Orthodontics
Braces and Orthodontic Services
Braces and orthodontic corrective services seem like they’re purely cosmetic, but this isn’t the case. If you decide to forgo braces because of the cost, you could be setting yourself up for many oral health risks down the road. In fact, you may be forced to visit an orthodontist later, when issues aren’t so straightforward.
At Rockford Dental Care, we have several orthodontists on staff with expertise in orthodontic technology and procedures. When your bite needs to be fixed, come to us for service you can count on.
How Do You Know If You Need Orthodontic Care?
Orthodontia refers to services that help correct your tooth, jaw, and bite structure. Whether you have one tooth out of line, or a completely misaligned bite, you may need braces or another type of aligning device to help straighten your teeth and prevent structural damage.
When your bite isn’t correct, the contact that your teeth make when chewing may cause them to be damaged easier. Human teeth are designed to be able to apply force to food when you chew and reduce that force on the surfaces of other teeth. People who need orthodontic services often are in situations where their teeth are in the line of fire in terms of bite pressure.
So how can you find out if you need braces? Your dentist will be able to tell you based on your dental history, X-rays and photographs, and a look into your mouth. At Rockford Dental Care, you have the unique opportunity to be treated in a practice where dentists and orthodontists work together to establish a continuum of care.
Some Common Issues
There are a number of different reasons why you’d need braces. Here are a few of the most common:
Bite Problems
An overbite or an underbite describe conditions where your front teeth are unusually far in front or behind your bottom teeth, respectively. A crossbite describes a situation in which your front teeth contact each other evenly when you bite down. Ideally, your front teeth should be just barely in front of your back teeth when you bite to keep these two parts from contacting each other when you chew.
Crowding or Misplaced Teeth
In adolescents, when new teeth come in, or in adults over time, teeth can shift, become crowded, or grow in outside of an ideal location for your bite. Braces are recommended for this situation because when teeth are misplaced or crooked, they become more difficult to clean effectively.
Different Types of Orthodontic Solutions
Depending on your circumstances, you may be a better fit for a few different types of straightening solutions. At Rockford Dental Care, we offer semi-permanent braces and removable aligners. For both, a mold is made of your mouth. Braces involve metal brackets being glued to your teeth on the upper, lower, or both sides in order to slowly fix your bite alignment. With removable aligners, the mold is used to build a tray that you wear on your teeth at most times, which is also intended to fix alignment over time.
We also use spacers, expanders, retainers, and more in pursuit of fixing your bite and perfecting your smile. Ask for more information about our orthodontic services. Give us a call to schedule your appointment and start feeling confident in your smile. Schedule your smile makeover from our team of experts. Reach out to our office by calling 815-397-4280 at your earliest convenience!