TOP ORTHODONTICS WITH THE BEST BRACES

Orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces is the most popular orthodontic treatment available today. Very lightweight and durable, the brackets Dr. Elena Black chooses to use are low profile, with curved edges, and much more comfortable than braces in the past. Metal braces have truly stood the test of time and will continue to be a great option for getting that beautiful, functional smile with new, smaller and enhanced characteristics.

When you first get braces, Dr. Elena Black and her smile squad at Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg will explain the parts and process so you will have an understanding of each component and how it works to create your smile. In general, braces have five main components that work together to move your teeth into the proper alignment. Depending on your specific treatment requirements, you may have all or less of the following components placed during orthodontic treatment. 

WHY DO I NEED BRACES?

Not only is a straightened smile aesthetically pleasing, it also allows the teeth and jaw to function properly, creating lifelong improved oral health. Dr. Black offers the best braces with top orthodontics. Some of the most important, clearly proven benefits of orthodontic treatment are:

• Improved aesthetic for a more attractive smile
• Correctly aligned teeth that provide ideal jaw function and prevent uneven wear of the teeth
• Well-aligned teeth that are easier to clean and more resistant to gum disease
• Most importantly, orthodontics almost always provides improved self-confidence

The preteen to early teen years is usually the ideal time to help guide the teeth into proper alignment as the face and jaw grow, although it is never too late to improve your smile. Dr. Elena Black has treated patients as young as 7 and as old as 72! However, the real reason orthodontic treatment is important and necessary is that you have been diagnosed with malocclusion. A malocclusion is defined as the imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaw is closed. There are many types of bite irregularities that can affect the function of your jaw and the health of your teeth. Some of the more common malocclusions are:

• Crowding – This condition occurs when there is not adequate room for the permanent teeth to erupt straight. It can result in overlapping teeth, rotated or crooked teeth, and it can even prevent permanent teeth from erupting (known as impaction).
• Spacing – Extra space in the jaw can create large gaps between teeth. This can occur when permanent teeth are smaller than normal or there are missing permanent teeth. This can also occur due to certain oral habits, such as tongue thrust or finger sucking.
• Rotation – A tooth or teeth can be rotated or turn out of their normal position when there is crowding within the permanent teeth.
• Crossbite – A crossbite occurs when any or all of the upper teeth are positioned significantly inside or outside the lower teeth. A crossbite can make teeth more vulnerable to excessive wear and chipping.
• Open bite – An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet, creating an opening straight into the mouth. Since not all teeth share equally in the biting force, this condition may lead to premature wear of the only teeth that do touch.
• Misplaced midline – When teeth are properly aligned, the centerline between the upper front teeth matches the centerline of the lower front teeth. If you are missing teeth or have had a permanent tooth extracted, it can affect the midline of your upper arch.
• Increased overjet (mistakenly known in lay terms as an overbite ) – Seen often in children who have sucked their thumbs or used a pacifier for an extended time, the upper front teeth extend significantly further outward when compared to the lower teeth. This type of malocclusion is usually referred to as “buck teeth.” and can be present even in the absence of any significant oral habits.

CLEANING TIPS & CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOODS WITH BRACES

At Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg, we have a few recommendations that can help keep your teeth and braces clean and in good working order. Cleaning your braces properly and eating the right foods is essential to the success of your smile treatment. Check out our top tips below!

OUR BRACES, THE BEST BRACES ARE PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA

Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg is proud to use USA-made braces to help ensure excellent treatment outcomes.