There are many people that, even when happy, tend to hide their smile behind their hand; they are embarrassed by the fact that their teeth are crooked or misaligned. This is when you need to make an appointment with an orthodontist in Downers Grove.
What does an orthodontist do?
There are nine specific dental specialties; orthodontics is one of them. An orthodontist focuses his or her attention on treating patients with a malocclusion; in other words, a “bad bite.” The job of an orthodontist is straightening and aligning teeth using various dental appliances such as braces or aligners.
Although a general dentist will undertake simple orthodontic procedures, in the greatest majority of cases your dentist will refer you to an orthodontic specialist.
Why see an orthodontist?
People see an orthodontist not only to straighten their teeth but equally important; the orthodontist ensures that the teeth fit together properly when the treatment has been completed. Overbites, under bites and crooked teeth, can easily lead to decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. A bad bite can also make it difficult to eat and speak properly.
The practice of orthodontics can be dated back to the days of the early Greeks. Stainless brackets were first introduced in the mid-1920s and invisible aligners, which are rapidly becoming the favored way of correcting a malocclusion, were introduced in the late 1990s.
When should you visit an orthodontist?
Visits to an orthodontist in Downers Grove should start early in a child’s life, even if there are no apparent issues, the first visit should be no later than age seven. The typical adult patient is in the mid to late thirties, but there is no practical limit on when patients can seek orthodontic treatment.
Depending on the severity of the malocclusion, typical orthodontic care takes anywhere from one to three years.
If your teeth are misaligned or crooked, you should arrange to see an orthodontist in Downers Grove. You are invited to contact Oakbrook Orthodontics and arrange a free initial consultation.
