Orthodontics is the practice of straightening teeth and giving you a better bite. At our northern Indiana orthodontic office, Orthodontic Alliances, we have been helping patients overcome their alignment issues for years. Our friendly staff treats every patients like a member of their own family, and we have modern ways to improve your smile — some you may have heard of and some you may have not. But all will be monitored by our elite team until your smile looks perfect!

If you’re struggling with alignment issues or even dental pain, we can offer you an in-depth consultation to fix your smile. Give us a call today at 219-809-6584 our use the online form to request a visit.

Today, we want to dispel 5 myths people have about orthodontic treatment. Most of us know that great orthodontics can straighten our teeth, but there is so much more to orthodontics. So here are five myths about orthodontics you shouldn’t listen to.

1. Braces are the only way to fix crooked teeth. FALSE.

Braces are considered the gold standard when it comes to fixing crooked teeth. Millions of Americans have had metal braces, especially whenever they were younger. Braces can improve the bite (underbite, overbite, crossbites) or to straighten any alignment issues. Now, some of us have these serious orthodontic issues and need braces, but not all of us do. Today we can straighten your teeth (especially if you have mildly crooked teeth) with clear orthodontic aligners. Invisalign uses the clear plastic trays to gradually move the teeth into a better position. The treatment is subtle and virtually invisible.

2. Orthodontics is only cosmetic. FALSE.

After someone has braces or any orthodontic treatment, you’ll first notice the beautiful straight teeth. That’s obviously a major part of orthodontic treatment. It looks great. But orthodontics is also about giving you a healthier smile. How? Whenever you have crooked teeth or bite issues, you have an increased risk of dental decay or trauma. Bad bites can lead to headaches and jaw sensitivity or the irritation of the temporomandibular joint (which you use whenever you open and close your mouth). Additionally, crooked teeth make it easier for cavity-causing bacteria to hide inside your mouth. When we straighten the teeth, it’s easier for you to clean your mouth. People with straight teeth and balanced bites have a decreased risk of tooth decay, dental trauma (when the teeth don’t come together evenly, you risk chips, cracks, or even breaks)

3. Orthodontic treatment will always take years to complete. FALSE.

The duration of treatment depends on your needs. Traditional orthodontics, metal braces, can take a few years as it moves the crown and root of the tooth in two separate stages. As we mentioned above, some of us need extensive orthodontic treatment, while others only have mildly crooked teeth. Some treatments like Invisalign have an average treatment time of about 12 to 18 months. Basically, the less orthodontic work you need, the less time you’ll spend wearing braces or your orthodontic appliance.

4. Orthodontics is only for children. FALSE.

Whenever you think about orthodontics, you probably think of a child or pre-teen with a mouth full of metal brackets and wires. It’s true that we orthodontists would love to fix your orthodontic issues whenever you are young, but that doesn’t mean orthodontics are only for youngsters. At Orthodontic Alliances, we’re using adult orthodontics ideal for working professionals or those of use who never had access to orthodontics as children. The basic concept for fixing teeth doesn’t change as you get older, but we have different treatment methods. We can use traditional braces, clear ceramic braces, fast-acting braces (that only take a few months to correct small smile flaws), or even Invisalign.

5. Only orthodontists can place braces. FALSE.

There are various specialties in dentistry, including orthodontics. But general dentists can, and often do, offer orthodontic solutions. Orthodontics is a speciality for a reason. An orthodontist has trained for a few more years in order to achieve that special certification. With the many years of training and the on-the-job experience, we have seen and treated just about every type of orthodontic issue. A general dentist has a variety of dental issues to look at. They might not be as qualified to correct your alignment issues as we are.

Our patients come to Orthodontic Alliances for the experience and quality of work. And we can treat the entire family in one place. If you or a member of your family is struggling with alignment issues, give us a call today at 219-809-6584 to schedule an in-depth consultation.