Orthodontic care is a crucial part of maintaining the health, beauty, and function of your smile. A proper bite and straighter teeth can have positive many benefits, along with improved oral hygiene. When your teeth are crooked, they often are harder to clean and floss. Without proper care, you are more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. If you’ve been thinking about straightening your teeth, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about orthodontics.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of crooked teeth or poor bite. By implementing customized appliances, orthodontics helps you achieve straighter teeth and a healthy bite.
Who is an Orthodontist?
An Orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an American Dental Association accredited graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics. An orthodontist can diagnose and treat dental abnormalities, jaw/bite problems and straighten your teeth with the use of braces and orthodontic appliances.
What Can Orthodontic Treatment Fix?
Orthodontic treatment in Ft. Collins, CO, can fix a variety of issues surrounding your teeth. It can fix an overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, misplaced midline, uneven spacing, crowding, and crooked teeth.
What’s The Best Age to go to an Orthodontist?
You don’t have to be a teen to seek out orthodontic treatment. If you are unhappy with your smile and looking to get braces or Invisalign, you can come at any age! For children, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that parents make an appointment for an initial consultation around seven years of age. At that time the doctor can evaluate the child to determine if treatment is necessary. Early intervention can lessen overall treatment time. Adults can be seen by an orthodontist at any time. In fact, 1 in every 5 patients at King Orthodontics are over 21.
What Are My Orthodontic Options?
Here at Crane and Seager, we offer traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and Invisalign. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, at Crane & Seager Orthodontics, we recommend ceramic braces for older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. Many patients at Crane & Seager Orthodontics ask about our Invisalign treatment in our Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado offices. These clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces.
If you are looking for a straighter smile and are not sure where to start, you should start by coming in for a consultation. Schedule your appointment today!
