The Pros and Cons of Orthodontics

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Braces were not very popular back in the day. The dreadful nickname “metal mouth” was often used to tease those who had to show horribly thick, metal wires and brackets all over their teeth. Then, there was the thought of experiencing a first kiss with a mouth full of metal. Most patients preferred to take a more natural route electing to live with a slightly imperfect smile over a metal one. Today, braces are fashion statements, imagine that! Patients can choose from a variety of color combinations for a trendy look, or they can choose the more natural kind. With more manageable materials and a variety of choices, all ages of patients are wearing braces with pride. While considering the need of braces, there are several key factors to think through when evaluating the risks and benefits. The most common considerations include: age, oral health, cost, duration of treatment, bracket type, and the dentist doing the treatment. There are pros and cons with each one of these considerations.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having children looked at by age seven to assess what the best age for treatment is (The Associated Press). The AAO also says most treatment begins between ages nine and fourteen, but there are no statistics on preadolescents versus teenagers (The Associated Press). There is one main reason to start early no matter what type of treatment the child will need, and that’s when teeth are so crooked or unattractive where the child is really being harassed and has psychosocial problems. Other benefits can be seen from interceptive treatment such as creating facial symmetry, preserving space for unerupted teeth, reducing the total treatment time, and creating room for crowded teeth ("All about Orthodonti...

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...straighten teeth, they can change the function of a patient’s bite and the mechanics of the jaw as well. If a patient’s treatment is complicated and is not done correctly, he may end up needing to go to an orthodontist to finish the job, which will cost him more money in the long run.
In conclusion, there are several risks and benefits that stem from the considerations of orthodontics. It is very crucial to know the pros and cons of braces before going through treatment. Age, oral health, cost, duration of treatment, bracket type, and choosing the right orthodontist are the most common factors to think through when weighing out the pros and cons of orthodontic treatment. Ultimately, every patient’s end goal is the same, to have straight teeth and a beautiful smile. Doing research and keeping open communication with the orthodontist is key to achieve that end goal.

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