Who is an orthodontist, and when should we see one?
Orthodontists specialize in misaligned teeth and jaws. Therefore, anyone who has such issues with their teeth can visit an orthodontist near them. While people of all ages can visit an orthodontist to get their teeth checked, parents should take their kids to orthodontists as a precautionary measure to avoid any significant problems in the future. Aside from the visual aspect, conditions such as overbite, underbite, or crooked teeth can cause problems with speech, chewing, and jaw clenching.
Parents must take children between 7 and 14 to orthodontics to ensure they're not developing malocclusion. If they do, early treatment can prevent the condition from manifesting severely. Orthodontists have experience in identifying minute problems in the jaws and teeth. Children can sometimes have permanent teeth emerging while they still have baby teeth, which an orthodontist should immediately check.
Getting your kid checked by an orthodontist will ensure the doctor can guide the jaw growth, lower the risk of an overbite, correct harmful oral habits, improve appearance, and guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position.
What training do orthodontists undergo in the U.S.?
All dentists legally practicing as orthodontists in the U.S. begin their educational journey by completing four years of an undergraduate degree. Following this, they attend four years of dental school. After getting a degree from dental school, orthodontists go through two to three years of residency programs concentrating on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Although board certification is not mandatory in the U.S., some orthodontists sit through and clear the American Board of Orthodontics exam. A board-certified orthodontist shows continued dedication and excellence in providing orthodontic care for patients.
How different are dentists and orthodontists?
Dentists and orthodontists share much of the same foundational education, but orthodontists must pursue additional certification before practicing. Think of your dentist as a general practitioner and an orthodontist as a specialist. Dentists can address common dental concerns, such as tooth pain, decay, repair, extractions, and gum disease treatment. They also manage oral inflammation and infections.
Your dentist might refer you to an orthodontist in cases like jaw malocclusion, tooth crowding, or palate expansion. Experts recommend that all children see an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if braces are necessary. Adults with jaw alignment issues or teeth misalignment may opt to see an orthodontist directly.
Remember, even if you have dental coverage, orthodontic care may not always be covered by insurance, as orthodontists are considered specialists. In some cases, insurance requires a referral from a dentist before covering an orthodontic visit.
What are the treatments provided by orthodontists?
Orthodontic treatments are ways to make your teeth straight and improve your smile. Here are some common ones:
1. Retainers: You might need a retainer after using braces or clear aligners. This is a special device to ensure your teeth stay in their new positions.
2. Clear aligners: Some people use clear aligners instead of braces. These are like clear trays custom-made for your teeth. You wear a set of trays for a week or two, then switch to the next set. Over time, these trays make your teeth straight.
3. Braces: These tiny tools help move your teeth into the right positions. They have metal or clear parts, and you must wear them until your teeth are properly aligned.
4. Palate expanders: Sometimes, kids may use palate expanders. These are for children whose facial bones are still growing. The expander helps make space in the upper jaw without taking out teeth or doing other things. Not every child needs this, but it can be beneficial in certain situations.
What are the common orthodontic problems?
Orthodontists see and manage various problems relating to the malalignment of teeth and jaws. Some of the more common issues they routinely encounter include:
- Losing milk teeth too soon or too late: When milk teeth do not fall on time, they create problems for the permanent teeth that follow them. Orthodontists are experts at detecting any issues that milk teeth can cause in the patients' future tooth arrangement.
- Teeth protrusion: Teeth that stick out can lead to problems with biting, chewing, and smiling. When addressed at the right age, protruded teeth can be easily corrected using orthodontic braces and aligners. When teeth protrude because of the malpositioning of the jaws, the patient may need surgery for correction.
- Crooked and crowded teeth: Orthodontists frequently see patients with teeth positioned in the wrong place within the jaws, affecting aesthetics and eating. At times, teeth remain within the jaw bones and do not come out, leading to malalignment of the other teeth in the mouth.
- Biting issues: Biting problems can occur due to various factors. When teeth in the upper and lower jaws do not meet in the typical fashion, they can lead to open bite, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Patients also present with pain during biting related to dental caries, gum diseases, dry mouth, and oral cancer. Besides these, habits such as frequent cheek biting may indicate issues with the alignment of the jaws and will require orthodontic treatment for correction.
- Facial asymmetries: All underlying orthodontic problems lead to some form of imbalance in facial symmetry. While most orthodontic issues can be corrected using custom-designed appliances, some will need surgery.
Overbite and underbite - common issues among children
i) Overbite
Overbite and underbite are two common malocclusions seen in children. Let's see what causes them and how orthodontists treat them.
When the upper front teeth overshoot the lower teeth, it causes an overbite. Several reasons, such as thumb sucking, can cause overbite. Children who suck their thumb after three or four years of age, when their permanent teeth begin to erupt, appear to be at risk of developing an overbite. The sucking creates pressure on the emerging teeth and causes them to come out at an abnormal angle. Using pacifiers for an extended period and after a certain age can cause overbite.
Tongue thrusting, common in children, can also cause overbite. Tongue thrusting occurs when the tongue presses too far forward in the mouth. There can be a few reasons for the overbite, like swollen adenoids, tonsils, or poor swallowing habits. Overbite can also be congenital. If anyone in the family, like parents, siblings, or a close relative, has an overbite, there is a chance that you'll have it, too.
Other reasons for overbite are missing teeth, extra teeth, or impacted teeth. Crowding or spacing can cause a change in the alignment of teeth. Conditions like tumors and cysts can cause the teeth or jaw to change the alignment of your teeth and the shape of the mouth.
Some health risks of having an overbite are speech impairment, breathing issues, chewing issues, damage to other teeth and gums, pain when chewing or biting, and a change in appearance.
Orthodontists generally treat overbites in their early stages, like in children. Still, if an adult has an overbite that isn't severe or causing any issues, medical treatment might not be necessary. The orthodontist will decide the course of treatment for an overbite depending on the age, jaw structure, severity of the condition, etc. Some common treatments are braces, palate expansion, and jaw surgery.
ii) Underbite
An underbite is when the front lower teeth extend outward farther than the upper teeth.
Underbites are caused due to several reasons, like thumb sucking after three years, pushing on the teeth with the tongue, using pacifiers for a long time, and long-term feeding from bottles beyond infant years. Underbites can also be inherited. If anyone from the family, like parents, siblings, or close relatives, has an underbite, you might also risk developing it. Other congenital conditions can cause underbites, such as impacted teeth, abnormally shaped teeth, crowding, or cleft lip or palate.
Injuries, too, can cause underbite if the injury impacts the jawbone. Although surgery can fix the jawbones, they don't always fit like before and can cause an underbite. Tumors, too, can cause an underbite.
Orthodontists can treat underbites with braces, or removing one or more teeth from the jaw can also help improve appearance. An orthodontist can also recommend surgery to treat the condition. Treatment for underbites should start as early as possible. Therefore, children can seek medical treatments such as braces and surgery once their permanent teeth have grown out if a cleft lip or palate causes the underbite. However, orthodontists only recommend surgery if the underbite interferes with the quality of life or the ability to eat, breathe, or speak.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of orthodontics?
Orthodontics, which focuses on straightening your teeth and improving your smile, has advantages and disadvantages.
Straightening your teeth does more than just enhance their appearance. It also makes cleaning them easier. When your teeth are all in the right places, brushing and flossing them well is simpler. Also, having straight teeth can make eating and talking better. If you've ever had jaw pain, orthodontics might help. When your bite is aligned, it can lower the chances of getting cavities, gum problems, and other oral health issues. So, in the end, it's not just about a great smile; it's about having a healthy one too!
Getting your teeth straight might take some time. It could be less than a year for some people, but for others, it might take up to two years or even more. Everybody's different, so following what your orthodontist suggests is essential. Also, if you don't keep your teeth and braces super clean, there's a higher chance of getting cavities. So, following your orthodontist's advice on keeping your mouth clean is crucial.
What food can you eat with braces, and what should you avoid?
During the first few days with braces, stick to soft foods; you can have yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and pasta to avoid irritation. Once the sensitivity subsides, you can gradually resume your normal diet, but some foods remain off-limits. Avoid sticky or hard items like popcorn, nuts, gum, hard candy, crunchy fruits, and pizza crust, as these can damage braces.
Limiting sugary foods is also important, as they can cause plaque buildup, which is harder to clean around braces and may lead to decay. If a wire or band loosens, contact your orthodontist for repairs and use wax to cover any sharp edges temporarily. Maintain dental hygiene by brushing after meals, flossing carefully, and using fluoride mouthwash.
Routine appointments with the dentist and orthodontist are important to keep your braces and teeth in top condition throughout your treatment.
What should you expect during the first visit to an orthodontist?
When you visit the orthodontist, it might be because your regular dentist noticed that your teeth are not aligned correctly. At your first appointment, the orthodontist will do a few things to understand how to help you.
First, they will look inside your mouth to examine your teeth. They might also take pictures of your face and your smile. They could also use special X-rays to see your teeth and entire head from all angles. Sometimes, they might even create molds of your teeth by taking impressions. These tests give the orthodontist a clear picture of what's going on with your teeth and help them figure out the best way to fix any alignment issues. So, don't worry; it's just a way for them to understand how to make your smile the best it can be!
Top-rated orthodontists near you in Chicago, Illinois
Orthodontic issues can often make people apprehensive about their appearance, which can also adversely affect mental health and cause anxiety in patients. However, getting the proper orthodontic care can help resolve the condition, and patients can also avoid the ill effects on mental health. Zocdoc brings you top-rated orthodontists located near your area. It is a transparent platform and will provide you with all the relevant information about the doctor, like their educational background, licensure, experience in treating your condition, and ratings and reviews by past patients. You can also find out their gender, the languages they speak, and whether they treat children.
People tend to ignore orthodontic care due to the considerable expense. Zocdoc allows you to pay through insurance. You can type the name of your insurance provider, and the website will show you all the healthcare providers who accept your policy.
Our online patient support center can help you find orthodontists who accept your insurance. Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can add secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly there.
With Zocdoc, you can book appointments before, during, and after office hours. Depending on the orthodontist's availability, you can also book appointments during weekends and holidays.
Booking in-person or online appointments with orthodontists near you through Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Orthodontic statistics in Chicago, Illinois
According to a survey titled "Children's orthodontic utilization in the United States: Socioeconomic and surveillance considerations by the National Library of Medicine," visits for orthodontic procedures constituted the third-largest treatment category, i.e., nearly 14.5%, and were most significant among the uninsured and high-income groups. However, children with public insurance had the fewest orthodontic visits, i.e., approximately 9.4%. The survey brings forth significant disparity in orthodontic utilization based on income, race, and insurance status.
According to the Burden of Oral Disease in Chicago by the Chicago Community Oral Health Forum (CCOHF), craniofacial anomalies in the cleft lip and palate are one of Chicago's most common congenital anomalies. The abnormalities contribute to almost 22% of the state's Craniofacial Anomaly Program (CFA) cases.
Sources
National Library Of Medicine
Heartland Alliance
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
Healthline[4]
American Association Of Orthodontics
WebMD
American Association of Orthodontists
Cleveland Clinic
