There are certain conditions that must be met before orthodontic treatment can begin. In the case of severely overcrowded teeth that are to be corrected with dental braces, it can be that more space must be created before your orthodontics will have a chance of success. But how exactly is this space created?
Individual Teeth
In cases where overcrowding is problematic but doesn't require anything too invasive, individual teeth can be reduced in size to create space for the repositioning of your overall bite. This means that a fraction of your dental enamel can sometimes be removed before braces are fitted. This is a delicate process since your teeth need that enamel to protect them. When it's thought that an acceptable amount of enamel can be removed without compromising your teeth, this might be your best bet. Still, it can make teeth more exposed, placing them at greater risk of future problems. Sometimes enamel removal for orthodontic work can require dental restoration to artificially reverse that deficiency at a later date.
Palatal Expanders
For moderate cases of overcrowding, palatal expansion can create the necessary space. This is typically only used in children whose jaws have not finished growing, as the types of appliances used often don't yield the desired results in adults. In many cases, a removable palatal expander is used, and this resembles a retainer. The patient simply wears it as per their orthodontist's instructions. When a fully-grown adult jaw requires expansion, surgery might be the only option, which involves the jaw bone being reset to the necessary position and then held in place with screws and/or plates.
Tooth Removal
Of course, surgery sounds like a major solution for severe overcrowding, and for some patients, it's the only solution. However, you might also be able to have teeth extracted to make the necessary space for your braces to work. Canine teeth are the typical candidates in this case. These are removed, often with a socket bone graft then immediately applied to preserve the strength of the jaw bone. Once you've healed from the extraction, your braces can be applied. The missing teeth will quickly become inconspicuous as the neighboring teeth align in a manner that disguises the gap.
When your orthodontist tells you that more space must be created before your dental braces can be applied, don't be alarmed. It's a typical part of treatment, even when it means losing teeth. Contact an orthodontist for more information.
Share11 March 2021
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
