Orthodontic care is supposed to gradually move permanent teeth that are misaligned. Once all of the permanent teeth have erupted, our orthodontists might create a long-term plan to treat any abnormalities in their positions. Generally speaking, the ideal time to start orthodontic treatment is usually in the early teenage years. Nevertheless, most adults still have the option of fixing their bad bites.
Diagnosis and initial steps for children
The eruption of permanent teeth is significantly impacted by deciduous teeth. If there isn’t enough space for proper eruption, the incisors, canines and molars might come out in the wrong positions. It’s important to have the deciduous teeth extracted promptly in order to reduce the potential for crowing, bad bite and other forms of malocclusion. However, genetic factors may play a key role in improper eruption.
Extractions of deciduous teeth might not guarantee that the permanent teeth will grow in the appropriate spots. Comprehensive dental X-rays may be used to precisely forecast the formation of all permanent teeth in a patient. After analyzing the scans, our orthodontist might recommend that some permanent teeth be extracted. Such a recommendation is typically done for people who have moderate to severe forms of crowding.
Orthodontic care for adults
After age 20, the teeth and their roots harden and settle down deep in the gums. Therefore, it can become more difficult for orthodontists to correct a malocclusion of an adult compared to a teenager. There isn’t a viable way to accelerate the treatment process for adults who want straight teeth. To reduce any self-consciousness, some adults may opt for ceramic braces or Invisalign®.
Orthodontic retainers
Orthodontic patients of all ages will have to wear retainers after completing their treatments. Adults might have to wear retainers for many years in order to lower the risk of a relapse. By contrast, teens might only have to wear retainers for a year or two to lock the teeth in their proper positions. It all depends on the unique situation.
Schedule a free consultation
If you are interested in orthodontic care, whether it be through braces, Invisalign® or some other form of correction, make an appointment at Petty & Bielik Orthodontics in Oak Lawn to learn more about your options. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation for orthodontic care!