Improving the aesthetics of facial structure is often considered to fall within the realm of plastic surgery. But what if there was another way? It’s a well known fact that orthodontic treatment can straighten teeth and create a beautiful smile. But the work and research of an orthodontist who kept track of his patients over an extended period has shown that an orthodontist can also have a great impact on a patient’s facial growth and in turn create a lifelong improvement to their appearance. After becoming interested in the possibility that orthodontic treatment could have an effect on the aesthetics of a patient’s face, this orthodontist began keeping track of his patients as they aged into adulthood. His findings provided a great deal of insight as to how drastic the changes could actually be. As a result, his work is now considered by the orthodontic community to be monumental and groundbreaking.
Advancements in the field of orthodontics are allowing doctors to literally sculpt a patient’s face during treatment. They do this by looking at how the bones in the face and jaw will grow over time and through an understanding of the dynamic relationship between the teeth, lips and jaw. According to one noted doctor,
an orthodontist will even look at the faces of the patient’s parents to help predict how the appearance could change in the future.
Although all of this is extremely important for children and young adults just beginning to establish a sense of self esteem, they aren’t the only patients benefitting. Upon completing their orthodontic treatments, adults are also seeing positive improvements to the aesthetics of their facial structures.
Orthodontists can also collaborate with dentists to address and correct abnormalities such as flared or oddly shaped teeth, misaligned jaws and uneven gum lines. When combined with braces, such work can provide dramatic results. The dentist’s role is to understand the correct timing for orthodontic treatment. A patient usually sees a dentist before an orthodontist; so they are the first line of defense in recognizing any potential problems that the patient may have. When it comes to children, the decisions of the dentist can have a life-long impact on their appearance.
Plastic surgery is no longer the only avenue towards a more aesthetically pleasing face. Thanks to research and the progress of the dental and orthodontic fields, patients can not only gain the confidence that comes with a beautiful, healthy smile, but also that which comes from the improvements to their facial structure. It’s truly exciting to consider that there is only room for growth in this area of dentistry and orthodontics.
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