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Many people, children and adult alike do not have perfect sets of teeth. It is common for many people to have crooked teeth, or have upper and/or lower jaws that are not of the same size. If this is the case, a person may need to wear braces to correct the alignment of the teeth or the jaw. Malocclusion, a Latin word that means "bad bite" or "improper bite," refers to tooth irregularities. Orthodontists or dentists specializing in this type of dentistry can treat improper bites and align teeth to make them look better. Braces are being applied on patients both for medical and aesthetic reasons, according to orthodontics associates. A child may suffer severe emotional trauma from constantly being bullied in school because of crooked teeth or crowded teeth. At the same time, having misaligned teeth can alter the facial structure. Correcting this problem not only improves the alignment of the teeth, but also corrects irregularities that might be affecting the jaw, and boost ones self-confidence. According to many orthodontics associates, the best time to get braces is before the last of the baby teeth are lost. Treating a patient when all teeth are permanent is a common prerogative of most dentists or orthodontics. To avoid extraction of a permanent tooth, it is better to start this way. The ideal age is between 11 and 14 years old, when the teeth are easier to correct and still conducive to straightening. Many orthodontics associates say that most patients with no severe misalignment or discrepancies in their teeth can wait for all baby teeth to fall off before commencing treatment. There are cases though that may require immediate intervention, such as in cross bite problems. Majority of orthodontics want to apply treatment as early as possible to avoid further damage or misalignment in the teeth. Sometimes, early intervention can even avoid having a child wear braces later on in life, when timed tooth extractions can be done. Braces work by straightening the teeth by means of putting a steady pressure on them. Wearing braces usually takes 12 to 24 months depending on the severity of the case. On average, the cost of braces is anywhere around $2000 to $4000, depending on the state, the appliance used, and the skills of your chosen orthodontist. Braces do not come cheap and this is why most parents tend to delay their child's appointment with a dentist or orthodontist. Unknown to them, treating as early as possible may even turn out to be the way to get cheap orthodontics. Early intervention reduces the length of the treatment, thereby turning out to be cheaper in costs in the long run. After the braces have been removed, a patient may still be required by an orthodontist to wear retainers for few months. These little things make sure that the teeth do not move around after the elastics and the metal wires have been removed from the teeth. On average, a patient may wear retainers for another six months. About the author: SmileFocus Dental Clinic was established in Singapore on 1997. They are offering extensive dental services including Orthodontics, Teeth Whitening, Dental Implant and other treatment with their group of adult and children dentist Singapore specialists.
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