shirley adult and kid braces

When you have misalignment, your overall oral health could suffer and you could feel self-conscious about your smile’s appearance. To correct this, you need orthodontics like braces. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about how we can help smiles of all ages, kids and adults alike, with metal braces.

The Causes of Dental Misalignment and Dangers for Oral Health

How do kids and adults develop dental misalignment? In childhood, these issues could develop when there are complications with the eruption and loss of the primary teeth, which in turn impact how the permanent ones arrive. Likewise, thumb sucking and tongue thrusting could alter the position of the teeth too. As we grow, poor alignment could occur due to premature lost teeth, or issues with the growth and development of oral structures and the jaw. Without treatment, these could make thorough brushing and flossing difficult, leaving teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. The pressure on the jaw could then lead to issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), and lack of confidence in the appearance of the smile.

Braces

First, our team will thoroughly examine the smile with digital technology, assessing the cause and extent of your or your child’s misalignment. If these are the right choice, we will then attach metal brackets to the front facing sides of each tooth. We then connect the brackets with an arch wire, using bands to hold them together. There could also be bands connecting the upper and lower arch braces. Our team will adjust tension in the wire to begin shifting the teeth and correcting alignment, often in about two years. For young children, we will begin with phased orthodontics and move onto braces in the teen years. We can also help adults too!

Ceramic Brackets

Our team could help make the upper set less visible by using ceramic to create brackets instead of metal. Ceramic is a durable material that can be color matched to blend with the smile, which is why we use the same material for crowns too! These help your orthodontics better match your smile and are often preferred by our teen and adult patients. However, they are less durable than metal options.

If you have any questions about treating misalignment, then contact our team today to learn more about our braces or any of our other orthodontic options, such as Invisalign®!

Time to Visit Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist!

Our team is ready to help every member of your family enjoy an even smile. To learn more about the options for correcting smiles of all ages, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.