An orthodontist is a dental specialist who is skilled at correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. The common treatments include the use of dental appliances such as braces and retainers but the orthodontist in Elmhurst also may extract teeth which are crowding others as well as use invisible aligners. It is not mandatory of course to have orthodontic treatment as a youngster but many young people do, however, orthodontic care is equally as important for adults as it is for adolescents.
Most people will immediately think of metal braces, wires and rubber bands when they hear the word orthodontics. Metal braces are indeed one treatment that the orthodontist can turn to. Metal braces are referred to as ?fixed appliances? as they are designed to remain in the mouth for the duration of the treatment. An orthodontist in Elmhurst installs the metal braces in a particular fashion, one which applies gentle pressure to the teeth, moving them slowly into their ideal location. During the treatment the patient makes multiple return trips to the orthodontist to have adjustments made and to monitor the progress. Metal fixed braces are applied to the front of the patient?s teeth and are visible.
Once the metal braces have done their job, moving the teeth to the desired location a retainer is normally worn to hold the teeth in position. The retainer is removable and is normally only worn at night for the first year or so after the braces are removed, a retainer is not worn while eating or drinking and rarely will you see one during the day.
Traditional metal braces are visible during the one or two years that it is necessary to wear them. There are many people who prefer not to have metal braces, they would much prefer to conceal from others that they are having orthodontic care; many of these people are in the public eye. The orthodontist in Elmhurst can satisfy this need by fitting invisible aligners or porcelain braces which are worn the same as traditional metal braces but are virtually invisible.
In the last few years a new dental appliance has become available, it is proving to be very successful in straightening teeth and it is completely invisible. The device fits over the teeth almost like a mouth guard; it exerts pressure to slowly move the teeth to the desired position. Over the full course of treatment the patient may have as many as 20 of these aligners, each one a little different, each one moving the teeth little by little. These aligners are ideal as they are easily removed for brushing and flossing.
If you are looking for an orthodontist in Elmhurst you are invited to make an appointment with the professionals at Oakbrook Orthodontics.
