05 Aug Orthodontic Treatment to Enhance Your Smile
Crooked teeth can be a minor issue, adding just a bit of personality to your smile, or they can be an example of severe misalignment, making your smile unattractive. In addition to being unattractive, severely misaligned teeth can lead to a variety of other issues, including decay, excessive wear, teeth grinding, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
The best way to straighten crooked teeth and restore health and beauty to your smile is through orthodontic treatment. The most common type of orthodontic treatment is braces, although other techniques can also be used to bring teeth back into alignment.
Traditional Braces for Orthodontic Correction
For many years, traditional braces have been the treatment of choice for orthodontists. The orthodontist affixes the metal braces to the front surface of the teeth. Bands are then stretched between the braces. The force exerted by the bands gradually moves the teeth into the proper position.
Usually, after treatment with braces is completed, the orthodontist will recommend a metal retainer to keep the teeth in position for a period of time. This keeps the teeth from moving back into their original, incorrect position. Often more than one treatment with braces is necessary to be sure full alignment correction is accomplished.
Alternative Orthodontic Care
Other options are available for orthodontic care that are less visible than traditional braces. Adults often choose these alternatives because it helps them be less self-conscious during treatment. These options include transparent braces, similar to traditional braces only constructed of different material, and treatments such as Invisalign.
A very popular treatment among adults in need of orthodontic care, Invisalign works with clear plastic aligner trays. Each tray is constructed so that it causes the teeth to shift a small amount in the mouth. During treatment, the patient typically uses an average of twelve trays, each worn for about two weeks. After the last tray is removed, the teeth have moved into their intended alignment.
To find out more about braces in San Antonio, as well as other orthodontic treatment options such as Invisalign, please contact our office at 210-616-0858 to schedule a consultation.