That Silver Smile

Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontia

Warning Signs of a Bite Problem

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Overlapped or misplaced teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
• Finger sucking
• Mouth breathing
• Speech difficulty
• Grinding or clenching of teeth

Think braces are just to make your smile prettier? “That’s what drives most people to seek orthodontic treatment,” says orthodontist Philip Tighe, D.M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. But misaligned teeth are more than a cosmetic problem, he says. “They can be harder to clean and maintain, which may lead to decay and gum disease. They also alter the bite, which decreases function and causes teeth to wear unevenly.”

The solution: orthodontics, a branch of dentistry focusing on malocclusion (meaning “bad bite”). Crowded or crooked teeth can result from the jaw being too small to accommodate the size of the teeth, premature loss of baby teeth, or teeth just developing in the wrong position. Whatever the cause, treatment begins with an individual plan based on analysis of photos, X-rays and models.

The orthodontist usually applies braces—a set of brackets connected by wires—to exert a steady, gentle pressure that shifts teeth into the proper position. Braces are adjusted monthly over the course of treatment, usually one to three years. After they’re removed, a retainer worn at night holds the teeth in alignment.

“The most common age for orthodontic treatment is 11-12, as permanent teeth are erupting and the jaw is still growing,” Tighe says. “Some problems need to be treated earlier.” Your dentist may refer your child to an orthodontist as early as age 7, the age when the American Association of Orthodontics recommends a first visit.

At the other end of the age spectrum, you’re never too old for braces. “Adults make up 25 percent of orthodontic patients,” Tighe says. “Treatment may take a little longer, but more and more adults find that the results are worth it.” In adults, orthodontics often is part of a larger process involving restorations, bridge work or implants. Those with mild malocclusion may be able to use a new type of clear plastic aligners to reposition teeth almost invisibly.

Braces are a major investment, but the long-term benefits to self-confidence and health are clear, Tighe says. “Aligning teeth now can prevent many problems from occurring later.”

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