A dentist often recommends that a patient arrange to see an orthodontist if the person has crooked or crowded teeth or suffers from a condition with the jaw. If malocclusions are left untreated it can quickly lead to gum disorders, tooth decay and headaches not to mention problems with eating and speaking.
Is there a right time to get braces?
Although orthodontic treatment can begin at any age it is recommended that parents first take their children when they are about seven years old. They may not necessarily begin treatment at that age but the orthodontist will be in a position to chart any potential problems. If braces in Downers Grove are needed they are usually fitted when the child is between 10-12 years old.
Braces are not just for kids, adults can also benefit from wearing them. More and more adults are straightening their teeth and improving their bite since the introduction of invisible aligners.
What types of braces are commonly used?
Although there are choices, it is always best to follow the recommendations of your orthodontist. There are three varieties of braces in Downers Grove. The most popular and most widely used are brackets which can be stainless steel, ceramic or plastic. Normally the brackets are fitted to the front of the teeth but they can also be fitted to the back of the teeth. Regardless of the position of the brackets, they use wires to move the teeth into the desired position.
In 2000, a revolutionary new type of braces in Downers Grove was introduced. These are not technically braces; they are a series of plastic aligners that fit over the teeth. About every two weeks a new aligner is used, it is slightly different than the one just used as well as the one that will be used two weeks from now. These aligners are rapidly gaining in popularity, they can easily be removed for eating and cleaning and they are almost totally invisible.
Braces in Downers Grove are used to straighten misaligned teeth. Straight teeth are far more attractive, easier to maintain and make eating and speaking easier. If you believe you or your child may need braces you are invited to make an early appointment with Oakbrook Orthodontics. Visit them online at www.oakbrookortho.com/braces-downers-grove/
