A Stellar Smile: Made Possible with Braces!
A Stellar Smile: Made Possible with Braces!
If you suffer from misaligned teeth, don’t worry.
This common dental problem, also called malocclusion, can be fixed with orthodontic treatment or braces.
“There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment; adults can benefit from it too,” says Dr Ivan Lim Kuen Fui, Senior Consultant & Head, Orthodontics Department, National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), a member of the SingHealth group.
What are the causes of misaligned teeth?
Malocclusion is often inherited. Other causes include the following:
Abnormally shaped or impacted teeth
Misaligned or malformed jaw
Cleft lip and palate
Prolonged use of a pacifier or feeding bottle in childhood
Thumb sucking, sucking finger or lower lip, tongue thrusting in childhood
Breathing through the mouth in childhood
Injuries that result in the misalignment of the jaw
Improper dental restorative procedures in childhood
Gingivitis (gum disease)
Early loss of milk teeth
“A misaligned or malformed jaw can also cause a misaligned bite. They can occur in any or all three dimensions. Generally it can express as protruding jaws, a lower jaw slanted to one side or an open bite,” says Dr Lim.
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Why should misaligned teeth be fixed?
Misaligned teeth are associated with psychological and physical problems. Misaligned teeth can:
Lead to self-consciousness and poor self-esteem
Affect a person’s speech, e.g. can cause a lisp
Interfere with proper chewing of food during meals
Cause difficulties with proper brushing and flossing, increasing the risk of bacterial infection, tooth decay and gingivitis
“Dental health is the most important reason to have braces made as poorly aligned or misaligned teeth are difficult to keep clean,” says Dr Lim.
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Diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth
Misaligned teeth are diagnosed and treated by an orthodontist, a specialist in the correction of malocclusion. The orthodontist will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth to determine the extent of the problem and the appropriate treatment option.
In mild cases of misaligned teeth, treatment might be prosthodontic in nature, involving tooth veneers, crowns, bridges or dentures. In the majority of cases, however, orthodontic treatment involving braces is required.
“There are many different types of braces, each suited to a particular type of problem. The best type of brace for you will be advised by the orthodontist depending on your teeth and your personal needs,” says Dr Lim.
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Article written by Anjana Motihar Chandra, with expert input from the Orthodontics Department, National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), a member of the SingHealth group, for HealthXchange.
Articles on HealthXchange.com.sg are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.