Many of us found as kids that when our permanent teeth emerged, they crowded into a mouth that was too small to properly accommodate them, making it hard to brush and clean properly. This often led to oral health problems, such as periodontal disease, cavities, and even loss of teeth. Some teeth may also have emerged crooked or uneven in relation to one another or had gaps between them, causing you embarrassment if you smiled. Others may have had even more complex challenges, such as overbites, underbites, or misalignment of the teeth.
If you never had orthodontic braces to straighten them out and still suffer from an imperfect smile, it is never too late for treatment, especially with the revolution in technology and techniques in recent years.
Unfortunately, at the same time the Internet has spread the highly risky idea that you can fix your crooked teeth without the help of any dentist. Rumors are that anyone can use paper clips, fishing line, floss, twist ties, and rubber bands to move teeth into their ideal position. Why are these ideas dangerous?
First of all, metal objects can easily injure your inner cheeks, tongue, and gums, leading to serious infections. Second, without extensive training, no one can understand how much pressure is needed to very gradually move each tooth into a new position without risking it coming loose. Either of these problems could result in a visit to the emergency room and permanent harm to your teeth and your overall oral health. The temptation for a smile DIY job is often to save some money, but in the long run this can be much more expensive and painful.
General dentists have some knowledge of the basics of orthodontics, the art and science of moving teeth to create new smiles. But many cases are complicated and should be managed by an orthodontist like Dr. Song, who has several years of specialized training beyond what most dentists receive, as well as a great deal of experience with a wide variety of smile challenges. Since every bite is unique, it is best to have an expert analyze yours and recommend options.
Dr. Song’s office is equipped with the latest tools to diagnose and treat orthodontic problems, whether in children, teens, or adults. These include ceramic braces that are less noticeable than traditional ones, Accelerdent technology that can speed up most types of treatment, and Invisalign plastic mouth trays that may be appropriate for mild cases. Payment plans are available.
Call today to start your journey to a perfect smile.
