Traditionally orthodontics has been purely focused on straightening teeth by whatever means possible. This would usually involve extracting teeth to alleviate any crowding and then pulling remaining teeth back to close the gaps. This orthodontic method only focuses on straightening teeth and disregards adjustments in facial appearance and facial profile.
Lips are supported by your teeth therefore through pulling teeth back, any lip support is removed, resulting in a “flatter” facial appearance. Therefore, what is the point of extracting teeth to only make the remaining teeth as straight as possible and then possibly damage facial appearance?
At the Refresh Smiles Dental, while making your teeth straight and aesthetically pleasing, we also prioritise creating beautiful faces and healthy smiles.
These smiles are achieved through addressing how and why the teeth have become crooked in the first place. This is identified through holistically analysing an individual's general and oral health, airway quality, breathing patterns and myofunctional and parafunctional habits, i.e how an individual uses their facial muscles.
Teeth are attached to your jaw, which is subsequently attached to your head and body. Surrounding the teeth are muscles which are also attached to the head and body. Therefore, it is important that orthodontic treatment is planned to address not only your teeth, but all components associated with your teeth.