as a result of tooth extractions, dangerous oral habits, and irregular bite patterns, need orthodontic treatment. In certain circumstances, orthodontic therapy goes beyond correcting the position of the teeth. If the upper and lower jaws don't line up properly, orthodontic treatment can help fix both their looks as well as their function.
Orthodontic therapy makes use of custom-made appliances to gradually shift teeth into their right positions. In the past, metal braces were the only treatment option available to patients; today, there are a variety of options. Because of developments in technology and healthcare breakthroughs, a broader range of treatment options is now available.
Orthodontic appliances now are far less noticeable, far less bulky, and far more comfortable than they were in the past. They are also much easier to clean and less painful.
According to the nature of one's situation, orthodontic treatment and its duration might differ from patient to patient. Orthodontic therapy can range from a simple shift in a single tooth to a complete realignment of the bite. Repairs that are simple can be done in a few months, but more complex ones may take a long time to do.
At My Dentist San Francisco, we are experts in both oral health and the aesthetics of a stunning smile. We love what we do and are committed to helping each one of our patients achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. For adults and children alike, we provide a wide range of dental services that can help them achieve their ideal smile.
The Value of a Properly Aligned Smile
A straight smile is more than just a thing of beauty. The health of your mouth, jaw, and overall well-being can all be improved by having teeth that are properly aligned. A misaligned or crooked smile can lead to problems with speech and self-confidence because of the appearance of a misaligned or crooked mouth.
Here are a few reasons why having a straight grin is more than simply a plus for your appearance:
- Teeth that are straight are easier to brush and floss. In a nutshell, it makes brushing and flossing your teeth simpler. In terms of tooth decay and periodontal disease, you're at a reduced risk since there are fewer places for food to get stuck.
- The lips and soft tissues around the mouth protect teeth that meet appropriately and are not crowded, jut out or protrude. They are less likely to get hurt, like being knocked out or breaking bones, because of trauma.
- Straight teeth make it easy to eat, speak, and brush. As a result, you won't have any problems when you eat, chew, or speak because of this.
- Reduced strain on the teeth is a benefit of properly aligned teeth and jaws. Uneven and excessive wear can occur when teeth don't align or connect properly.
- TMJ health and function are supported by a proper bite. Your dental health and comfort might be negatively impacted by a poor occlusion. It is common for TMJ issues to cause a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, jaw discomfort, inability to open and close your mouth, and other sorts of head and neck pain.
- Because good dental health and general health are linked, having a well-aligned smile is important for good health.
Are There Braces That Fits Your Smile?
Integrated dental treatment is available at My Dentist San Francisco, where we assist children and adults to achieve beautiful and healthy smiles. When you come in for your dental checkup or consultation, we will look at the look, health, and function of your smile. We will tell you if orthodontic treatment is right for your smile.
As your child's smile changes, we'll let you know when it's time to bring him or her in for an orthodontic consultation and treatment. We keep a close eye on your child's smile as they develop, from the eruption of the baby teeth, jaw growth, and oral habits, through the loss of a baby tooth too soon and the emergence and positioning of the permanent teeth.
Even though the ideal time to begin treatment is when a kid is developing, it is true that orthodontic treatment can be completed at any age. Today, more and more people are getting orthodontic treatment, which is good for their teeth and their health.
However, with so many options for braces and treatment systems on the market, it may be difficult to know which one is ideal. You should think about many things when you decide what kind of orthodontic treatment is best for a patient.
If you want healthy, beautiful, and stable results, you need to consider a variety of aspects, including:
- The degree to which a person has a malocclusion or biting issue.
- The extent to which the teeth are crowded or spaced apart.
- Here is what you should do if you need to have your teeth extracted.
- How the upper and lower jaws fit together
- How long will the equipment be required?
- Is there a need for any other, supporting appliances?
- Commitment from the patient to their dental hygiene, appliance care, and use.
Advancements In Dental Care
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking orthodontic treatment since braces have become more readily available and more attractive. Only 27% of the four million people in the United States who wear orthodontic braces are over the age of 18.
Improved care has allowed for more precise treatment planning using tools that are smaller, more efficient, and more aesthetic during the previous few decades.
The following are some of the most important advancements in dental care:
- Bracket design with a more compact and sleek metal bracket.
- Brackets that are clear and look good.
- Braces that self-ligate.
- Lingual Braces
- Accelerated Orthodontics.
- Aligners that are transparent
- CBCT imaging provides three-dimensional information.
- Impressions of the digital world.
- Software for 3-D dental planning and intraoral scanners.
- Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs).
The Use of Clear Aligners in Orthodontic Treatment
They have transformed orthodontic treatment since their introduction more than two decades ago. Many people find this new treatment method to be more discreet, pleasant, and convenient than orthodontic treatment.
Treatment that's practically undetectable to the outer world.
Clear aligners are custom-made to fit a patient's smile and are meant to gradually shift teeth into their proper places. Patients may see their smiles getting better and better as they proceed through the recommended sequence of aligners. The best part is that no one other than the patient is aware that they are getting orthodontic treatment thanks to the fact that it is nearly undetectable to the outside world.
More people are electing to straighten their smiles now that orthodontic therapy has reached the era of aligners.
When patients use clear aligners, they can eat all of their favorite foods and do all of their favorite activities without fear of hurting their orthodontic equipment or poking wires. Furthermore, because the aligners can be taken out and cleaned as needed, you won't have to worry about brushing and flossing around braces and wires.
Clear aligner therapy is a fantastic alternative for many image-conscious teenagers and adults.
At My Dentist San Francisco, we strive to stay on the cutting edge of dental treatment to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care. Whether you choose clear aligners or traditional braces to get a beautiful and healthy smile, we'll help you no matter what.
Children's orthodontic treatment
Most kids start orthodontic work between the ages of 9 and 14, despite the fact that certain children need early treatment or first phase. They are usually in the middle to late stages of mixed dentition at this point. To put it another way, they've got a mixture of permanent front teeth as well as permanent molars as well as some baby teeth.
Placing braces now gives the orthodontist a better chance to fix the child's front teeth and guide the coming adult teeth into place, all while the child is still growing and growing.
With an average treatment length of two years, braces are worn for one to three years. Early treatment may be needed for children who need a space maintainer or habit control therapy, or who have a lot of jaw misalignment.
The outcomes of orthodontic treatment are stabilized and maintained by wearing retainers after the appliances have been removed.
For adults who are interested in orthodontic treatment
Adult orthodontic treatment choices are more convenient, more comfortable, more efficient, and less noticeable than ever before because of the large number of treatment alternatives available. Braces made of heavy metal have long since been a thing of the past. Metal appliances of the current generation are far smaller and less obtrusive than their predecessors. Adults who want orthodontic treatment can choose from a variety of options, including invisible braces. Modern tooth-colored ceramic braces or clear aligners can all be used to treat patients in a way that is both effective and beautiful.
Adults considering orthodontic treatment must remember that a good outcome is contingent on strong teeth and supportive bone. Untreated bite and tooth alignment issues can have serious effects on adults who seek therapy. Due to the difficulty of cleaning their teeth, individuals may suffer from dental decay, gum disease, bone loss, or even extractions. They may also have worn-down teeth or problems with their TMJ.
While it's vital to take care of any unresolved dental concerns before beginning orthodontic treatment, it's also critical to keep the teeth and surrounding tissues healthy throughout and after treatment as well.
Although adult orthodontics necessitates time and money, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile cannot be overstated. Modern orthodontics has made it possible for people of all ages to have healthy, beautiful teeth.
Keeping A Lovely Smile
It's a joyous occasion for anyone who has worn orthodontic equipment to get their braces or other devices removed. The best reward for going through orthodontic treatment is having a beautiful, well-aligned, and functional smile.
Almost everyone who has had orthodontic treatment will be required to wear a retainer for a specific amount of time thereafter. Teeth relapse can be prevented by using a retainer after treatment.
In order to prevent teeth from shifting back to their natural places, retainers are necessary. The elastic memory of the fibers that attach the teeth to the jawbones They prefer to return to their original locations once orthodontic devices are taken out, which might cause the teeth to shift in the opposite direction of their new alignment. A retainer helps these fibers rearrange themselves in their new places and refresh their memories.
As part of a more sophisticated masticatory system, teeth are also vulnerable to pressures that can't always be foreseen or controlled. Retainers are essential. Things like tongue or lip postures or jaw development that isn't ideal, oral habits or periodontal diseases can still compromise dental alignment even after orthodontic treatment has been completed.
Keep in mind that orthodontic treatment has long-term advantages. The best strategy to keep your teeth straight and attractive after braces are removed is to use retainers religiously.