Orthodontics

Consider orthodontics if you have crooked teeth or an abnormal bite. Orthodontic appliances like braces and space maintainers can improve the alignment of your or your child’s teeth and jaw and enhance oral health. At Village Dental in Richmond Hill, Georgia, experienced general and cosmetic dentist Nils Anderson, DDS, offers orthodontics to children, teenagers, and adults. Make an appointment for yourself or your child by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a dental subspecialty that diagnoses and treats problems with jaw and tooth alignment. Specifically, it uses appliances like metal braces, retainers, and space maintainers to improve oral health and the appearance of a smile.

What types of alignment issues does orthodontics treat?

At Village Dental, Dr. Anderson uses orthodontics to treat various alignment issues, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowding
• Misaligned jaw
• Overlapping teeth
• Gaps between teeth

You might also benefit from orthodontics if you have a bite abnormality, like crossbite, underbite, or overbite.

What are the types of orthodontics?

At Village Dental, Dr. Anderson offers several types of orthodontics, including:

Metal braces

Dr. Anderson bonds metal braces to the front of permanent teeth; metal braces use a combination of brackets, arch wires, and rubber bands to slowly but surely improve the alignment of your teeth and jaw.

Clear braces

Clear braces are similar to metal braces. The difference is that clear braces have ceramic brackets that blend in with your teeth.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are like metal braces, but Dr. Anderson bonds them to the back of your teeth instead of the front. As a result, orthodontic treatment is more discreet and less noticeable.

Retainers

After you finish wearing braces, Dr. Anderson has you transition to a retainer. A retainer is a removable appliance that prevents your teeth from returning to their original position.

Space maintainers

Sometimes, when children lose baby teeth due to decay or trauma, Dr. Anderson recommends early orthodontic treatment. If that happens to your child, he might prescribe space maintainers. A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance that makes room in your child’s jaw for future permanent teeth to erupt.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Most people complete orthodontic treatment within 24 months, but it may take longer depending on your age, dental health history, and goals. Over the course of treatment, make sure to attend each of your scheduled checkups. 

At each visit, Dr. Anderson monitors your progress and adjusts your braces to change the amount of pressure on your teeth and jaw. 

To see if you can benefit from orthodontics, make an appointment at Village Dental by calling the office or booking online today.