Do Braces Make Your Teeth Roots Shorter? [3 Points]

Having braces put onto your teeth or your child’s teeth can help them to feel better about their overall appearance. Visiting orthodontists and getting braces put on may seem like a fairly easy treatment plan. But a lot of people have questions regarding what they should expect both during and after treatment.

Many individuals are concerned about root shortening, which is something that you might have heard of before in the past. Knowing the facts and understanding what could and will happen can help you to decide if braces are right for you.

The Aesthetic Benefits of Braces

It’s obvious to most people that getting fitted for braces can help to straighten the teeth and align the mouth. Most people grow up and have crooked teeth. Having perfectly straight teeth naturally is actually a lot less common than you might assume.

The aesthetic benefits of getting braces are definitely apparent. When you or your child’s teeth are straighter, they just look nicer and your smile will look a lot brighter. You may even find that straighter teeth help you to eat and talk better than before they were treated.

How Do Braces Work Exactly?

Braces work by straightening the teeth from the root, down. Traditional metal braces accomplish this by using a metal wire that goes from one side of the mouth to the other. The wire is adjusted gradually, normally every month, to tighten it and further straighten the teeth. Lingual braces use the exact same concept as metal braces, but they are put onto the backs of the teeth towards the tongue so that the braces themselves are less visible.

Invisible braces are a little different because metals and wiring are not needed or used for this type of treatment. You will have to be fitted for trays regularly so that the trays can continue to be swapped out with different ones. The trays gradually straighten your teeth so that they are more beautiful and boost your self-esteem.

What About Root Shortening?

Root resorption in permanent teeth can begin on the inside of the tooth (internal resorption), but more often it starts from the outside and works inward (external resorption). The effects of external resorption occur near the gum line at the cervical region of the tooth. In early stages, this condition may produce pinkish cells that do damage. In time, these spots progress to cavity-like areas.

It is necessary to treat it as soon as possible to prevent more damage from occurring because the destruction can be rapid. If the lesion is small, it is sometimes possible to expose the affected area of the tooth’s root with minor periodontal (gum) surgery. Then the tissue cells causing the damage are removed, and a tooth-colored filling material, a composite resin or glass ionomer cement, is used to repair the tooth.

CBCT scans can reveal tiny anatomical structures inside the tissues in three dimensions, thus exposing the problem. This high-tech imaging method can help make treatment planning in advance more accurate. With treatment, the tooth can be gradually moved outward from the jawbone. As it moves, gum tissue moves along with it, and new bone builds up behind it. Finally, the contours of the gum line will match up, and gum recession at the affected tooth can be avoided.

Here’s the Kicker

One concern that a lot of new orthodontic patients have is root shortening. Root shortening through orthodontic treatment is caused by prolonged pressure from the braces. This pressure is a lot greater than you might think. It rarely occurs and only from overly long use of braces. The truth is that only about one to two percent of orthodontic patients who have braces put on will deal with root shortening, which can also be referred to as root resorption. It might have been something that concerned you for quite some time.

You might have heard someone else talk about it themselves. Furthermore, doing a lot of research on the Internet before going for orthodontic treatment might have met you with tons of articles on this matter. Resulting in you backing out of having treatment done because of it.

This is crazy

Root shortening also tends to run in families and has been linked to genetics. If your family members or parents have dealt with root resorption before themselves, this could possibly be a concern of yours that you might want to discuss with your orthodontist. Letting them know that the condition runs in the family will help them to find a more practical treatment plan for you that is going to work without the problems that it could otherwise cause for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that root resorption or root shortening can happen if the teeth are moved either too quickly or too slowly. A qualified and professional orthodontist will be able to give you the right orthodontic treatment plan to ensure that your teeth are being straightened in a methodical and gradual manner. This is why it is essential that you visit a specialist orthodontist for treatment as opposed to going to a normal dental office.

Want to Know the Best Part

With Gluck Orthodontics, you will be able to discuss the right orthodontic treatment plan that fits your needs perfectly. Dr. Joel Gluck has worked with hundreds of people who are simply looking for straighter and more beautiful teeth using treatments that are modern and comfortable for their lifestyles. Be sure to contact the office. From here, you can find out the different orthodontic treatments available to you and which one might be the best option concerning your own needs and desires for your smile.

It’s Time to Make an Appointment

During your child’s initial consultation, the orthodontist will perform a physical examination, use the latest in medical imagery, and determine the best course of action to begin orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gluck will provide you and your teen with options, discussing which methods are most effective and considering your budget. Once treatment has begun, your child will soon reap the benefits of orthodontic treatment. You can give your child the smile that he or she has always wanted.

Do Braces Make Your Teeth Roots Shorter? [3 Points]

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.