Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic Treatment involves straightening or repositioning teeth to enhance their look and function. It can also play a role in the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and jaw joints by distributing biting pressure evenly over all of your teeth.

Reasons for getting Orthodontic Treatment

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open Bite
• Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Speech and chewing difficulties
• Crowded teeth
• Misaligned jaws

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Depending on the patient's specific needs, several types of orthodontic treatments are available.

Braces: Braces use a combination of brackets, bands, and wires to gradually reposition your teeth into the ideal position over time. You can choose between classic metal braces and transparent (ceramic) braces, depending on your demands.

Clear Braces: Whether you're an adult or a teen, we all want to look our best at all times. Changing the way your teeth are structured takes time and there are now ways to keep you looking your best during this period. Clear braces or ceramic braces are translucent. This new technology is available in most cases. The great benefit of these braces is that you won't have to have that metallic look. In addition, clear braces are specifically designed so that they won't stain or wear over time. Give us a call today to see if you're a candidate for ceramic braces!

Traditional Braces: Traditional braces have been around for many years. They are the standard among patients looking to straighten their smile. Today's contemporary braces are made of exceptionally strong metals as they need to be able to stand the test of time while they are on your teeth. While contemporary braces are metallic colored, there are a number of bands and features that can be utilized to spruce them up. Give us a call today so we can discuss in more detail about getting you that perfect smile.

Clear aligners: Clear orthodontic aligners have gained popularity as an alternative to braces. Popular brands include ClearCorrect® and Invisalign®. These methods straighten your teeth using a set of transparent, personalized aligner trays instead of brackets and wires. Each pair of trays is worn for one to two weeks before being replaced by another set in the series. The transparent aligners gradually move your teeth into their ideal locations.

Retainers: If you have braces or clear aligners, wearing a retainer is a must after completing an orthodontic treatment. A retainer is a custom-made dental device that prevents your teeth from shifting out of place. To preserve the effects of treatment, your orthodontist might advise you on how frequently to wear your retainer.

Lingual braces: These braces are placed on the inner surface of the teeth, making them invisible when viewed from the front. These are customized braces that can be difficult to maintain and clean.

Headgear: Headgear is an orthodontic appliance used to correct the bite and help with normal jaw alignment and development. Headgear is usually recommended for children whose jaw bones are still forming. Headgear, unlike braces, is worn partially outside the mouth. If your child's bite is significantly out of alignment, an orthodontist may advise them to wear headgear.

Space maintainers: These are used in children to maintain space for permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost prematurely. They prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into the vacant space.

Palatal expanders: These devices expand the upper jaw in children with narrow palates. They typically adhere to the upper teeth and gradually expand the jaw by applying pressure.

Occlusal Adjustment

Do you wake up in the morning with sore jaws?

When you bite, do you feel like your jaw is lopsided? If so, then you may need an occlusal adjustment. An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of the bite that is a result of loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Once your bite is adjusted, your teeth will meet properly. Occlusal adjustment causes minimal pain and only a little discomfort. The adjustment is made by using a dental drill with a fine filing stone. In addition to the actual adjustment, removal mouthpieces are also utilized to protect the tooth surface and relax the jaw muscles once the adjustment is completed.

Who is a good candidate for an occlusal adjustment? Patients with loose or shifting teeth will many times not meet correctly. Patients who grind or clench their teeth will have an uneven bite and pressure distribution in the mouth, which is also corrected through an occlusal adjustment. Sometimes, tooth sensitivity can be corrected through an occlusal adjustment as the treatment reduces pressure on the sensitive tooth.

New technology allows dentists to accurately identify the areas that need adjustments. The dentist utilizes a computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bite registrations per minute and notes even the slightest irregularity. That data allows the dentist to make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary, which ensures a well-aligned bite and minimal tooth wear.

If you suspect that you may need an occlusal adjustment, schedule an appointment.

Your perfect smile awaits! Don't wait. Contact Ripon Dental today for exceptional care and a radiant smile transformation. Our team is ready to make your dental dreams a reality. Call us now at (209) 924-4089 or stop by our location at 1222 W Colony Rd, Suite 140, Ripon, CA 95366. Experience the difference with Ripon Dental. Your path to optimal oral health and confidence begins here!