Getting Braces for Wide Spaces Between Teeth
Having teeth that are straight, nicely aligned, and in good health is a great way to look and feel your best. Of course, not everyone is born with a perfect smile. That shouldn't put that goal out of reach, however. By meeting with a skilled Philadelphia orthodontist, you will be able to achieve an excellent smile that is straight, even, and free from major issues related to malocclusion.
Our team of orthodontic care experts would like to take this opportunity right now to look a the basics concerning spacing issues and tooth alignment.
What are tooth spacing problems?
In a straight and aligned smile, there is generally a small amount of space between teeth, which means flossing is necessary to clean these narrow areas. Sometimes people have large gaps between their teeth, however. This extra space may increase with time as the jawbone or cranium grows.
While the large spaces are an obvious cosmetic issue, the spaces can also be the cause of some major dental health problems, which is why you should speak with our orthodontic specialists serving the Philadelphia area.
Problems Associated with Poor Tooth Spacing
When there are gaps between teeth, the spacing problems can cause teeth to shift out of place since the position along the dental arch is not secure. The teeth also help protect parts of the gumline from bacteria, so spacing issues of the teeth can also increase the chances of developing gum disease.
As with other dental spacing issues, poor tooth alignment can result in teeth grinding at night. This can cause a TMJ disorder to occur. A TMJ disorder is the name for the locking, popping, and clicking of the jaw joint.
How Braces Work
One of the best ways to treat these small spaces between teeth is getting Philadelphia braces placed. Braces will use carefully applied and regulated pressure and tension to help improve the spacing of the teeth along the dental arch. These brackets and wires will ensure that the teeth are adjacent to each other -- not too far, not too close, but just right. By doing this, shifts out of position are less likely and overall dental alignment is enhanced.
Ideal Candidates for Braces
The best candidates for braces are people who have issues with tooth alignment, whether it be gaps between teeth, crowding of the teeth, and certain kinds of underbites, crossbites, or overbites related to the dental arch.
Is Invisalign an option to consider as well?
Yes, Invisalign invisible braces can be used to help reduce the size of gaps between teeth. Many people find Invisalign preferable to traditional braces since the aligners used during Invisalign treatment are virtually undetectable.
Finding the Best Treatment Option for Your Needs
When you meet with our team of orthodontists serving Philadelphia, we will go over all of your options for effective orthodontic care. Some patients will be better served by braces than Invisalign and vice versa. In the case of a major gap between teeth, we will look into restorative options such as dental implants to help improve the overall balance of the dental arch.
Learn More About the Latest in Orthodontic Care
For more information about braces, Invisalign, and your many other options for advanced orthodontic care, be sure to contact our orthodontists in the Philadelphia area today. With offices in Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, and Montgomeryville, we will be able to help patients throughout the region achieve excellent dental health and beautiful smiles in the process.