Can Bruxism Affect Appearance of Your Face?

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Bruxism is a condition where a person grinds their teeth. While it’s commonly associated with dental issues like worn enamel or jaw pain, bruxism can also impact your facial appearance in surprising ways. Over time, constant grinding can change the way your face looks, affecting everything from muscle structure to the overall shape of your jawline. If you have bruxism, talk to your orthodontist in Norton, OH.

Enlarged Jaw Muscles

One of the most noticeable effects of bruxism is the enlargement of the jaw muscles. These muscles, responsible for chewing, become overworked when you grind your teeth on a chronic basis. This can lead to hypertrophy, where the muscles grow larger over time. The result? A broader, more square-shaped jawline that can change the overall symmetry of your face. For those seeking a softer, more contoured look, this change can be unwelcome.

Shortened Teeth and a Sunken Appearance

Constant grinding wears down the enamel on your teeth, making them shorter. When this happens, the vertical height of your face decreases, which can give your face a sunken or collapsed appearance. This makes the face look older and more fatigued, altering the balance between your lower and upper face.

More Wrinkles

Bruxism doesn’t just affect the muscles and teeth. It can also contribute to premature aging and the development of wrinkles. What happens is, constant tension in the facial muscles can create stress around the mouth and cheeks, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. These changes make the face appear more aged than it really is.

Bruxism most certainly can have a significant impact on the appearance of your face, usually a negative one. But bruxism is also highly treatable. Talk to your Norton, OH orthodontist to learn more.

Hockenberger Orthodontics — How Do Clear Aligners Work?

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If you want straight teeth, clear aligners are a great option. They’re comfortable, hardly noticeable, and relatively inexpensive. While it’s easy to understand the benefits of these popular orthodontic devices, do you know how they work?

In this post, we’ll talk about what you can expect with clear aligners.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are orthodontic devices that help to straighten teeth over time. Working just like braces, they move teeth to their desired position over a matter of months. However, instead of using metal brackets and wires, clear aligners utilize a strong plastic. This device simply snaps over your teeth for a comfortable orthodontic experience. While popular brands like Invisalign offer these clear aligners, you can also find several other providers.

Think clear aligners may be right for you? If so, contact Hockenberger Orthodontics today! We offer top-of-the-line clear aligners in Norton, OH.

What to Expect

If you’re interested in clear aligners, the process starts with a consultation with your orthodontist. They will examine your teeth, look at X-rays, and evaluate your dental history to determine if you’re a good candidate. If everything checks out, the next step is to take X-rays and get an impression of your teeth. This information is then sent to a lab to create your aligners.

Once your aligners are made, you’ll have another office visit to try them on and ensure a good fit. If things look good, you get a set of aligners to wear throughout your treatment plan. After wearing one aligner for a week or two, you’ll switch to a new aligner. You’ll continue this process until your teeth have moved to their desired position.

Interested in learning more about clear aligners? To speak with a skilled and knowledgeable orthodontist in Norton, OH, call Hockenberger Orthodontics today!

Can Clear Aligners Cause Decay?

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Have you been considering clear aligners in Norton, OH? If so, you may have already taken the initiative to get to know about this smile alignment treatment by asking around. Undeniably, this modern path to a straighter, more confident smile has its advantages for patients of all ages. However, you may have heard rumors that clear aligners cause tooth decay. Find out why this rumor has no truth behind it below.

So, do clear aligners mean higher cavity risks?

Clear aligners should never heighten your risk of cavities or decay. The key is to follow the orthodontist’s guidelines closely when it comes to changing the aligners and cleaning your teeth appropriately during treatment. Most clear aligners should be worn around 20 hours or more per day and should be taken off for cleaning your teeth and eating.

Why do people believe that clear aligners cause decay?

This rumor usually stems from individuals who either wear their aligners too much or while they are eating. Likewise, not following good dental hygiene practices can lead to decay, with or without the aligners, but aligners may heighten the risks of excess bacteria around the teeth. The only difference is, with aligners, if you are not brushing and flossing, excess bacteria can get trapped closer to your teeth for long periods of time.

How can you deter issues with excess bacteria during treatment?

Always clean your aligners between periods of wear and take the time to brush and floss as usual. After you are finished eating, brush your teeth, clean your aligner, and only then put the aligner back in place. Never slip your aligner back on without brushing. If you must because you are eating away from home, brush your teeth immediately once you get to a place you can.

Talk to a Norton Orthodontist for Advice

Do you believe you would be a good candidate for smile alignment with clear aligners? If so, talking to a Norton, OH orthodontist for advice is the best first step. Contact us at Hockenberger Orthodontics to schedule a consultation.

 

What Is a Malocclusion?

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So you have a malocclusion. Should you be worried?

A malocclusion occurs when your teeth are improperly aligned. Usually, this is hereditary, which is why children are often treated for malocclusion. With routine dental care, most malocclusions can be corrected in youth with simple solutions such as braces or aligners. It is possible to develop a malocclusion later in life, however. Your dentist in Norton, OH, can tell you more about malocclusions.

What Is a Malocclusion?

The term “Malocclusion” is used to describe several dental conditions in which the teeth are misaligned, including:

  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Open Bite
  • Cross Bite
  • Crowded teeth

It’s important to seek treatment for malocclusion because it can interfere with the normal function of your teeth. In other words, a malocclusion may make it more difficult to bite or chew. It can also affect your self-esteem by making you feel self-conscious about your smile. There are other reasons, too.

Why Seek Treatment for Malocclusion?

An untreated malocclusion can cause structural changes to the shape of your face, making you appear older than your biological age. It can also cause you to repeatedly bite your tongue or the insides of your cheeks. You may notice changes in the way you speak if you develop a malocclusion or find yourself breathing through your mouth more often, which can cause additional dental problems.

Fortunately, your dentist has simple solutions for correcting malocclusion.

Help for Malocclusion in Norton, OH

If you’re showing symptoms of malocclusion in Norton, OH, call Hockenberger Orthodontics today. Dr. Brian Hockenberger, DDS, and his staff are all highly trained dental professionals who specialize in treating conditions such as malocclusion. Through the application of dental appliances, such as retainers, braces, or aligners, we can improve the appearance and function of your smile. Call today to schedule an initial consultation with a member of our friendly and experienced dental team.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/malocclusion-of-teeth#treatment

ADULT ORTHODONTICS