The Journey to a Straighter Smile: Orthodontic Insights Unlock Your Best Smile with Professional Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment Louisville KY is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on straightening misaligned teeth and jaws, typically involving the use of braces or other orthodontic appliances to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of the teeth. The procedure tackles concern such as misaligned, overcrowded, or overlapping teeth, plus issues with the occlusion (the upper and lower teeth coming together).

Examples of Treatments Used in Orthodontics

A variety of orthodontic treatment Louisville KY appliances may be employed to shift teeth, or to stabilize their position. These include:

Tiny brackets are attached to the front or back of each tooth, and a wire is then tied to them as part of fixed braces. The gentle, consistent pressure of the wire gradually shifts the teeth.

Invisible braces, also referred to as clear aligners, comprise a series of custom-molded plastic components that fit over the teeth and gradually move them. You typically need to wear clear aligners for 20-22 hours daily, but you can remove them to eat, drink and clean them.

Elastics – these small rubber bands are stretched between upper and lower braces to provide additional force for moving the teeth.

A plate is a type of dental appliance that consists of a plastic base which is worn in the mouth; it functions by utilizing wires and springs to facilitate the movement of teeth or hold them stable. Unlike fixed braces, the plate can be removed from the mouth.

In severe cases, removal through surgery may be necessary for buried teeth, or it may be performed to facilitate their extraction. Surgery can also be beneficial in cases where there is an issue with the jaws, or to enhance the results of orthodontic treatment.

Examples of Common Orthodontic Issues.

An overbite occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth more than they normally should. When your teeth are clenched, you would normally expect to see roughly half of your lower teeth. Seeing less than half can indicate an excessive overbite.

A condition where the bottom jaw protrudes or sits further forward than its normal position. When the mouth is in a closed position, the lower central teeth are positioned in front of the upper central teeth.

Teeth that stick out – typically when the upper jawbone is positioned ahead of the lower jawbone. When your teeth are clenched together, you would expect the upper teeth to rest against the inside of the lower lip. If they sit over the lower lip, this could be an indication of protruding teeth. People with protruding teeth are more susceptible to tooth damage or loss following accidents and may experience difficulties with speech or eating. Numerous individuals opt to correct protruding teeth for aesthetic purposes.

When teeth are overcrowded, they can't fit properly, leading to crooked or overlapped teeth that may not erupt fully. This can be caused by either large teeth, a small jaw, or both conditions.

Excessive spacing – when there is an abundance of available space. The issue can be triggered by small teeth, misaligned teeth, missing teeth, teeth that do not erupt fully, a wide jaw, or a combination of multiple factors.