The future of orthodontics could be great. How could orthodontics be cool? Well, it would be great to get your teeth fixed before you even have to wear braces. Orthodontics is the practice of straightening teeth to improve one’s life in several ways. The future practice of this type of medicine is becoming something unforeseen by former patients: fun.
It’s a strange conclusion as an adult that my most long-awaited doctor’s visits were with my orthodontist. Considering the image that Hollywood movies and television have printed about going to the dentist, one would expect orthodontist visits to remind me of awkward teenage years and memories I wish I didn’t have, but from time to time I found that orthodontists and their practice fought hard battles to prove these ideas undeserved. When your child’s visitation process begins with playing video games, looking at a fish tank flanked by a shark tank, and most of the work done with my favorite TV shows in the background, it’s easy to not mind going on a date. This was not always the case.
In the 1980s we had classic movies like 16 Candles that portrayed a young Joan Cusack in her small role as a hat-wearing girl whose only available expression was a smile without turning her neck. The over-the-top scene only helped highlight the awkward interplay between Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald.
Today, it is surprising how far the practice has come. Through embarrassing moments like Sixteen Candles and advancements in technology, orthodontics has been effective in shedding this image and, more importantly, the image we would have in the mirror without their work.
The helmet from many years before can now often be replaced by braces and braces can often be replaced by Invisalign. Today, the practice of orthodontics places great emphasis not only on the parents who pay for these treatments, but also on the children who use them. The practice of orthodontics is being implemented in a way that takes into account the image they have of themselves. Your teeth are often one of the first things people notice about you, especially when you’re smiling happily or can’t help but laugh.
Braces exist for various reasons and to a child many of these are intangible. The most tangible effect that braces, retainers and Invisalign have on a teenage patient is the change in appearance during treatment. Now, a child’s self-image can be improved in the shortest time ever with little change in how she looks at the time. This is very important for children who have not yet settled down and are looking for the confidence to adopt a personal identity.
Technology is advancing how accurately braces can improve your teeth, letting doctors know ahead of time when your teeth will change. This allows them to implement a system to prevent your teeth from moving. Changing teeth can affect the way you talk, eat, and interact with other people. This is great news and the news is only getting better because the practice is doing better than it has ever been before. Like what we’ve already seen in LASIK eye surgery. People who have treatments end up better than the natural. This means that people who have braces today often have more beautiful teeth than people who don’t need braces.
