Gig Harbor Orthodontics
Even though most of us would love to be born with a healthy, straight smile, this is rarely the case. Things such as tooth overcrowding, crooked teeth, and bite problems can create issues with our smiles. These issues can lead to problems such as speaking and chewing difficulties. Other complications can include TMJ … Click to go to the page of tmj/tmd … , sleep apnea … Click to go to the page of sleep apnea … , and low self-esteem.
Uptown Dental Gig Harbor offers professional orthodontics and orthopedics to help patients to achieve healthier straighter smiles. The best time to receive orthodontic treatment is when the patient is younger (during their teenage years or before) after their permanent teeth have erupted. The reason for this is that the bone tissues are still developing which allows the teeth to be more easily shifted into optimal alignment.
The first step of orthodontic treatment is orthopedics which uses short-term removable appliances, such as aligners and retainers, to promote optimal facial and jaw bone development.
Proper orthopedic treatment can prevent future complications like overcrowding, misalignment, allergies, and enlarged tonsils. In fact, successful orthopedics can negate the need for orthodontics which is more complex and long-term.
If required, we may recommend orthodontics, which uses braces that are bonded to the teeth to move them into straighter alignment. Because the braces are bonded to the teeth, it gives the dentist greater control and accuracy to shift the teeth to create a symmetrical smile. Unlike retainers or other removable appliances, braces are semi-permanent, meaning that they can only be removed by your dentist. Depending on the severity of the patient’s dental problems, orthodontics can last anywhere from a few months to several years.
For patients who want to achieve a straighter smile without advertising it, we offer Invisalign invisible braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gradually move the teeth into a straighter, healthier pattern.
