All corrective treatments begin with an initial consultation to create a treatment plan tailored to your particular dental needs. If you’re unsure if you should seek out treatment, a consultation with us can determine if you would benefit from orthodontics or other corrective dentistry.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics refers to the prevention, guidance and correction of various dental issues, such as bad bites or alignment of teeth. If teeth are crowded or too spaced out, or if both top and bottom jaws don’t meet correctly, this can cause long term dental issues, and affect a person’s bite and speech. Orthodontics typically involves the use of braces and aligners to correct any issues a person is having with their teeth.
Although children and teens typically receive orthodontic treatment, orthodontics are actually helpful for all ages to correct any dental issues or for a straighter, more comfortable smile.
Typically, individuals seek treatment for the following:
- Overbite: When the front upper teeth stick out too far over the bottom front teeth
- Underbite: When the bottom front teeth fall in front of the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: When both the top and bottom jawline are not aligned together, and the bite is “crossed.”
- Open bite: When there is space between the teeth when biting together
- Spacing: Gaps between teeth
- Crowding: When there appears to be too many teeth
Orthodontists can correct any of the above issues with treatments such as braces, aligners, space maintainers, headgear, lip and cheek bumpers, retainers, splints, and more.
Invisalign
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth without going through orthodontia, our team also offers Invisalign as an option for your dental care. Invisalign is a method of straightening your teeth and smile using a series of clear, removable aligners throughout your dental treatment.
To begin, the dentist will take a digital scan of your teeth and, from there, create a custom treatment plan for you. Custom aligners will be created for your teeth that your dentist will instruct you to wear for a period of time. With a regular routine on your end, and regular check-ins with us, your treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months depending on your dental needs. And, once your treatment is complete, you’ll receive retainers to wear and maintain the new smile that you worked so hard to align.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are completely removable, so that you can eat, floss and brush like usual, without any wires or brackets in your way. Because the aligners are removable, you have zero food restrictions and are free to enjoy everything you ate prior to dental treatment.
Retainers
Part of maintaining the smile from any orthodontics or corrective treatment involves routinely wearing your retainer. A retainer is a custom-made appliance created from impressions of your teeth that holds your teeth in place. It is typically prescribed after orthodontic treatment to keep your teeth in place. There are three different types of retainers a dentist or orthodontist may recommend you use after treatment:
Bonded retainer: A bonded retainer, also known as a permanent retainer, is attached to your teeth after treatment to keep your teeth in place. It is typically used when you need to wear your retainer at all times as a follow-up to your treatment.
Wire retainer: Wire retainers, or Hawley retainers, are removable. They can be taken out for eating and cleaning, but similar to bonded retainers, should be worn routinely to maintain the alignment of your teeth.
Clear plastic retainer: Clear plastic retainers are one of the most popular retainers. They are molded to fit your teeth perfectly and hold your teeth in alignment. Like wire retainers, these are also removable, but because they are clear and molded to fit your teeth, they are not as visible and are seen to be more attractive for cosmetic reasons.
When you first complete dental treatment, you may be instructed to wear your retainer all day and all night. However, once time has passed, and especially if you have a removable retainer, you may be given a different routine for your retainers based on your teeth. Throughout time, your teeth will move, but consistently wearing a retainer helps to slow this process and keep your teeth as straight as when you first completed dental treatment.
If you are facing any issues regarding the spacing or bite of your teeth, please give us a call today and let us help you get one step closer to a more comfortable smile. Depending on your coverage, corrective dentistry and orthodontics could be partially covered by your insurance. We recommend meeting with our team to discuss your dental needs and your treatment options to determine what your best option is. We would love to work with you and help you achieve the smile you’re looking for!
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Waugh III Russell H DDS
3145 Custer Drive, Lexington
