How to Know When You Need Dental Braces

As of November 2009, some 3 million North American teenagers report wearing braces, and ever greater numbers of adults these days are returning to the orthodontist. You yourself may be considered a candidate for braces no matter what your age, but it can be difficult to assess whether or not you need these orthodontics without the help of a dentist or orthodontist. However, you can determine your own personal need for braces and find the best solution for your teeth.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Dentist
• Orthodontist

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Instructions

• 1

  Start by looking in the mirror to check whether or not you have some of the key characteristics of an orthodontic patient. These include crooked or crowded teeth, upper teeth that extend too far outward or lower teeth that are pushed too far back in the mouth. You may even notice that you have jaw pain, tooth decay, or problems enunciating or chewing food due to your teeth, all of which could make you a prime candidate for braces.

• 2

  Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss the possibility of getting braces, and ask for a referral to a certified orthodontic specialist in your area if he thinks you would be a candidate for braces.

• 3

  Book an appointment with the referred orthodontist, and undergo a screening test to see whether or not you need braces. This exam should test whether or not you have a condition called malocclusion, also known as "bad bite." People with this condition often have one or more of the aspects described in the first step. If you are experiencing a condition that poses a significant risk to your overall dental health that can be corrected by braces, the orthodontist will likely suggest that you get them.