Orthodontics

New Baltimore, MI

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Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry specializing in the prevention and treatment of malocclusions and maxillofacial defects. An orthodontist studies the development and growth of your teeth, jaw, and facial structure, diagnosing and eliminating the imperfections regarding your teeth misalignments. In the past, orthodontics dealt mainly with children and adolescents. The dynamic development of this field of dentistry has made it possible to improve the appearance of adult teeth as well. Orthodontic treatment enables the correct positioning of your teeth, correction of malocclusion, and achieving the right proportions of the lower and middle sections of your face. After diagnosing the problem, your dentist will propose correcting the irregularities with the use of various orthodontic appliances, such as traditional braces.

What Are Traditional Braces?

Traditional braces, glued to individual teeth, are currently the most commonly used orthodontic devices despite other teeth-straightening options available on the dental market. There are several varieties available, such as metal or colorless ceramic. Brackets are sealed onto your teeth using an adhesive, and the arch attached to them exerts a displacing force. The archwire is replaced as treatment progresses with a thicker and stronger one. Wires hold orthodontic ligatures that come in many colors, making the braces attractive to younger patients and aesthetically pleasing.

How Can Traditional Braces Help You?

At Great Lakes Dental Excellence, we understand that the aesthetics of the procedure are almost as significant as the procedure itself. Many alternative options are available when focusing on teeth-straightening treatments, but the effectiveness of traditional braces did not manage to be replaced by later orthodontic advancements. Traditional braces remain the gold standard in orthodontic therapy, and for that reason alone, current innovations enhance the experience and aesthetics of wire brackets without sacrificing exceptional results. How can traditional braces impact your smile and oral health?

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Overcrowded Teeth

Teeth crowding is a self-explanatory problem that occurs quite often and is usually relatively easy to manage, especially if addressed promptly by your dentist. On the other hand, many people underestimate overcrowded teeth, risking more than the aesthetics of their smile.

Teeth crowding is when the teeth do not fit within the dental arch. They are then set too tightly, which causes them to become crooked, sometimes simultaneously weakening the jaw bones. Overcrowded teeth are considered a separate disease entity, but the problem can develop into a form in which the unsightly appearance will become merely a side issue. Teeth crowding can cause numerous problems in your mouth, including

  • Persistent aesthetic defects,
  • Increased risk of tooth decay due to difficulty in maintaining proper oral hygiene,
  • The risk of developing other malocclusions due to poor habits,
  • Risk of bone loss

Traditional braces will apply enough gradual pressure to align your teeth to their natural position.

Diastema

Some consider it an aesthetic defect while others as an alluring advantage. Diastema can have many causes, sometimes requiring specialist intervention. Diastema is a characteristic gap between the upper front teeth. It may appear in two and three-year-old children in their primary teeth and disappear spontaneously when replaced with permanent dentition. Primary teeth are smaller, so the distance between them might be greater. Diastema arises due to abnormalities in the structure or number of teeth or as a result of an injury. It can be harmless but sometimes might lead to difficulties in articulation, periodontal disease, or malocclusion. A small gap is not considered a threat, and there are no medical grounds for its elimination. However, patients might still want to correct their smile if desired.

One of the methods of correcting diastema is by using traditional braces. The appliance will correct the position of your teeth relative to each other.

Misaligned Jaw

Misaligned jaw can be a problem resulting from malocclusions, such as crooked or overcrowded teeth, or be an oral health concern on its own. One issue might trigger the next, and a misaligned jaw can and will cause further oral problems, such as impacting your temporal mandibular joint (TMJ), developing pain, and other complications requiring treatment. By correcting malocclusions and uneven bites with an orthodontic device, the health of your jaw will also be restored.

Open Bites

An open bite is a complex orthodontic defect consisting of no contact between the upper and lower teeth, where they do not touch each other in a vertical plane. Depending on how advanced your open bite is, it may be more or less visible. Technically, patients who have an open bite have incomplete overlapping of incisors. Your upper teeth may not be in contact with your lower teeth at all or only partially, creating a space that can lead to many serious consequences and even deformation of your facial features. At Great Lakes Dental Excellence, our dentist can diagnose the presence of an open bite during an initial examination and dental check-up. Open bites are treated with traditional braces.

Malocclusions

Two of the most common malocclusions that affect your facial structure are overbites and underbites. They can lead to dysfunction of the chewing and biting mechanisms and lead to other potential oral issues. Traditional braces will effectively correct your bite, allowing you to enjoy all kinds of foods without any issues.

Gum Disease

Severely misaligned teeth can lead to periodontal issues as malocclusions tend to make regular oral hygiene a challenging task. When proper brushing and flossing is an unmanageable problem, you are at an increased risk of developing tooth decay and gingivitis. In some cases, oral surgery might be the only issue if the problem is not addressed promptly by applying orthodontic treatment.

How We Can Help You

Treatment with traditional braces is an adjustment for everyone involved. Whether the orthodontic therapy is for you or your child, our specialists at Great Lakes Dental Excellence will assist you all the way throughout the entire teeth-straightening process. It is important to learn proper oral hygiene with the braces on and make sure they fit comfortably on your teeth. Our team is ready to diagnose the issue, choose the right orthodontic treatment, and provide assistance during the alignment process.

What Makes Us Different

Latest Technology

Latest Technology

Our digital X-rays and impressions are designed for the comfort of our patients.

Flexible Financing

Flexible Financing

No dental insurance? No problem. Dental care is affordable with our interest-free financing options.

Digital Scans

Digital Scans

Our digital scans eliminate unpleasant, goopy impression material while increasing accuracy.

Electronic Records

Electronic Records

Your records are safe at our digital, paperless, and eco-friendly dental office. Protected health information is guaranteed.

Friendly Treatment

Friendly Treatment

Our team is made up of caring, helpful, and knowledgeable individuals that offer gentle dental care. Customer service at its finest.

Excellence Approach

Excellence Approach

Our team is trained to not only treat oral health problems but also provide top preventative services.