For many people with crooked teeth, it can seem difficult to justify the cost of orthodontics. However, this objection is based on misinformation. The rise of orthodontics in the United States isn’t just a vanity project. Crooked teeth can lead to real complications that could ultimately endanger your oral health. To learn more about getting braces in Orange County, contact our helpful team at OC Dental Specialists.
The Dangers of Malocclusion (“Bad Bite”)
The American Dental Association identifies two primary problems that result from crooked teeth:
- General degeneration of oral health. Put simply, crooked teeth are harder to clean properly. In some cases, overlapping teeth can make it almost impossible to brush and floss the entire surface of each tooth. Over time, this will result in cavities and gum disease even if you follow a regular dental care regime.
- Poor jaw development. Many people with crooked teeth have an uneven “bite.” Their top teeth are out of alignment with their bottom teeth. In some cases, the distinction is severe enough that it can lead to problems with speaking and chewing. Over time, an uneven bite can lead to accelerated wear on your enamel and cause abnormal development in your jaw.
If the promise of a more confident smile isn’t enough to convince you to speak with an orthodontist, then you now have a solid, medical reason to consider it. Speak with your dentist about your concerns to find out whether or not correction would be best for your long-term health.
Too Old for Braces
The other major factor responsible for adults passing on the chance to correct their teeth is centered on our cultural fixation on braces as a negative, teenage experience. Fortunately, there are so many options available to you now that you don’t have to worry about a mouth full of metal.
O.C. Dental Specialists offer braces as well as removable appliances. Currently, we offer both metal and ceramic options in braces. Although metal is exactly what you expect them to be, the ceramic is not. Ceramic braces are created to mimic the color of your teeth, allowing you the speed of conventional braces without sacrificing your smile. Alternatively, you can also opt for removable Invisalign. If you aren’t already familiar with Invisalign, they work by gradually moving your teeth using a progressive set of plastic trays shaped specifically for your mouth. You can take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally. As a bonus, they’re barely visible.
The Reality and Science of Braces and Humanity
As the average human diet includes increasing amounts of softer foods, human beings chew far less while eating. Scientists have demonstrated that this has resulted in a noticeable decrease in the size of the human jaw from our ancient ancestors. However, we still have the same number of teeth. Therefore, as our adult teeth come in, crowding is inevitable for most of us. Essentially, human evolution makes it highly likely that almost everyone will require orthodontic work to fit their teeth properly into their jaw, and there’s no shame in it.
If you haven’t already, then it’s time to choose your health and speak to your Irvine dentist about what option is best for you. Generally speaking, mild cases are expected to take between 12 and 18 months of treatment, and severe cases are expected to take between 2 and 3 years. However, you won’t really know how long you can expect your treatment to last until you’ve gone through an initial examination with your prospective orthodontist. Schedule a consultation here.