Crooked teeth are more than just a little embarrassment when you smile. They are more difficult to keep clean, they can cause damage to the surface and roots of other teeth and they can cause extra strain on your facial muscles and bones when eating. ![\"orthodontist](\"https:\/\/www.emergencydentistsusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/orthodontist-chicago-300x231.jpg\")
With so many quick and cheap techniques now available for straightening teeth, there is no longer any excuse for living with crooked teeth. Contact a Chicago orthodontist to see which technique is best suited to the needs of your mouth, and start down the path to a beautiful and healthy smile with straight teeth. <\/p>\n
An orthodontist specializes in the area of dentistry focused on diagnosing and correcting the causes of misaligned teeth and jaws. Orthodontists receive an additional 3 years of education and training beyond the normal dentistry program and must perform a rigorous orthodontic residency at a qualified clinic. <\/p>\n
It is recommended that everyone visit an orthodontist to have their mouths checked for potentially dangerous irregularities that might be forming. Children should see an orthodontist by the age of 7 at the latest. Misalignments can lead to many serious issues, such as maintaining oral health, difficulty eating, and even speech defects, so it is extremely important to catch any problems early and begin a treatment regimen to correct them. <\/p>\n
The most common misalignment orthodontists treat are: <\/p>\n
\u2022 Anteroposterior Deviations : these are more commonly known as an “overbite” or “underbite”, where one row of teeth stick out further than the other causing issues with speech and eating <\/p>\n
\u2022 Overcrowding: this is the most common issue in orthodontics. Adult teeth simply do not have the space to grow in straight, leading to misaligned or crooked teeth <\/p>\n
\u2022Aesthetic Issues: misalignments can be so extreme that the entire face is distorted. Orthodontists are able to provide cosmetic services to the entire face to achieve a more natural look <\/p>\n
How Are Teeth and Jaws Realigned? <\/p>\n
The orthodontist will make impressions of the teeth and take X-rays of the jaws to help determine a comprehensive treatment for each patient. The techniques that may be used include: <\/p>\n
\u2022 Dental Braces: braces are the most common treatment. They use brackets attached to individual teeth and connected by a wire to apply pressure on the teeth and force them to straighten <\/p>\n
\u2022 Headgear and Facemasks: The are additional features to braces that will straighten misaligned jaws as well as the teeth <\/p>\n
\u2022 Retainers: Retainers are used to maintain the new teeth and jaw alignment until the jaw settles permanently into its new shape <\/p>\n
All of these treatments and more are available from Chicago orthodontics offices. Below is a detailed list of Chicago orthodontists to help you find the right office for your needs. <\/p>\n