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"Why do I need braces?" This is the question that so many parents, and children, ask as they consider orthodontic care. While there are many reasons why you or your child may need braces or invisalign, it really only comes down to just a few issues. We're going to cover many of the reasons you may need braces.
Dr. M is happy to provide a free consultation to anyone who feels like they may need braces. Align Orthodontics sees all kinds of cases, but the most common reasons patients need orthodontic care are crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. We also often see cases where speech is the driving motivator for braces, but it's a little less common than reasons such as underbite or overbite.
Crowded teeth, known as crowding or overlapping teeth, is one of the main reasons patients will need braces. If you have an orthodontic crowding issue where it seems like there just isn't enough space in your mouth for your teeth, crowding is definitely a problem. There are actually a lot of benefits from fixing crowded teeth. For example, it's easier to brush and clean your teeth with proper spacing. Reducing tooth crowding not only helps to prevent both cavities and plaque, but it can also give patients an amazing, wide smile that you'll want to show off.
Gaps, spacing, or sometimes missing teeth cause spacing issues in your mouth. Spacing is one of the most common reasons a patient will need orthodontic care. Patients will often notice spacing if the teeth just aren't lined up side to side. Often times this is an esthetic issue - which means that the patient may not like how their smile looks with their teeth so far spaced apart. But spacing is also an oral health issue. Appropriately spaced teeth can protect the gums from food getting stuck there.
An underbite is an orthodontic term that refers to your lower teeth being too far forward, and sometimes overlapping your top teeth. A lot of patients don't really notice underbite because the teeth may not actually overlap. However, mild cases like this can cause tooth misalignment that causes biting or eating issues. Generally, underbite feels like your bottom and top teeth don't fit together very well, and it may even cause jaw pain.
Many people may not realize that bottom and top teeth alignment is one of the most common reasons people need braces.
If you guessed that overbite is the opposite of underbite, you would be correct! An overbite is an orthodontic term that refers to your lower teeth being too far backward, and sometimes causing your upper teeth to look like they stick out too far. If you have an overbite, you're going to likely have some of the same issues as an underbite, just in reverse. It may still feel like your teeth don't fit very well together.
Crossbite is a little different than overbite and underbite. Crossbite is a type of orthodontic condition where the teeth may shift to one side or the other. It may look like someone's bottom and top teeth don't really line up. Crossbite can affect how your teeth work together.
Similar to overbite and underbite, it may feel like your teeth aren't really lining up, which can cause pain or even issues with speaking or eating. Crossbite can also cause certain teeth to rub against each other in a way that wears down your teeth.
While speech impediments aren't usually the primary reason patients need braces, Dr. M does see cases where braces can fix speech issues. Patients often don't really consider how the teeth can affect speech. The interaction between teeth and our tongue is very important for making certain sounds. If there is an orthodontic issue causing speech problems, or a speech impediment, patients may have a hard time with "t", "ch" and "s" sounds. Sometimes speech impediments can cause whistling, or airy sounds while talking. If you believe you or your child has a speech impediment that may be alleviated by orthodontic care, please schedule a consultation with us. When it comes to speech issues, there may be many causes, not just orthodontic-related. A consultation with Dr. M can help clear up what is really needed.
We are serious about beautiful smiles. We want you to be proud of your smile and show it off!
At Align Orthodontics, Dr. M creates "Wow! Smiles" by applying extensive orthodontic experience and artistic execution in a friendly environment for both adults and children. When our patients’ course of treatment is finished and they see their smile for the first time, they often respond with one word--"Wow!"
Dr. Majznerski has over 30 years of experience providing some of the best smiles in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan regions. He considers patients and parents as friends. Every day he looks forward to the friendly bantering with kids and teens.
