Adult Orthodontics in Sanborn, IA
Do you have teeth or jaw misalignment issues you’ve had since childhood? Do you want your teeth repaired? If so, then finding an adult orthodontist is the first step you’ll want to take in having a beautiful smile that you’ll be proud to show off. Our dentists at Sanborn Dental Associates provide adult orthodontics care in Sanborn, IA.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics deals with treating jaws and teeth for irregularities. These irregularities may include malocclusions or bite misalignments, including crooked teeth. Malocclusions are when teeth don’t meet when the jaws come together. Instead of teeth meeting teeth, they may jut out or over the other teeth or have space between them when they meet.
Adult orthodontics near you means the orthodontic patients are adults, not children or teens. The primary difference between adults and pediatric or adolescent patients is that adult teeth no longer grow. Because of this, the teeth are usually stronger because they are denser.
Adult habits can also affect teeth, such as smoking, teeth grinding due to stress, or medications that may affect treatment outcomes.
Treatment Options for Adults
Our dentists have two orthodontic options when treating teeth with the bite or jaw misalignments. They are to wear braces, clear aligners, or to have surgery to reposition the upper (maxilla) or lower jaw (mandible) so that they meet together.
The severity of your misalignments will inform dentists about the type of treatment that would work best for your teeth or repositioning your jaw. Oral surgery for a jaw isn’t uncommon, but it doesn’t happen as often as applying braces or aligners to move teeth.
Our dentist will first examine your teeth and take x-rays to see beneath the gum line. If you have a mild or moderate teeth misalignment problem, they may recommend clear aligners to move your teeth. However, if the problem is more severe, they may use metal or ceramic braces. Severe jaw misalignment issues will call for surgery to realign the jaws, therefore your teeth.
If your teeth are crooked or they don’t line up together when you’ve closed your mouth, all our dentists in Sanborn, IA, to have your teeth evaluated. After studying the examination and x-rays, our dentists will form an adult orthodontics treatment plan to repair your smile.
