When taking care of our teeth, we know that going to the dentist for routine cleanings and checkups is important, but certain issues require more than just good brushing and flossing. That’s when it’s important to talk with your dentist about specialized treatment to fix whatever issues you may be dealing with.

When it comes to issues that deal with the tooth’s outside, you’ll need the help of the orthodontics branch of dentistry. Your local dentist at Rosary Dental in Houston, TX can give you a referral to an orthodontist if you need specialized treatment.

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the outside of the teeth. Not to be confused with cosmetic dentistry like teeth bleaching and veneers, orthodontics focuses on the shape, positioning, and functioning of your teeth as it pertains to the outer shell of the tooth, the gums, and roots.

Orthodontics covers a whole range of corrective procedures, most dealing with the position of the teeth. Crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth often need orthodontic treatment to straighten out. The most common orthodontic treatment many children, teens, and adults get is braces. Many people need alignment correction using traditional braces or clear aligners.

Other orthodontic treatments involve a range of options for different types of problems, such as using dental applications to correct a bite-related issue like an occlusion, overbite, underbite, or overjet. Many orthodontic appliances can fix common teeth-related issues—even sports guards for those playing sports.

This also includes options for people with jaw and teeth clenching problems. A dental appliance is the best option for treating these problems because they can result in fractured teeth and TMJ if left untreated. Worse yet, fixing TMJ may require surgery, and having a cracked tooth requires a crown and can develop an infection.

If you notice any symptoms with your teeth, you should visit Rosary Dental in Houston, TX immediately to find a way to correct the problem before it worsens.