Orthodontics in Stoke are a form of cosmetic dental treatment primarily used to help improve the appearance and alignment of your teeth if they are crooked, crowded, have gaps, or protrude. Orthodontics can also commonly be used to correct overbites, underbites and crossbites which usually occur due to poor dental genetics and thumb sucking. In recent years there has been an upsurge in the number of people opting for orthodontics in Stoke as they can help resolve a range of imperfections you may be experiencing with your teeth, without the need of dental surgery.

The benefits of visiting your orthodontist

There are many benefits to visiting your orthodontist as they are able to carry out numerous forms of correctional treatments to restore the appeal of your teeth. Treatments include correction of dental crowding, teeth straightening, correction of bites so that the front and back teeth meet evenly and reducing the risk of damage to teeth obviously vulnerable.

Crowded teeth and crooked teeth are very common issues people face; suffering with these dental issues may make it difficult for you to keep your teeth and gums clean and increases the possibility of your teeth getting damaged. Sometimes, the placement of your teeth and jaw can have an effect on the shape of your face making you seem older so orthodontics in Stoke would be a suitable option to help avoid this, as preventive treatments such as braces and placing temporary screws into your jaw would realign them and fix the posture of your face.

What orthodontic treatments are available?

Orthodontic treatments are only carried out after all your adult teeth have come through; therefore braces are avoided on infants and very young children. Prior to undergoing any form of treatment, your orthodontist will carry out an assessment and consultation to determine whether the treatment will be suitable for you to undergo. Your orthodontist will only agree to proceed with treatments if you have a good standard of oral hygiene; this is because many orthodontic treatments can increase the risk of developing tooth decay and other dental issues if you already have poor oral hygiene.

The most common type of orthodontic treatment carried out at Ashlow Orthodontics involves the use of braces, both traditional metal braces and clear aligners, to align the position of your teeth and close any gaps, both obvious and hidden. Braces apply slight pressure on your teeth to help them shift into the correct position over time and the treatment takes roughly one year to complete.

Another orthodontic treatment used to help improve the appearance of your teeth and gums are functional appliances. Functional appliances are used to treat problems involving the placement of your upper and lower jaw and teeth. If you suffer with this issue, you may find yourself needing to wear the functional appliances all the time as the treatment will only work if they are worn appropriately. The only time you can remove your functional appliance is when you are eating or when they require cleaning.

Headgear provides a form of orthodontic treatment that is used to correct the positioning of your back teeth or to keep them in position while your front teeth are being treated. Fortunately, headgear only needs to be worn in the evening and during the night when you sleep, but it is important to note that you will be unable to eat or drink whilst wearing your headgear.