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Crooked, crowded or overlapping teeth can prompt you to hide your smile or seek out treatment with an experienced dentist.
Of course, orthodontics can straighten your teeth, but treatment is about more than smile aesthetics. In other words, there are many reasons to seek out a dentist or orthodontist in Northern Beaches.
This blog explores the orthodontic treatments we offer at United Dental Clinic, what to expect during treatment, and when to book an evaluation.
What Is Orthodontic Dental Treatment?
Orthodontic dental treatment is any system or series of treatments designed to straighten your teeth or align your bite. There are various reasons why patients seek this type of treatment, but typically, it is to enhance the smile’s appearance.
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend orthodontics for other reasons, which we explore later in this blog.
Orthodontic Dental Treatment Options at United Dental Clinic
We’re pleased to offer the following orthodontic solutions:
- Tooth-Coloured Braces
- Traditional Metal Braces
- Invisalign® Clear Aligners
We design our tooth-coloured braces to better blend into dental enamel, offering a more discreet solution from Orthodontic Dentist. Traditional metal braces are like our tooth-coloured option.
Invisalign is different and relies on clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth discreetly. The Invisalign lab creates your supply of aligners from impressions we take of your teeth.
Northern Beaches Orthodontics: When to Contact a Dentist or Orthodontist
Here are the top reasons to consider orthodontics:
Smile Aesthetics
We want you to love your smile, and Northern Beaches Orthodontics can help you do that. Issues that braces and Invisalign can correct include:
- Bite Misalignment
- Protruding Teeth
- Gaps Between Teeth
- Twisted and Overcrowded Teeth
Bite Issues
Overbites, underbites, open bites and cross bites may not be super obvious when looking in the mirror, but these issues can significantly impact your teeth and general oral function. In some cases, these issues (when not addressed through orthodontics) can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, temporomandibular joint disorder, speech issues and difficulty eating and breathing correctly.
Unusual or Irregular Spacing
Unusual and irregular gaps between teeth can be aesthetic issues, but these open spaces also stress your jaw and leave your smile vulnerable to trapped food and debris, leading to tooth decay.
We recommend contacting an orthodontic dentist if:
- You’re unhappy with your smile’s alignment
- You suspect Jaw joint dysfunction (jaw pain)
- You notice an increase in tooth decay
- You notice breathing or speech-related issues
- You simply want an orthodontic assessment
Benefits of Invisalign
Braces and Invisalign have similar benefits after treatment, but what about during? Invisalign indeed offers distinct advantages during your time in orthodontics.
- Comfortable Aligners: Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic for ease of wear and comfort. Ask your dentist what to expect.
- Easier Oral Hygiene: You can remove your aligners to clean your teeth, making brushing and flossing much easier.
- No Eating Restrictions: You can also remove your Invisalign aligners when eating, so there are no food restrictions—nothing can get caught in brackets or wires.
- Discreet Treatment: Invisalign is ideal for patients who don’t want to draw attention to their orthodontic treatment.
- Fewer Dental Appointments: With Invisalign, there are no wires to tighten, so you only visit the dental clinic occasionally for monitoring.
Benefits of Straight Teeth
Whether you straighten your teeth with traditional braces, tooth-coloured braces or Invisalign clear aligners, you’ll appreciate the benefits.
With straight teeth and an aligned bite, you put less pressure on your teeth and jaw joints, lowering your risk of tooth decay, fractures, and jaw joint discomfort.
Straight teeth are also easier to brush and floss effectively. When teeth are overlapping or crowded, it’s difficult to work dental floss through these tight spaces. Additionally, toothbrush bristles reach fewer critical areas. There are simply too many crowded nooks for debris to collect when teeth are not aligned.
Orthodontics as Part of a Smile Makeover
You can choose braces or Invisalign alone or incorporate orthodontics into a smile makeover that can include veneers, implants, teeth whitening and other options. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, it’s all about you and your personal goals.
Of course, your dentist can plan treatment carefully and work on a timeline that considers your schedule and budget.
Are You a Candidate for Northern Beaches Orthodontics?
Your dentist or orthodontist in Northern Beaches will evaluate you for candidacy. This initial visit to the dental clinic includes a comprehensive exam and x-rays (especially if you’re a new patient or we have no current or relevant films on file).
At this appointment, we will determine your candidacy, discuss costs, and determine how long you will be in treatment. We will also answer any questions you might have.
You may be an immediate candidate or the dentist or orthodontist in Northern Beaches may have to address specific issues beforehand. For example, we sometimes extract a tooth if there is overcrowding. We also treat issues like tooth decay if found during your assessment.
Orthodontic Steps at a Glance
- Step #1: Your Orthodontic Assessment — Learn how orthodontics can work for your smile goals and oral comfort.
- Step #2: Start Orthodontic Treatment — Follow your dentist’s instructions for orthodontic or Invisalign home care and check in periodically for treatment monitoring and progress checks.
- Step #3: Wear Your Retainer: At the end of treatment, we provide a custom retainer. This retainer, worn at night, protects your investment and guards against orthodontic relapse.
Are You Looking for a Dentist or Orthodontist in Northern Beaches?
It’s time to see a dentist or orthodontist if you dislike your smile or have issues related to tooth misalignment.
We welcome your call if you want more information about orthodontics (braces and Invisalign) or are ready to book your consultation with the dentist.
We encourage you to look into our current dental specials, such as our free Invisalign consultation in Northern Beaches. It is available at the time of this writing. A friendly dental team member can talk to you about this special, including limits and exclusions.
We also accept financing through Denticare. Please ask us for details on how to apply.
The team at United Dental Clinic looks forward to helping you restore your smile and well-being.