Did you know that about 4 million Americans are undergoing orthodontic treatment at any given time? Orthodontics works to straighten and align your teeth, improving their physical appearance and your oral health in general. At Advanced Orthodontics in Canton, Michigan, expert orthodontist Ritu Singh, DMD, MS, proudly offers a comprehensive suite of orthodontic services including braces, Invisalign, retainers, and treatment for TMJ. To request your orthodontics appointment at Advanced Orthodontics, call the office or use the online booking tool today. 

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry focused on treating malocclusion, a condition characterized by improperly positioned or misaligned teeth and jaws.

Malocclusion results in an improper bite if left untreated. This makes accessing and cleaning your teeth difficult. It can also hurt your confidence and self-esteem. 

Though many people consider orthodontics a type of cosmetic treatment, it works to improve oral function too.  

What types of issues can orthodontics treat?

Orthodontics is incredibly versatile. At Advanced Orthodontics, Dr. Singh regularly uses orthodontic treatments to:

• Close gaps or spaces between teeth
• Align the tips of teeth
• Straighten crooked teeth
• Improve chewing ability
• Improve speaking ability
• Treat an improper crossbite, overbite, underbite 
• Impacted teeth
• Protruding teeth

Dr. Singh also uses orthodontics to boost the long-term health of your teeth and gums and to prevent trauma and wear-and-tear to your natural, permanent teeth. 

Who can benefit from orthodontics?

Anyone unhappy with the aesthetic appearance or position of their teeth can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Malocclusion isn’t a medical problem, and it won’t negatively affect your health. However, it can impact the shape of your face and, in turn, the appearance of your teeth. This may result in embarrassment, a lack of confidence, or in severe cases, depression.

If you regularly go out of your way to cover your mouth when you smile or laugh, orthodontics is worth considering. You might also benefit from orthodontics if you have:

• Impacted teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Asymmetrical teeth
• A deep overbite
• Crossbite
• Spacing issues
• Underbite

Orthodontics can also solve common jaw problems, including grinding your teeth, clenching your teeth, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.