The Importance of Orthodontic Treatment
in New Lenox, IL

The goal of orthodontics is to give you a healthy, functional bite (and a more attractive smile). When your teeth and jaw are not aligned properly, this affects your bite, which can lead to function problems (such as difficulty chewing and speaking), along with damage to the teeth themselves. At Lincolnway Dental Associates, we can provide orthodontic treatment to people of all ages to correct alignment issues and improve their quality of life.

If you’re currently struggling with bite issues or are self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, call our office at (815) 462-4838.

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Clear Aligners

How Orthodontics Benefit Children

Having a healthy, functional bite is extremely important for children, and they should start seeing an orthodontist by age 7 to address any tooth and jaw problems before they can get worse. With orthodontics, we can treat alignment problems as your child is growing to improve their facial proportions and prevent future issues such as:

  • Tooth decay
  • Gum disease
  • Injury
  • Tooth damage/loss
  • Speech impediments

What Causes Orthodontic Problems in Children?

Children can develop unhealthy habits early in life that contribute to their orthodontic issues later, or it’s possible that they inherited some of their problems.

Here are some of the most common causes of orthodontic issues in children:

  • Thumb sucking
  • Abnormal swallowing (tongue thrusting)
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Late or early loss of baby teeth
  • Poor nutrition
  • Accidents involving injury to the mouth

These causes can lead to teeth crowding, severe over or under bite, open bite, and other problems.

When a child’s orthodontic problems are exacerbated by bad habits, it’s essential to address and correct these habits before or while they are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

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Why You Might Need Orthodontic Treatment as an Adult

While we tend to associate orthodontics with adolescents and teenagers, a good percentage of orthodontic patients are in fact adults! Here are some reasons you may want to see our team for orthodontic treatment:

  • Your teeth do not fit together correctly when you bite
  • You have trouble chewing or speaking clearly
  • Your teeth seem crowded or are spaced unevenly
  • You have abnormal wear and tear on your molars or front teeth
  • Your jaw hurts or regularly “pops” when you chew or yawn
  • You simply want a healthier, more attractive smile

Types of Braces We Offer

Braces are the most popular and effective way to correct teeth crowding and a misaligned bite. We offer metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. Unlike traditional wire braces, Invisalign consists of clear aligners that are placed over your top and bottom teeth. These aligners need to be changed out every 3-4 weeks to gradually move the teeth into the correct position. Not all teeth can be fixed with this method, but the only way to find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign is to set up a consultation with our team.

Call our office at (815) 462-4838 to book an appointment today!