How Does Misalignment Impact My Smile?

fixing dental misalignment in Arlington Heights IL dentist officeDo you have dental misalignment? This refers to cases where your teeth overlap, crowd, or appear crooked. While you’re obviously aware of how the issue impacts your smile’s appearance, what about your smile’s health? Why is correcting malocclusion so important for your oral health?

Try Our Quiz on Misalignment’s Impact on Your Smile

  1. True or False: Uneven smiles can place pressure on the jaw joints.
  2. True or False: Crooked or crowded teeth can lead to oral health concerns.
  3. True or False: We can correct uneven smiles using clear plastic aligners.

Answer Key

  1. True. When the jaw joints are strained, then complications can arise. For example, a patient may develop TMJ disorder, which makes fully opening and closing the mouth difficult. Symptoms can include a popping or clicking in the jaw, as well as headaches. Bruxism can also occur, in which patients begin to grind their teeth at night regularly, leading to headaches and a greater risk of damaged teeth and toothaches.
  2. True. When you have an uneven smile then thoroughly brushing and flossing can be difficult. There can be areas where food particles remain trapped. As bacteria break down these particles, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease can elevate. Patients may notice toothaches, as well as soreness, redness, or bleeding in the gums.
  3. True. We can take detailed impressions and gather images of the smile, which we send to an Invisalign lab. We then receive a full set of plastic aligners. The patient wears a set every day for about 20 to 23 hours daily, upgrading to a new set about once every two weeks. After a year to 18 months, patients can enjoy a straighter smile and a reduced risk of oral health complications.

Schedule a visit with Dr. Brent Engelberg today. AH Smiles is your dental care provider for all of your dental needs in Chicago and beyond. Request an appointment online, or give us a call today.