Dr. Natalia Valderrama, our orthodontist in Melbourne, can let you know during a single appointment whether you are a good candidate for braces or second braces. A lot of people would like to have an idea on whether they are a good candidate before they walk into Valderrama Orthodontics. We completely understand! Not everyone is a candidate for braces or second braces. However, we’ll try to provide a general idea on the topic in this blog.

Why Braces Are Needed

Braces are a tool that your orthopedic dentist or orthodontist in Melbourne will often recommend to correct a malocclusion — a problem with the patient’s “bite.” A bite problem can mean the person’s teeth are crowded, protrude outward, they are crooked, or are somehow misaligned. Braces shift the teeth over time, so that they line up straight and the patient is able to have straight, beautiful teeth and a great smile. They work best during the young teenage years because that is when kids have lost most of their baby teeth. Also, the jaws are still pliable enough to allow the teeth to be shifted by using braces.

Are You a Candidate for Braces?

If you have most of your permanent teeth and a malocclusion, you are probably a good candidate for braces. Here are some of the types of bite problems that make you a good candidate for orthodontic treatment with braces:

• Crossbite: This malocclusion happens when the top teeth don’t line up correctly with the bottom teeth.
• Overjet: This is characterized by the top front teeth jutting outwards.
• Overbite: The top front teeth cover up too much of the bottom teeth.
• Underbite: When the teeth are closed, the bottom teeth rest in front of the top teeth.
• Open Bite: This is characterized by top and bottom front teeth that don’t meet together properly.

Why Second Braces Are Needed

It’s not as common, but there are occasions when a second round of braces becomes necessary. There are a number of possible reasons for this. After several years of having straight teeth, they might shift back into a crooked position again. Sometimes this happens because the patient had to end their first round of braces too early. If someone doesn’t wear their retainers after a round of braces — as directed by their orthodontist, it can cause the teeth to shift back into their original locations. People who struggle with bruxism — chronic teeth grinding — also tend to have their teeth become misaligned once again, despite correcting them with braces.

The good news is that if you’ve already worn braces once and your teeth have become crooked again, you’re likely a good candidate for second braces.

Alternatives to Second Braces

The really good news is that if you are in your latter teen years, early adulthood, or even middle age, you have a lot more orthodontic options available to you for correcting bite problems. Invisalign Teen — the clear, removable plastic aligners that straighten your teeth much like braces become an option. Invisalign is extremely popular with adults as well. This is because the system is nearly invisible; no one has to know you’re getting your teeth straightened. Clear braces are another popular option. These are similar to your traditional braces but have clear brackets. The clear brackets make your braces tough to notice!

It really is best to have bite corrections done with braces when a patient is in their early teen years. This is due to the fact that the teeth are more “cooperative” when it comes to getting them to move. But just because you’ve moved beyond your teen years, doesn’t mean that you can’t get your teeth straightened — and dental science has provided many new and inconspicuous options in just the past few years.

Contact Dr. Natalia Valderrama, our Melbourne Orthodontist About Braces/Second Braces

The best way to know whether you are a good candidate for braces, second braces, Invisalign or any other orthodontic treatment is to call our office and set up an appointment. You can reach us at (321) 425-5050 or Contact us online to schedule a visit. We look forward to hearing from you!