Straightening crooked teeth can impact both your oral health and your overall appearance. At Brodie Bowman Orthodontics in Fort Walton Beach, FL, we see the full range of benefits of straight teeth every day, from making teeth easier to clean to revealing a beautiful, straight smile.
We offer a variety of options to help correct crooked teeth and can guide you to the treatment that is best for you. Whether you are considering solutions for yourself or your child, we can help you learn everything you need to know about your treatment options and the benefits of straightening your teeth.
How Do Teeth Become Crooked?
Crooked teeth can arise from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics play a role in the overall structure of your jaw and teeth alignment, passing down traits that can lead to misalignments. Environmental factors, such as prolonged thumb sucking, the early loss of baby teeth, or an injury, can also disrupt the natural alignment process. This combination of influences makes each case of crooked teeth unique, requiring careful evaluation to determine the best course of action.
When Can Crooked Teeth Be Corrected?
An orthodontist can begin to address crooked teeth at various stages of life, starting as early as age 7, which is the age many patients are when orthodontists perform their first evaluations. This early assessment allows for the identification of potential issues that might benefit from early intervention. However, it’s never too late to seek correction; adults of any age can achieve improvements in their dental alignment.
What Are the Aesthetic Benefits of Aligned Teeth?
A Brighter Smile
Many individuals with crooked teeth may find themselves holding back their smiles because they’re self-conscious about their dental alignment. Correcting these misalignments through orthodontics not only enhances the straightness of teeth but also encourages a more confident smile.
Improved Facial Symmetry
Orthodontics can balance facial features since aligned teeth contribute to overall facial symmetry. Misaligned teeth can throw off the balance of facial aesthetics, affecting how the jawline and cheekbones appear. By bringing teeth into proper alignment, the symmetry of the face is improved.
A More Youthful Appearance
Misaligned or crooked teeth can sometimes give the face a more aged appearance because of the way they affect the structure of the mouth and face. Aligning the teeth properly can tighten the appearance of the facial skin, strengthening the jawline and subtly lifting features that may have seemed “dragged down” by poor dental alignment.
Surprising Health Benefits of Aligned Teeth
Easier Cleaning and Oral Hygiene
Aligned teeth offer fewer hiding spots for plaque and bacteria, making daily cleaning and maintaining oral hygiene much more straightforward. When teeth are crowded, it’s challenging to floss and brush effectively, but straight teeth can be cleaned more efficiently, leading to a healthier mouth overall and a lowered risk of tooth decay.
Decreased Risk of Gum Disease
Aligning your teeth improves the fit of your teeth with your gums, creating a healthier environment that is less susceptible to inflammation and gum disease. Teeth straightening helps to distribute the pressure when you bite, which helps you maintain the health of your gums, preventing the onset of periodontal issues.
Prevention of Abnormal Wear
Misaligned teeth often result in uneven wear on certain teeth, which can lead to complications over time. Bite correction properly aligns the teeth, distributing biting force evenly across all teeth and preventing abnormal wear patterns from developing.
Less Strain on Jaw Muscles and Joints
Misalignment can cause unnecessary strain on the jaw muscles and joints, leading to discomfort and conditions such as TMJ disorders. Correcting crooked teeth alleviates this strain, allowing the jaw to function more naturally and comfortably, reducing the risk of jaw pain and associated symptoms.
Reduction in Speech Difficulties
Misaligned teeth or an improper bite correction can also be the root of certain speech impediments, as they affect the way the tongue moves against the teeth during speech. Aligning the teeth properly can help eliminate these speech difficulties, making it easier to pronounce words clearly.
What Methods Can We Use to Straighten Teeth?
Braces
- Mini Diamond Braces: Compact and less visible, these braces offer a more aesthetically appealing option while providing the strength needed for effective treatment.
- Clear Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces blend in with the natural color of your teeth, making them less noticeable than traditional metal braces.
- SmartClip Braces: This type of braces uses a self-ligating system that eliminates the need for elastics, potentially reducing treatment time and office visits.
Invisalign®
Invisalign is a type of aligner that offers a virtually invisible way to correct teeth alignment without the brackets and wires associated with traditional braces. Through a sequence of tailor-made, transparent aligners, your teeth are progressively shifted to their correct placement. For adults and teenagers in search of an inconspicuous option for orthodontic treatment, Invisalign stands out as a favored choice.
Carriere® Motion™ Appliance
The Carriere Motion Appliance is designed to fast-track the orthodontic process, potentially reducing the time you need to spend in braces. This approach focuses on correcting the bite early on, setting the stage for a more efficient teeth straightening process. It’s an effective way to begin treatment, aiming to improve the fit of the bite and alignment of the teeth right from the start.
Why Choose Our Orthodontics Office?
Choosing our orthodontics office means partnering with a practice that prides itself on expertise and commitment to patient care. As a veteran-owned business, we embody the values of service and integrity in every aspect of our work. Our lead orthodontist, Dr. Brodie Bowman, brings a wealth of experience and a personalized approach to orthodontic care, spending time with each patient to design the most effective treatment plan. We want to create lasting relationships while providing care that makes a difference in our patients’ lives.
Start the Process of Aligning Your Teeth Today
At Brodie Bowman Orthodontics, we offer a comprehensive range of solutions for crooked teeth, from traditional braces to modern aligners, providing effective treatments for patients in Fort Walton Beach, FL. We use the latest in orthodontic technology so that our patients can experience all of the benefits of perfectly aligned teeth. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us online or call us at (850) 659-7599.