What Services Do Orthodontists Cover?

The services that an orthodontist provides can vary according to the needs of patients. Most orthodontists will be able to address the concerns of adult patients, as well. However, since most of these patients are children, most orthodontic practices will focus on treating issues like crowding or gaps in young people’s teeth.

Diagnosing, Preventing, and Treating Misaligned Teeth and Jaws

Orthodontists are dentists who have undergone additional training and education to specialize in orthodontics. They can diagnose, prevent and treat dental malocclusions, which is the clinical term for misaligned teeth and jaws.

They are trained to perform corrective procedures on patients of any age, including young children who may not have all their adult teeth. In particular, children sometimes need to wear orthodontic appliances while their adult teeth grow in to fit correctly. Orthodontists also often work with oral surgeons or pediatric dentists on treating more complex issues.

Recommending a Range of Treatments

Orthodontists can provide a variety of treatments to improve your smile. These may include:

• Crowding– This is when there is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth. In this case, teeth overlap or crowd, often resulting in an irregular appearance.
• Overbite – occurs when the top teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth. An extreme overbite can lead to problems with talking and eating while also causing a gummy smile that appears unattractive to some people.
• Underbite– The opposite of an underbite is when the bottom teeth stick out past the top ones (think Bulldog).

Treating Problems Such as Sleep Apnea or Bruxism

You may not think of your orthodontist as someone who could help with snoring or teeth grinding, but they can. If you’re suffering from sleep apnea or bruxism (also known as teeth grinding), an orthodontist can create and fit you with a dental appliance to treat these problems. However, insurance companies do not usually cover these types of procedures, so ask your provider ahead of time what’s covered if you need one.

Correcting Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Orthodontic treatment can also help remedy temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD. TMD is caused by the dislocation of the jaw and can be associated with symptoms such as pain in the jaw and face, difficulty chewing, teeth grinding, and even vertigo.

Some orthodontic treatments are cosmetic. For example, some people get their teeth straightened to improve the appearance of their smile.

• • Orthodontists can treat jaw problems. Most people who have jaw problems need orthodontics to help restore their ability to speak correctly or close their lips comfortably.

• • Orthodontists can treat bruxism (teeth grinding). Grinding your teeth at night can wear down your teeth and make them more sensitive over time, but an orthodontist may be able to correct this with a special mouthguard.

Conclusion

Orthodontists cover a range of procedures that can be used to address different types of problems with your teeth and smile. These services are meant to improve the aesthetics of your smile and the functionality of your teeth.