What orthodontists do, how to choose one, and what you may pay.
Even when happy, some people resist smiling. Or they cover their mouth with their hand. Their crooked teeth embarrass them.
That’s when you need to see an orthodontist.
Orthodontists are dentists with advanced training in making teeth move. They can realign crooked teeth into a straight, healthy smile.
It’s a transformation often noticed by parents recently when their 15-year-olds gleefully got their braces removed. That’s when even these parents are getting decided to treat themselves to an unlikely 40th birthday present: their own set of braces.
In the U.S., one in five orthodontic patients is an adult, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Here's what you should know if you're considering getting orthodontic work done.
What Do Orthodontists Do?
The top reason for seeing an orthodontist is the same for adults and kids - to treat malocclusion, or a “bad bite.”
Orthodontists help straighten teeth and improve your bite by correcting howy our teeth fit together and how your jaws line up.
They use braces, trays (also known as aligners), and other appliances -- such as headgear, which attach around the head or neck to add more force to help make teeth move. They also use retainers to hold teeth in position.
Why See an Orthodontist
Most patients see orthodontics as just straightening the teeth, but one of the most important factors is the way the bite fits together at the end of treatment
Crooked or crowded teeth, as well as overbites and underbites, can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.That’s because overlapping teeth can be tough to clean.
A bad bite also can cause problems when chewing and talking. Not to mention too much wear, grinding, and clenching.
Orthodontics has come a long way over the years. Primitive but well-designed orthodontic appliances have been found with Greek and Etruscan artifacts, Rogers says.
Stainless steel brackets and wires were introduced in 1927. Clear ceramic or porcelain brackets debuted in the 1970s. In 1999, Invisalign was introduced. It’s a series of clear trays that fit in the mouth and are changed every two weeks. Other tray aligners include clear path, smile align which are more Indian based and very economical compared to invisalign
Today, some braces are may be nearly invisible. Some have clear or tooth-colored brackets. Others are attached to the lingual (back side) of your teeth.
The IOS [Indian Orthodontic Society]recommends that children see an orthodontist no later than age 7, even if there are no problems. That’s because the jaw is still developing and it’s best to catch issues early.
Most children go into orthodontic treatment when they are between 9 and 14 years old, but the average for girls is a little earlier.
The typical adult patient might be 26 to 44 years old, but even the patients of 60 plus can also be treated, if their gums are healthy.
How long will treatment take? Orthodontists customize treatment for each patient. It usually takes one to three years.
Choosing an Orthodontist
Generally, most of the orthodontic patientsare being treated in india in a general dental practice scenario, where the orthodontist visits on particular day of the month. Whether a practice is right for you has a lot to do with the personality of the orthodontist and how good you feel when you’re there. Also an orthodontists clinic can be a better option for the patient as he can devote more time on each patient, scheduling of appointments can be easy for the patients also.
Consultation First
Many orthodontists offer free or low-cost consultations. It includes a panoramic X-ray that gives a full-mouth view, photographs, and a medical history.
Among other things, they measure how wide apatient can open her mouth and whether there’s jaw muscle tenderness or clicking, which may indicate grinding. they also measures the protrusion (how much teeth are jutting out) and crowding of the teeth.
Before they leave, patients get an estimate of treatment cost, length, and goals.
Costs for orthodontic work vary by doctor and region. More expensive doesn’t always mean better. Go to an orthodontist who offers video games in the waiting room and lavish, high-end prizes? You might be paying more for flash than substance. Instead, check for the experience of the orthodontist, get to know of his extra academical certifications, reviews etc
Many orthodontists offer EMI facility to bepaid at the convenience of the patient.
Ask if there’s a lifetime cap or maximum,or any age limits.
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