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Health & Fitness

A Dentist in Silver Spring Answers Your FAQ about Orthodontics, PART 1

This three-part article series provides a comprehensive FAQ guide to orthodontics: the field of dentistry concerned with the correction of teeth orientation and jaw alignment.


Orthodontics is an extremely important branch of dentistry, not only because the treatment it provides can improve bite function and long term oral health, but also because it’s able to provide patients with much better, more comfortable and beautiful smiles! In this three-part article series, we spoke to a dentist in Silver Spring about orthodontics so that we can all benefit from a valuable insight into this field of corrective oral healthcare.

FAQ: What is Orthodontics?


The Silver Spring Orthodontist Answers: “Orthodontics is a field of dentistry dedicated to the treatment (and diagnosis and prevention) of facial and dental irregularities, such as skew teeth and a poorly aligned jaw or bite. These can either be a result of congenital or birth defects or accidental trauma. In the case of teeth replacement, many orthodontists also offer experience in the treatment of the diseases that cause tooth loss and in the placement of dental implants.”

FAQ: What is an orthodontist?


The Dentist in Silver Spring Answers: “An orthodontist is a dentist who has the additional training and qualification necessary to guide facial development, manage tooth movement and correct defects/trauma and disease affecting the oral and maxillofacial skeleton. Orthodontics is a recognized dental specialty, according to the American Dental Association.”

FAQ: What are some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment?


The Orthodontist in Silver Spring MD Answers: “In most cases, if not all, the goal of orthodontic treatment is to improve overall oral health by correcting a maloccluded bite, which can either be the result of poorly aligned teeth and/or jawbones. While the goal is correctional in nature, the results are almost always aesthetically beneficial for Silver Spring MD patients and those from elsewhere, as well.”

Here are some of the many benefits of orthodontic treatment:

  • Teeth that fit better and therefore function better.
  • A more comfortable bite, which eliminates problems such as muscle strain and inflammation around and of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This in turn can solve the many problems caused by TMJ disorders, including chronic headaches, muscle fatigue, neck pain, jaw stiffness and even nausea caused by migraines.
  • A more aesthetically pleasing and attractive smile.
  • Increased self-confidence, which is especially important for young patients in their developmental years (teenagers).
  • Improved ability to maintain oral hygiene, since teeth that are straight and even are easier to brush and floss.
  • Orthodontic treatment guides the teeth into newer and more favorable positions in the mouth.
  • Better and healthier long-term wear pattern across the biting surfaces of the teeth, which translates into better long-term oral health for Silver Spring residents.
  • Orthodontic treatment reduces the risk of trauma to any teeth that may protrude from the mouth as a result of malocclusion.
  • Orthodontic treatment generally improves and optimizes the success of other dental treatment.
  • It can also treat problems that include snoring, sleep apnea and difficulty swallowing and articulating in speech.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series on orthodontic dentistry in Silver Spring MD.
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