A person’s smile is a reflection of more than just happiness. A pleasant smile is a mark of confidence, it also is indicative of the general health of the individual. If, when you smile, it shows crooked and misaligned teeth then the time has come for you to make an appointment with the best orthodontist in Orlando. This is absolutely no reason why you should have to hide your mouth behind your hand when you smile or laugh, there are affordable ways to realign teeth which are crooked into a healthy, straight smile.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental professional who, after spending four years in dental school has gone on for an additional two or three years of additional study in orthodontics. Orthodontists, using traditional metal braces or the ever more popular invisible aligner, align the patient’s teeth. As important as aligning the teeth is, an orthodontist corrects an over or under bite.
Crooked teeth, improper bite and teeth which are crowded into the oral cavity can easily lead to teeth decay and gum problems. These problems occur because misaligned and overlapping teeth are difficult to clean properly. A bad bite can also be problematic for an individual when he or she eats or talks.
A person’s general dentist is often the first to realize that specialist care is required and they refer the patient to the best orthodontist in Orlando. Although general dentists can deal with minor problems they are most likely to refer cases which are complicated to the specialist. After the first visit to the orthodontist the patient will know what has to be done to straighten their teeth to perfection.
What does an orthodontist do with teeth?
The orthodontist has a number of dental appliances and procedures that are available to him or her to straighten teeth. One such appliance which is rapidly gaining in popularity is invisible aligners. This concept consists of a series of clear plastic aligners, each one a little bit different than the others. About every two weeks the next aligner in the series is used, slowly aligning the teeth in accordance with the original plan made by the orthodontist.
Traditional metal braces are still the most common way to straighten teeth. These appliances consist of metal brackets which are attached to the teeth with a special adhesive. The orthodontist strings wire through the brackets, the wires are tightened about once a month and over time the teeth are slowly pulled into position.
A straight smile is a healthy and confident smile. Rather than hiding your teeth your hand or simply refusing to smile, visit the best orthodontist in Orlando and learn more about the options that are available to you.