Teeth alignment helps position teeth properly, correct alignment issues, and address abnormal bites, resulting in a better facial structure. The suitable age to begin teeth alignment is during the teenage years, typically between 10 to 14 years old, as this is when the body is undergoing rapid growth.
Teeth alignment is a form of oral health care to prevent and treat dental abnormalities, ensuring teeth are properly aligned and improving chewing efficiency. This is achieved using braces to correct alignment issues and abnormal bites, enhancing facial aesthetics. The braces work by moving teeth to their proper positions for the benefit of overall oral and dental health.
Teeth alignment can be done from childhood to adulthood, but the most suitable age range is around 10 to 14 years old, as the body is in a phase of significant growth and changes in facial structure. Teeth are more responsive to movement during this period. However, if you’re older or around 30 years of age, teeth alignment might take longer than usual. Therefore, maintaining good oral health and consulting an experienced dentist before undergoing treatment is recommended.
Only a dentist can determine whether you should get braces or not. If you have the following abnormalities, you might require braces:
- Protruding upper or lower teeth
- Gaps between teeth due to shifting or incomplete eruption
- Upper and lower teeth don’t align properly when biting, resulting in gaps
- The duration for teeth alignment can vary from one and a half to three years, depending on the severity of the dental issue.
At Denta-joy Dental Clinic, the teeth alignment process involves the dentist creating a treatment plan based on the individual’s oral condition, conducting an oral examination, taking X-rays of the teeth and facial structure, and analyzing the data to create a treatment plan. Treatment may involve tooth extraction, filling, taking impressions, attaching braces, or using clear aligners.
At the beginning, you might feel discomfort, but it should improve within 1 to 2 weeks. Denta-joy Dental Clinic offers two types of teeth alignment methods:
- Removable clear aligners.
- Fixed braces, either traditional ones placed externally or lingual braces placed on the inner surface.
After the teeth alignment, it’s crucial to maintain oral hygiene by brushing teeth and braces regularly, especially after meals and before bed. Avoid hard and sticky foods, and take care when playing sports to avoid impact. Follow the dentist’s recommendations and attend regular appointments to ensure the braces are well-maintained and effective.