Orthodontic braces are typically associated with fixing gaps in between teeth. Dental braces are a proven solution for both adults and children, addressing a range of orthodontic concerns.

However, did you know that braces can help correct a wide variety of dental issues? From misaligned jaws to overcrowding, understanding what braces can fix can help improve your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Braces improve not just the look of your teeth, but also oral function and overall dental health.

How Braces Work

Braces are a cornerstone of orthodontic treatment, designed to gently shift teeth into their proper positions and create a beautifully aligned smile. Whether you’re dealing with crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or misaligned teeth, braces work by applying consistent, gentle pressure over time to move your teeth and jaw into optimal alignment. This process not only enhances your appearance but also plays a crucial role in improving oral health.

The journey to a straight smile begins with an initial consultation with an orthodontist. During this visit, your orthodontist will carefully examine your teeth, jaw, and bite to identify any orthodontic issues and develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan outlines the best approach for your unique needs, whether you require traditional metal braces for complex cases or prefer more discreet options like ceramic braces or clear aligners for mild to moderate concerns.

Once you begin treatment, your braces—whether metal, ceramic, or clear aligners—start to work by applying gradual pressure to your upper and lower teeth. Over time, this gentle force encourages your teeth to move into their correct positions. For some patients, additional orthodontic options such as palate expanders or rubber bands may be recommended to address specific dental issues or jaw alignment concerns.

Throughout your braces journey, you’ll visit your orthodontist regularly for adjustments. These appointments, typically every 4-6 weeks, are essential for ensuring your teeth are moving as planned. Adjustments may involve tightening wires, changing rubber bands, or making other modifications to keep your treatment on track. While it’s normal to experience some discomfort after adjustments, most people find that any soreness is mild and temporary. Many adults choose to wear braces despite these minor inconveniences, knowing that the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term discomfort.

Braces do more than just straighten teeth—they also make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene. Properly aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing the risk of plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. By correcting bite issues and ensuring your teeth fit together properly, braces can also help prevent jaw pain, tooth loss, and other dental problems down the road.

Whether you’re an adult seeking a confident smile or a parent considering early treatment for your child, braces offer a proven way to address a wide range of orthodontic concerns. With a customized treatment plan and the support of your orthodontist, you can look forward to a healthier mouth, improved self-esteem, and a beautifully straight smile that lasts a lifetime.

What Dental Problems Can Braces Fix?

Braces can offer solutions for numerous dental issues, including:

• Crooked or crowded teeth, often caused by not enough room in the jaw for all the permanent teeth to align properly

• Gaps between teeth

• Overbites, where the upper teeth extend too far over the lower teeth, leading to teeth overlap; mild overbites can be corrected with braces

• Underbites and crossbites, involving misalignment between the upper teeth and lower teeth

• Open bite, a condition where the upper teeth and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed, affecting chewing, speech, and appearance

• Impacted teeth, such as canines that do not erupt properly and remain stuck in the gums

• Severe cases of bite problems, where teeth may stick out between the lips and require more comprehensive orthodontic intervention

Early evaluation is important to monitor the eruption and alignment of permanent teeth and address issues before they become more complex.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding occurs when there is not enough space in the mouth for all of the teeth to fit properly. As a result, the teeth often shift out of their natural position, leading to a crooked and overlapping teeth alignment. Overcrowding can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetic disposition, extra adult teeth, early loss of baby teeth, and unusually large teeth.

Fortunately, braces can fix overcrowding by gently moving teeth into their correct position, which can enhance your oral health and prevent more severe problems in the long term, such as jaw misalignment and gum disease.

Misaligned Jaw

Jaw misalignment is a frequently seen issue that can be fixed with braces. This condition may develop due to an injury or developmental problems, or your jaw may be misaligned at birth. A misaligned jaw may occur in three ways:

1. Overbite: occurs when the top teeth protrude too far over the bottom teeth.

2. Underbite: happens when the lower jaw extends further forward than the upper jaw.

3. Crossbite: develops when your teeth don’t fit comfortably over each other. Oftentimes, the top teeth bite down on the inside of the bottom teeth.

In most cases, getting braces can help correct misaligned jaws, leading to improved functionality.

Uneven Spacing

Also known as diastema, uneven spacing is a relatively common complaint, especially between the two upper front teeth. Although most patients wish to correct uneven spacing for cosmetic reasons, this condition can also increase your risk of developing gum disease. You may be at higher risk for gum disease because the excess space can make it easier for food and other particles to get trapped between your teeth.

Chewing and Speech Difficulties

Your teeth play an important role in the way you chew and swallow your food, as well as how you form words. When your teeth are not properly aligned, it can lead to considerable difficulties with eating and speaking. Braces can help shift the teeth into a comfortable position, enabling you to fully articulate your words and chew your food.

Periodontal Disease

Although braces cannot fix or heal periodontal diseases, braces can help prevent these conditions from developing. Problems like overcrowding and jaw misalignment can make it difficult to brush and floss each of your teeth adequately. When you cannot access certain teeth due to their position, it greatly increases the risk of cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis, and more.

Which Braces are Right for Me?

There are various different kinds of braces, each with its own advantages, including:

• Metal braces

• Clear aligners

• Invisalign

• Lingual braces

• Clear braces – a discreet option made from ceramic materials that blend with your teeth, offering aesthetic benefits compared to metal braces.

• Self ligating braces – feature a built-in system to hold the archwire, which can mean fewer office visits and potentially faster treatment times.

Which braces you choose will depend primarily on your orthodontic needs, age, and affordability. For less complex dental issues, like a minor overbite or uneven spacing, clear aligners and Invisalign may be suitable. However, you may need traditional braces, clear braces, or self ligating braces for more complicated problems, such as severe underbites or overcrowding. In some cases, your orthodontist may recommend using a palate expander along with braces to create additional space in the mouth and help correct issues like crowding or bite problems.

Get Orthodontic Care at Abra Dental

At Abra Dental, we understand how important it is to treat dental issues early on. Based on your initial evaluation, your doctor at Abra Dental can accurately diagnose any dental problems you may be having as well as recommend the best type of braces for your individual needs. Make an appointment at Abra Dental today to learn more about our comprehensive orthodontic and primary care.