Do I Still Need Orthodontics if My Teeth Look Straight?

Orthodontics correct dental alignment issues, creating both a healthier and more attractive smile. While orthodontics are mostly thought of as a treatment to straighten the teeth for aesthetic reasons, they do much more. So even if your teeth look straight, you may still benefit from orthodontics. 

At Smile Montreal, Dr. Charles Casey and Dr. Patrick Casey conduct dental exams to determine when orthodontics is necessary for their Montreal, QC, patients. To find out if you’re a candidate for orthodontics, we welcome you to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, learn more about why orthodontics are worth considering even if you have straight looking teeth. 

Why Straight Teeth May Need Orthodontic Treatment 

Just because teeth look fairly straight doesn’t mean there aren’t alignment issues or other dental problems that should be treated with orthodontics. Even minor alignment issues can put stress on the jaw joint, cause the teeth to wear unevenly, and affect oral health. 

Correcting alignment issues with orthodontic treatment can help protect oral health and alleviate jaw pain while also improving the smile’s appearance. If you’re still on the fence about whether you need orthodontic treatment, consider these reasons. 

Improving Jaw Function

Even if the teeth look straight, their alignment can put stress on the jaw joint. Those who have a condition called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can find that alignment issues cause TMJ disorder symptoms to worsen. 

Stress on the jaw joint can cause headaches, neck pain, and discomfort when moving the jaw, like when eating or talking. Treating alignment issues with orthodontics can help improve jaw function and improve comfort. 

Correcting Bite Issues

Sometimes the teeth may look straight but the upper teeth either extend over the lower teeth (overbite) or sit behind the lower teeth (underbite).

Both overbites and underbites can cause jaw joint pain, exacerbate TMJ disorder, and cause the teeth to wear unevenly. Overbites and underbites can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. 

Improved Oral Hygiene 

When the teeth are too close together or have any overlap, properly cleaning them can be challenging. In such cases, brushing may not be able to reach all areas of the teeth and it may be hard to get floss in between them as well, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. 

Orthodontic treatment can help correct spacing between teeth and eliminate overlap, making it easier to properly brush and floss the teeth. 

Orthodontic Treatment Can Help

Straight looking teeth may be an underlying source of jaw pain, oral hygiene problems, and other dental problems. Orthodontic treatment can help improve oral health and should be considered even if the teeth are fairly straight. 

Our Montreal practice offers traditional braces and Invisalign® to address alignment issues and improve the appearance of the smile.   

Schedule a Consultation

Straightening the teeth can do more than improve the smile’s appearance. It can also help alleviate jaw pain and reduce the risk of other oral health problems, making it a great treatment option even when the teeth are generally straight. 

For more information about orthodontics or to discuss whether orthodontic treatment is right for you, schedule a consultation at our Montreal office.