Your dentist may have discussed with you the
benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw
alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are
hard to clean and maintain. This can result in
tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead
to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can
contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces,
inefficient chewing function, excessive stress
on gum tissue and the bone that supports the
teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints.
These can lead to chronic headaches and
face or neck pain. Treatment by an orthodontist
can be less costly than the additional care
required to treat dental problems arising as
a result of orthodontic problems. For most
people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious
benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come
off, you'll feel more self-confident.