Teeth whitening is a quick and easy surface solution to improve already straight teeth, but what if you have crooked teeth, too? Orthodontics may be for you.
Orthodontics don’t just improve aesthetics. They can be important for addressing serious bite issues that could hurt your quality of life. Early intervention with a child’s bite could prevent big problems in the future.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics are a variety of treatments designed to guide and correct a bad bite, or even to prevent a bad bite from developing. A bad bite can include obvious problems such as an over- or underbite, or seemingly benign things such as crooked or crowded teeth, or teeth with gaps. A bad bite can cause uneven wear on the teeth as well as jaw pain, and trouble eating or speaking properly. A straight smile isn’t just healthy, it looks good, too!
Many people tend to think of orthodontics as a treatment for children and teens. Early childhood problems such as thumb sucking can certainly have a big impact on teeth development. Addressing potential bite problems early can help prevent worse problems later, so early orthodontic treatment can be important. This is not to say that adults cannot also benefit from orthodontics – an improved bite and healthier smile is possible at any age.
Treatment at Bella Smiles
As a member of the American Orthodontic Society, Dr. Lotardo can provide full orthodontic treatment in the Bella Smiles family dentistry office. Particularly for young or growing families, it can be very convenient meeting all of your family’s oral health needs in one place. Dr. Lotardo will monitor your child’s mouth development throughout their childhood, and can provide recommendations to prevent problems from developing.
When you are interested in beginning full orthodontic treatment, Dr. Lotardo will meet with you one-on-one to discuss the specifics of your mouth health and advise a course of treatment. Dr. Lotardo offers two courses of orthodontic treatment: traditional metal braces, and Invisalign® clear retainers.
Metal Braces vs. Invisalign®
Metal braces are probably the orthodontic device you are most familiar with. They consist of small metal brackets cemented to the teeth and connected by a wire. Dr. Lotardo will periodically tighten the wire to gradually shift the teeth. Metal braces are designed to be used with a variety of oral appliances for more dramatic changes. They are able to address severe bite or alignment issues and are often the best choice for young patients.
Invisalign® invisible braces are a series of comfortable clear plastic aligners that work to reposition the teeth. Because of the technique used, Invisalign® is best suited for people with minor cosmetic or oral health concerns. This option is more subtle than metal braces, so it is very popular among teens and adults.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have a bad bite or are unhappy with with look of your smile, schedule an appointment with Dr. Lotardo today. Call our Riverhead office at (631) 574-3898, or our Roslyn office at (516) 619-8099, or schedule a visit online.