If you’re reading this, you’re either considering braces or have been told by an orthodontist that you need them. So who are the people that are considered viable candidates for braces, and what could happen if you choose not to straighten your teeth?

If you’re considering braces or think you need them, come and have a chat with our dentist in Banbury at our prestigious dental clinic, Amsel & Wilkins.

Is it ever too late to get braces?

Orthodontists recommend that children aged seven should have their teeth checked by an orthodontist. Some might argue that seven is too young an age for acquiring a straightening aid. However, these consultations are merely pre-screenings to assess the teeth and recommend preventative measures to keep severe dental problems that require braces at bay.

Being an adult who is well over the age of seven doesn’t mean you’re too old for braces. Straighter teeth are possible at any age. If you suspect your teeth need re-aligning, come to our dentist in Banbury for a consultation. During this time, we will assess your teeth and facial structure, and take diagnostic records of your teeth if necessary.

What are the principal reasons people need braces?

Occlusion refers to the position of your upper and lower jaw when you bring them together. Ideally, your teeth should fit together perfectly, without any pearly whites protruding or appearing overcrowded.

A deviation occurs when the above doesn’t happen, resulting in malocclusions. The three types of malocclusions that braces treat include the following:

With a class one malocclusion, the relationship with your upper and lower jaw is in perfect alignment. However, there is overcrowding present. Overcrowding is an issue in and of itself. It’s typically caused when there are too many teeth for a dental arch that is too small. Having overcrowded teeth is problematic because it’s difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly.

A class two malocclusion is referred to as an overbite, which occurs when the lower jaw is underdeveloped. This results in your upper front teeth overlapping your lower front teeth.

A class three malocclusion or an underbite is the hardest to diagnose and treat, occurring when the lower jaw juts out. As a result, your lower front teeth overlap your upper front teeth.

Getting braces: it’s more than just straight teeth

Having a dazzling smile may be the main reason that you want to get braces. However the straightening device, as outlined by our dentist in Banbury, will tell you about its multiple perks for your health and wellbeing.

The malocclusion mentioned above can severely restrict your lifestyle, affecting how you bite and chew your food and may prevent you from eating certain foods entirely. On top of that, you could see your oral health deteriorating as brushing and flossing your teeth effectively is challenging with misaligned teeth.

Not being able to brush your teeth properly can result in gum disease and tooth decay, which is why it is important to consider getting braces if you think you need them. Other restrictions that are caused by malocclusions include speech impediments, jaw pain and sleep apnea.

It’s important to remember that teeth straightening is more than a cosmetic treatment, but could very well improve your physical health as well.

Losing teeth can be a traumatic experience, but that shouldn’t mean you have to live without them. Prostheses for tooth replacement have been around for a while, but the ones we’ve become accustomed to, such as dentures, are not ideal for every patient. In the last 30 years, dental implants have taken tooth replacement to new heights, and it’s a product our dental practice, Amsel & Wilkins, can recommend. So what is it about tooth implants that makes them so popular? Read on to find out.

Why makes tooth implants so desirable?

To answer this question, we first have to explain what implants are. Implants replace knocked out or decaying teeth using three different components. The first part is the metal piece, made from titanium, which is drilled into your jawbone. The titanium is an incredibly durable material that can withstand the test of time, and can also fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration.

Once healing concludes, the titanium will act as the new root to your tooth. The abutment is dubbed the connector piece that links the metal post to the crown, which we will discuss later. The crown is the part of the prosthesis that is visible. This is custom fabricated in a laboratory and is created to look and function like a natural tooth. Together, these three parts form a secure implant.

What benefits can I look forward to with an implant?

Our dentist in Banbury will go into more detail about the perks of opting for tooth implants. However, these are some of the principal benefits you can look forward to.

An improved appearance

Having gaps between your teeth impacts the way you look, to the point where you might feel self-conscious. A tooth implant fills in those empty spaces and improves upon your pearly whites, giving you a reason to smile again.

Improved Speech

Have your dentures been letting you down lately by sliding around your mouth and interrupting your speech? Dentures may become less reliable after they’ve been worn for a long period of time. An implant remains firmly in place over the years, and can only be professionally removed by your dentist in Banbury.

Maintain your diet

If the fragility of your device leads you to cut out your favourite food, it’s time you made a change to a more superior prosthesis. You can eat what you like within reason, and not have to worry about cracking or breaking your fake tooth.

Tooth implants are pretty low maintenance

Owning dentures comes with the need to keep them ultra-clean, using specialised solvents. You don’t need to implement new steps into your cleaning regime. That said, you must prioritise your oral health and hygiene, as the dentist in Banbury will tell you.

Despite your new tooth not being natural and impervious to decay, your surrounding gums are still vulnerable to a plethora of illness. Failing to take proper care of your new tooth might result in you losing it as your implant may feel loose if your gums aren’t healthy.