The general answer is, whenever you have a concern about crowded or crooked teeth, bite problems, or other issues that relate to the alignment of the teeth and jaws. You don\u2019t generally need a referral to make an appointment for an orthodontic consultation. In some instances, however, your general dentist may recommend that you see an orthodontist for a particular problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a parent, you should be aware the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have an orthodontic examination by age 7. <\/span>By that age, orthodontists can usually determine if braces or corrective appliances are necessary. Treating certain conditions now is quicker and easier as teeth and jaws develop rapidly during this time. Orthodontists can also offer effective treatment for children with persistent thumb-sucking, mouth-breathing and tongue-thrusting habits.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the benefits of orthodontics don\u2019t cease after you reach adulthood. In fact, it\u2019s never too late to move teeth that are otherwise healthy. Today, around twenty percent of current orthodontic patients are adults. A number of alternatives to traditional metal braces are available, including colorless brackets, clear aligners, and lingual braces; many prefer these appliances because they give them a more \u201cnatural\u201d look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why See an Orthodontist?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are many reasons to seek orthodontic treatment. One is: if you feel your teeth are crooked, misaligned or otherwise less than perfect, making you hesitant to smile or self-conscious in social situations. Another is: if you\u2019re having trouble chewing or speaking or your jaws don\u2019t seem to close properly. Still another is to restore your teeth to proper appearance and function after trauma, or to help a dentist give you that perfect smile with porcelain veneers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people find that the results of orthodontic treatment are noticeably pleasing. As part of a smile makeover, orthodontics can indeed seem to work magic. But improved aesthetics isn\u2019t the only benefit of treatment: Teeth with proper spacing and alignment are much easier to clean\u2014and the ability to maintain good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your teeth looking great\u2026 forever. So orthodontics can be an excellent long-term investment in your smile\u2019s appearance and your oral health.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an orthodontist? Chances are, it\u2019s braces. If you haven\u2019t visited an orthodontic office (or a middle school) lately, you may be picturing the silvery metal brackets that run straight across an adolescent\u2019s smile. If that\u2019s the case, here\u2019s some information that may surprise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":14308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,59],"tags":[490,483,249,497],"class_list":["post-14306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dental-practice","category-oral-health","tag-orthodontic-problems","tag-orthodontic-treatments","tag-orthodontics","tag-orthodontist"],"yoast_head":"\n