If you’ve been to the orthodontist and he says you may need braces, you likely have a lot of questions. Why do I need them? For how long? What can I expect? There are many reasons why you might need braces. In general, braces are designed to correct teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. These things can occur as part of genetics or from injury. Teeth that aren’t fixed properly will be more difficult to maintain and clean, which leads to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Perhaps more importantly, issues could arise with the jaw and mouth that can change your physical appearance over time, your ability to chew and your ability to speak correctly. Chewing muscles can be stressed as well, causing headaches, TMJ syndrome, and neck, shoulder and back pain.
Whether you’re an adult or a child, the decision to get braces is a very personal one. You’ll start off with an initial consultation with your orthodontist regarding North Andover braces to review your medical and dental history, get an oral examination of the mouth and jaw, and take x-rays and molds. Your doctor will then let you know if you require braces, either now or in the near future. Sometimes your orthodontist will put off braces if you haven’t lost all your baby teeth yet.
Here are five signs you may need braces:
1. Overbite: This occurs when your top teeth stick out prominently over the bottom teeth, also referred to as “buck teeth.”
2. Underbite: This occurs when your bottom teeth push too far forward past the upper teeth, resulting in a bulldog appearance.
3. Crossbite: There are two main kinds of crossbite: posterior (back of the mouth) and anterior (front of the mouth). You have a crossbite when the upper teeth fail to match up slightly in front of the lower teeth when you bite down.
4. Spacing: If you have gaps or spaces in between your teeth, braces may be needed to close those up and bring the teeth together as they should be.
5. Crowding: This is when you have too many teeth in too small a space. Just like braces can bring teeth together, it can pull them apart as well.
There are many more reasons why you would need braces, such as in the case of an open bite, which is a space found between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth where the back teeth meet, or a misplaced midline that happens when the middle of the upper front teeth does not line up with the middle of the lower front teeth.
Every patient is different. It all starts with a consultation to determine if you need braces in North Andover. Call Dr. Gary Demetriou today at 978-794-0010. We can put you at ease about the whole process and make you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in our doors. We’re here to help you achieve a better smile!