If your teeth have erupted incorrectly, there are a couple of treatment options to consider. One of the options you can consider is the Carriere Distalizer, a device with similar corrective power to old-school headgear without any of the bulk or embarrassment. At Runnels Orthodontics in Inlet Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Destin, FL, we’re pleased to offer this treatment option and are happy to answer some common questions about it.
Most patients can expect to wear their Carriere Distalizer anywhere between three to six months. Due to individual factors, this timeline may vary slightly between patients. When we take a look at your teeth during an appointment, we may be able to give you a more specific idea of how long you can expect to wear your device.
This device connects the first molar to the canine. An elastic band attached to a bottom molar serves as its anchor. The bands produce pressure, which gently straightens and rotates the first molars into a more correct position.
If you don’t wear the rubber bands correctly, it can make your treatment process longer than necessary. When your device is first attached we’ll give you advice on how to properly care for and maintain it. That way it can work at its quickest and most effective rate.
This treatment excels at pushing upper teeth back into a more correct position. It’s a common tool used to prepare teeth for braces. Sometimes there are tooth alignment issues that are too severe to be corrected by braces alone, or issues that can make the process of wearing braces longer than it needs to be. Either way, this device can help.
The buccal segment includes the first molars, canines, and premolars, and it’s a notoriously difficult segment to align. This device is one of the best treatments for the job. It’s a well-trusted resource and has proven its ability to correct difficult buccal segment adjustments.
Due to its corrective power, some patients who would have been required to undergo a tooth extraction before braces may be able to avoid this by using a Carriere device instead.
This device is located along either side of your smile. When you talk or interact with peers, your most visible teeth will be unchanged. This fact may help hesitant patients be willing to receive treatment without worrying about a significant change to the daily appearance of their teeth.
A misaligned jaw can cause a host of issues, and jaw pain is one of the most irritating. The aching sensation can be uncomfortable and distracting. In some cases, it may be so bad that it interferes with your ability to get a full night’s sleep.
With this device set in place, it will immediately get to work correcting jaw alignment issues. As a result, if your chronic jaw pain has been caused by misalignment, you should be able to get some relief once your teeth have been guided into a better position.
Did you know tooth enamel is the hardest tissue found in the human body? It needs to be, since this thin layer is responsible for keeping your teeth protected from damage and decay. That said, sometimes this protective layer needs some protection itself.
When teeth are incorrectly positioned to the point where they’re rubbing against each other, it can cause early degeneration of your tooth enamel. To compare, imagine how rocks and sea glass are smoothed over and worn down by the constant friction of the ocean’s waves. To save your teeth from damage, and yourself from potentially more costly repairs in the future, this device can get you started on protecting your enamel.
Anything that negatively impacts jaw alignment can lead to the development of TMD. Crooked teeth are a very common source of TMD, due to the way daily tasks are altered to accommodate a misaligned bite.
Teeth grinding is more likely when your teeth are improperly aligned. This not only can damage enamel, it can hurt your jaw muscles too. Chewing with a misaligned jaw often applies more biting force to one side of the mouth, which can put the muscles of the jaw under increased stress as well. When the root of the problem is addressed, the symptoms of TMD often dissipate.
If you have one or a combination of these symptoms, and you also have a misaligned jaw, you could be dealing with TMD. Common symptoms include:
The symptoms of TMD can overlap with other symptoms, so it’s important to rule other issues out as well.
One of the best ways to prevent gum disease like gingivitis is to straighten out your teeth. Even when a patient does their best to thoroughly brush and floss, crooked teeth create spaces that are difficult to clean. This can allow plaque to thrive and eventually harden into tartar, which can lead to painful inflammatory gum conditions.
While coming in for routine dental cleanings can certainly help, even a professional may have trouble getting your teeth as clean as they should be when there are issues with tooth alignment. Once the teeth are corrected, they should be easier to keep clean and healthy.
It’s important to take the risk of gingivitis seriously. If the discomfort that comes with gingivitis isn’t enough of a deterrent, the biggest risk it carries is what happens when it goes untreated. Gingivitis can develop into periodontitis or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.
Both of these conditions can cause the gums to recede, exposing the underlying tooth. This can lead to bone loss, decay, and eventually tooth loss.
Some patients with misaligned jaws or crooked teeth may find that it affects their ability to pronounce certain words, which can negatively impact their self-confidence. Overbites in particular can produce speech challenges. Thankfully, overbites are one of the conditions that can be improved with a Carriere Distalizer.
The sleek design of this device is small enough that brushing and flossing around it should be easy to adjust to.
Once your teeth have been prepped with the Carriere Distalizer, we’ll be able to get you matched with braces that suit your needs and lifestyle. We offer a range of braces options, and we would be happy to recommend the best type for you during a consultation.
Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and for good reason. They’re cost-effective, and the strength of their metal material makes them extremely durable, aiding in effectiveness and peace of mind.
We especially recommend traditional braces for kids and teenagers. They’re more likely to have peers that also have braces. Many kids enjoy customizing their traditional braces as well, and the strength of the metal can be a good fit for kids who are active in sports.
Ceramic braces can be a good option for adults who want to straighten their teeth but don’t want the visibility of traditional braces. We can either match the brackets to the shade of your teeth, or we could go with a completely translucent option. Our ceramic braces are resistant to staining and discoloration.
Want to go a step further in discretion? Lingual braces are the ultimate option for patients who want absolutely no sign of braces visible on their teeth. While most braces are fixed to the outside of a patient’s teeth, lingual braces are attached to the inner surfaces, hiding them from view.
These braces aren’t always offered by orthodontists, as they require specialized training to ensure a proper fit. Due to our dedication towards continuing education, our office has that required training and is pleased to offer this exciting treatment option to our patients.
If you’re still wondering what the best treatment option is for you, our team of experts can help with that. We have several locations for your convenience, so reach out to us at Runnels Orthodontics in Inlet Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Destin, FL, today to schedule your consultation.
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