4 Myths About Orthodontics

Getting orthodontics, or braces, can be scary. The decision to get orthodontics may not be an easy one, and it may be made harder if you have fallen prey to misinformation. There are a number of myths about orthodontics that you should be aware of in order to be less scared about potentially receiving orthodontics, as well as in order to make a better informed decision about getting orthodontics.

You Can Be Too Old For Braces

A lot of people believe that you can only get braces in young adulthood. This is not true. People can enjoy the benefits of braces at any age. Malocclusion, or "bad bite" – a phenomenon which manifests itself as an underbite or overbite – is something that is just as prevalent in adults as it is in children, so are teeth that are too far spaced apart or teeth that are overcrowded. It is recommended that anyone with an aesthetic or integral problem with their teeth that they believe can be corrected by orthodontic procedures should discuss the matter with an orthodontist. If you are older and have dental issues, talk to your orthodontist about adult braces. Your orthodontist can let you know about your options and can debunk any further myths that arise during your discussion.

The Tighter The Better

Most people assume that in order to make advances in their orthodontic journey, they must have tight braces or that they must experience pain. Many people believe that tighter braces will allow them to get their braces off more quickly. This simply isn't the case.  While it is the case that a certain amount of pressure and "tightness" must be exerted by the braces, you do not want your braces to have the tightest amount of impact that they possibly can. By making braces as tight as you possibly can, you run the risk of damaging your teeth, gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. This will ensure that when you get your braces off, your teeth will be in a worse condition than before.

Wires Need To Be Changed Every Visit

These days, wires do not need to be changed each and every visit. Although just as few as 20 years ago, wires were something that needed to be changed every, or every other, visit to your orthodontist, there are technologies available to you now that do not require such a thing to happen. Super elastic wires can generally be bent into all sorts of shapes and sizes and will spring back into their typical U-shape and original size without too much poking and prodding. As such, having your wires changed every visit is unnecessary, provided that you have elastic forms of wiring. Super elastic wires also make for shorter clinic visits, as they are easier to work with.

Overbites Are Bad

Although extreme overbites can be quite taxing, and for many people, a large overbite is something that they personally find aesthetically unappealing, overbites are ultimately healthy for you. It is important to have some degree of an overbite present. By having teeth that "perfectly" fit together – that is to say that your jawline and the top row of your teeth sit and fit together nicely, then you are creating the effect of grinding which will ultimately cause wear and tear on your teeth that you do not need. As such, an orthodontist can adjust your overbite, but "fixing" one is entirely misguided. Having an overbite, as an aside, is a bit healthier than having an underbite.

Orthodontic myths are quite common, and while some contain a modicum of truth, most are hogwash. Hopefully, this brief article has helped you distinguish between fact and fantasy. For more information, contact a business such as Aspen Orthodontics.


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