It can be hard to know the right moment to visit an orthodontist—whether it’s you or your child seeking treatment. There are definitely some indicators that you should be on the lookout for, so DiMarzio Orthodontics is here to offer you seven signs that it’s time to visit an orthodontist.
1) Misalignment: More Than a Cosmetic Concern
Crooked and crowded teeth go beyond appearance. They almost always interfere with the function of your mouth in some way. Here’s why we suggest seeking professional attention from Dr. DiMarzio or Dr. Marczak for misaligned teeth.
- Oral Hygiene Challenges: Crowding makes it harder to brush and floss effectively, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Wear and Tear: Misalignment can cause uneven pressure on your teeth, leading to premature enamel erosion.
- Boosting Confidence: Straightening your teeth through orthodontic treatment not only improves aesthetics but can also enhance your self-esteem.
2) Jaw Pain or TMJ Disorders
We treat more than just teeth—in fact, the jaw is often a main player in orthodontic treatment. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can cause chronic discomfort and limit your jaw function.
- Persistent Pain: You may experience routine aching or stiffness in the jaw, face, or neck. It can be easy to write this off as having slept funny or pulled something—but it can have a deeper cause.
- Clicking or Locking: Noises or difficulty moving your jaw may also signal a misaligned bite.
- Relief Options: From bite correction to non-invasive therapies, we offer many solutions to restore your jaw’s health. Sometimes this will be a preliminary step before offering braces or other teeth alignment, and in more extreme circumstances, we might suggest surgical orthodontics.
3) Difficulty Chewing and Biting
If you ever find that you have issues with biting or chewing your food, you probably have some underlying orthodontic cause.
- Digestive Impact: Inefficient chewing can strain your digestive system.
- Tooth Damage: Misaligned bites often cause chips, cracks, or excessive wear on certain teeth.
- Customized Treatment: Our team can address overbites, underbites, and crossbites to make eating easier and protect your teeth.
4) Breathing or Snoring Problems
Another aspect of orthodontics that often goes overlooked relates to breathing functions. These issues are usually anatomical and can impact your sleep.
- Sleep Apnea Risks: Children and adults can both experience a potentially dangerous condition called sleep apnea. Realignment can reduce symptoms like snoring and promote better rest.
- Narrow Airways: Misaligned jaws or crowded teeth can restrict airflow.
5) Speech Challenges
Your teeth’s alignment contributes directly to how clear your speech sounds.
- Pronunciation Issues: Gaps or crowding can disrupt tongue placement, which is usually what impacts how you speak.
- Improved Communication: Orthodontic treatment can correct these structural issues, improving your ability to articulate sounds that you might find difficult.
6) Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Many patients may not be aware of this, but the timing of baby teeth loss is so important for how your oral health pans out for the rest of your life.
- Early Loss: Losing a tooth too early leads to overcrowding as adult teeth shift into the wrong positions.
- Delayed Loss: Likewise, late loss can disrupt alignment as permanent teeth struggle to emerge.
- Proactive Care: When it’s possible, early evaluation in kids helps us guide jaw and tooth development, minimizing future complications.
7) Wanting a New Smile
Sometimes, it’s as simple as wanting to transform your smile and become a more confident version of yourself. Whether you want to close gaps, align teeth, or create facial harmony, DiMarzio Orthodontics can help:
- Enhance Oral Health: Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of decay and other dental health consequences.
- Achieve Balance: Orthodontic care can improve overall facial symmetry.
Why We Stand Out
You have a lot of options for seeking orthodontic care—but DiMarzio Orthodontics offers you more than most!
- Expert Training: Dr. DiMarzio and Dr. Marczak each spent 11 years in training, mastering the art and science of orthodontics. As Platinum Invisalign Providers, they have extensive experience in achieving stunning results—even in complex cases.
- Flexible Payment Options: Affordable care is within your reach. We accept a wide range of insurance plans and offer flexible payment plans tailored to your budget. Our team will provide a complete financial breakdown before treatment begins.
- Modern Technology: We use state-of-the-art tools, including the iTero digital scanner, to deliver precise and efficient care. From 3D imaging to same-day treatment starts, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements.
Our Door is Always Open
One of the joys of our job is getting to meet new patients and build new relationships. We often treat multiple members of the same families and get to see growth from a medical and personal perspective. If you’re a part of the Quincy, Braintree, or Milton communities, we’d love for you to join ours, too!