What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics, if you look at the word, is the science and art of maintaining and creating straight teeth, but it’s more than its name literally suggests. Orthodontics is more the science of bite management than the simple correction of crooked teeth.
Straight teeth and a balanced bite lead to better overall oral health. Straight teeth are easier to clean. They are less likely to get food particles stuck in them, and more likely to be properly cleaned with simple brushing and flossing. As a result, you are at a lower risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay.
A balanced bite is better for many reasons. When your teeth are properly positioned, they apply bite forces evenly, which means that no tooth is subjected to undue pressure. Undue pressure on one tooth can mean excessive wear. Wear on a tooth can make it more susceptible to penetrating decay and result in needing a root canal later in life. Undue pressure can also mean your teeth are more likely to break when biting down on hard foods. A broken tooth may also need a dental crown.
An unbalanced bite may also contribute to the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which can cause headaches, back pain, neck pain, and other symptoms across your body.
To learn more about orthodontics and the treatment options we offer, please contact Baystate Dental, serving patients throughout the Springfield, Massachusetts area.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 4:47 pm and is filed under Braces. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
