Malocclusion refers to uneven teeth. Dental misalignment could mean crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth, which not only impact the beauty of your smile, but could cause poor oral health too. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about the risk of misalignment, and how we offer straighter smiles.
The Causes of Dental Misalignment
How do we end up with an uneven smile? In childhood, this could begin due to issues with the growth and development of the jaw and the eruption of the primary and permanent teeth. Premature loss of baby teeth could be a factor too, as this impacts the arrival of the permanent teeth in a negative fashion. Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting as children can be a cause as well. This can also occur due to teeth being lost due to injury or poor oral health, as the surrounding ones begin to drift due to the sudden gap in the smile. The arrival of wisdom teeth could also lead to crowding and overlapping teeth.
The Possible Dangers for Your Smile
When we have an uneven smile, this means food and drink particles and become trapped in areas inaccessible to toothbrush bristles and floss tape. As a result, the risk of cavities and infection, as well as gingivitis and gum disease, could rise. Poor alignment could also strain jaw joints and cause bite imbalance, two major factors in the onset of painful disorders like TMD or bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). You could also simply feel self-conscious about your appearance!
Starting the Journey to Even Smiles
If you’re ready for treatment, then contact our team to schedule a consultation. We can see children as young as age seven, and offer phased orthodontics like retainers and teeth spacers to help limit misalignment until the permanent teeth arrive and calcify, at which point we continue treatment in the teen years with braces or aligners. For adults, we can also address poor alignment with braces, making them less visible using ceramic brackets, or with clear Invisalign® aligners. We can choose the option that fits you best and offers you a straighter smile and better oral health as a result.
If you have any questions about our treatment options, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for you or a member of your family, then contact our team today to learn more.
Ready for Orthodontic Treatment?
Our team wants to help you enjoy a more even and beautiful smile. If you have any questions about our approach to orthodontic care for all ages, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Haslet, Azle, and all surrounding communities.
