Are you considering orthodontic treatment because of crooked teeth, bite problems, or other issues? You might be hesitant because you don’t know what to expect. 

Orthodontic problems can worsen over time, so it’s best not to wait too long for treatment. That’s why we want our patients to understand what to expect with orthodontic treatment so they can act sooner rather than later.

Initial Evaluation

Orthodontic treatment starts with an evaluation of your teeth and bite. After careful evaluation, we might identify:

  • Spaced teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Midline problems
  • Bite issues

Spaced teeth give you visible gaps in your smile. This can lead to black spaces that make your smile unattractive or unhealthy. In addition, spaces between teeth can make it hard to avoid plaque accumulation between your teeth, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease. 

Crowded teeth can occur when your jaws don’t grow large enough to accommodate all your teeth or if a tooth comes in crooked, disrupting the spacing of other teeth. Teeth can tilt or move forward or back or rotate to make space. These crowded teeth are visibly crooked, which can make you self-conscious, and they can be harder to clean, too. 

Midline problems occur when the midline of your smile doesn’t match up with the midline of your face. This can create a smile that looks just a little off. 

Bite issues come in many categories, ranging from mostly cosmetic to those with serious functional impairments. Overbite, underbite, and crossbite are typical examples of bite issues.

Potential Referral to a Specialist

Along with identifying the type of orthodontic issues you might be experiencing, we will determine the severity of the problem. At Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale, we can treat all kinds of orthodontic issues, but not necessarily all severity of bite issues. If your orthodontic problem is beyond the scope of our practice, we will refer you to an orthodontic specialist. 

Our practice has multiple dental specialists, including prosthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, and pediatric dentists. We know how much of a difference working with a specialist can make in the right case. So, if you will receive significantly better care from an orthodontist, we will not hesitate to refer you to one.

Fixed or Removal Treatments

Wherever you receive orthodontic treatment, your dentist will utilize orthodontic appliances that apply specific force to your teeth. Applying controlled force over time encourages your body to reshape the bone around your teeth. This allows your teeth to move (or prevents them from moving). There are two types of orthodontic appliances: fixed or removable. 

Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

Fixed orthodontic appliances are bonded to your teeth. This allows them to provide the desired force constantly. They are preferred when you need this constant force or when the wearer can’t be trusted to follow a treatment protocol. 

Common types of fixed appliances include:

  • Braces
  • Fixed spacers
  • Permanent retainers

Braces are a common traditional orthodontic appliance. They consist of brackets and/or bands mounted on teeth that attach to a wire, which provides the force to move teeth. 

Fixed spacers help maintain space in your bite after you lose a tooth. Common applications include when a child loses a tooth sooner than expected or if you have a tooth extracted but can’t receive immediate dental implant placement. 

Permanent retainers help maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment. Retainers can make orthodontic results permanent, but if patients don’t wear their removable retainer, these might be a more practical option. 

Removable Orthodontic Appliances

Removable orthodontic appliances provide treatment flexibility. You can wear them when necessary to get results, but remove them for eating, cleaning your teeth, or special occasions like public speaking or professional photos. They can give the same quality results as fixed appliances, but they depend on you following the treatment protocol. 

Common removable appliances include:

  • Clear aligners
  • Retainers

Clear aligners use a series of clear plastic aligners instead of brackets and wires to move teeth. The computer-designed sequence of aligners are worn one after the other to accomplish specific movements. These systems, including Invisalign and ClearCorrect, can deliver good orthodontic results when used properly, and they don’t demand that you give up foods or learn different hygiene routines. 

Retainers are removable appliances that hold your teeth in the positions achieved during orthodontic treatment. As long as you wear your retainers, your orthodontic results are essentially permanent.

Your Role in Successful Treatment

Orthodontics is a discipline with a long track record of successful treatment. It’s a well-established science, but it also depends on you to achieve the results you want while maintaining good oral health. 

Your role in successful treatment depends on whether you have fixed or removable appliances. For fixed appliances, you don’t have to worry about treatment protocols other than making your orthodontic appointments on time. However, you do have to take special care when cleaning your teeth around the fixed appliances. You must also follow guidelines for what to eat and drink during treatment. This may include avoiding foods that may damage the appliance and/or impact your oral health.

With removable appliances, you will have guidelines for how much time you have to wear your appliances to achieve results. This is typically 22 hours a day with clear aligners. Retainers may start with all-day wear but reduce to every night or even a few nights a week. You must also follow guidelines for handling appliances when eating or cleaning teeth. This often involves only consuming water while wearing appliances and thoroughly cleaning your teeth before putting appliances in. 

If you follow treatment protocols, the odds are high that you will enjoy the desired results on the forecasted timetable.

Ask about Orthodontic Treatment in Scarsdale

Want to learn what orthodontic treatment will be like for you? Contact Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale today at (914) 725-7100 for your detailed evaluation and treatment plan. Get started on the path towards a more beautiful smile.