It is broadly understood that the primary purpose of orthodontic treatment is to improve the alignment of the teeth and provide you with a beautiful, confident smile. However, the benefits of orthodontic treatment do not just stop there! Read below to learn about the top 10 benefits of orthodontic treatment: Smile Esthetics: This may be one of the most obvious benefits of orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist can help you not just straighten your teeth, but also get an attractive, confident smile. At Weber Orthodontics we strive to give every one of our patients a customized, attractive smile that flows with their facial appearance and looks naturally attractive.  Facial Esthetics: Besides straightening the teeth, orthodontic treatment may improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaws so the teeth can come together properly. This dental and jaw harmony can have a positive impact on your face shape, profile, and features. This is especially evident in the more severe cases, such as with an underbite or overbite. With her thorough diagnosis and precise treatment plans, Dr. Weber is an expert in balancing function and aesthetics. Oral Health: Crooked and crowded teeth may be more difficult to clean and maintain, causing a higher risk for cavities and periodontal disease. Orthodontic treatment can help minimize those risks by aligning the teeth and placing them in their ideal, easy to clean positions. Risk of injury to teeth: In some cases, the mal-positioned teeth may be at a higher risk of injury or trauma. For example, if your child’s teeth stick out too far, they are at a higher risk of fracturing if the child falls or hits their face. Another example is the presence of a crossbite (when the upper teeth sit inside the bottom teeth), which may cause gum recession, tooth damage, and bone loss. Orthodontic treatment can help correct the position of your teeth to ensure you can enjoy a long-lasting smile! Speech: Teeth are designed to be aligned perfectly so that a person can speak correctly. In some instances, an incorrect bite may cause problems with speech, which can be fixed easily with orthodontic treatment. Dental wear: An incorrect bite may subject some of your teeth to additional wear and tear, due to the uneven distribution of biting forces. Our orthodontists are trained to identify the wear patterns and address them as needed. Facilitating dental restorations or implant placements: In some instances, placing a restoration on one of your teeth or placing an implant may be hindered by the incorrect position of other teeth. Correcting the position of your teeth may facilitate the process and allow for a better final outcome. This is referred to as limited orthodontic treatment and is performed in collaboration with an orthodontist and your general dentist. Self-esteem and confidence: Numerous studies have shown that correcting the bite and having an attractive smile may help some people achieve better self-esteem, higher levels of confidence, and an improved oral-health related quality of life. If you feel self-conscious about your smile, consider scheduling a free consultation with one of our trained orthodontists. They will make sure you get that confident smile that you deserve. Dating and personal relationships: Studies have shown that having straight teeth may influence a person’s dating prospects. People with straight teeth are perceived as more attractive, intelligent, and have a higher likelihood of dating. Professional careers: A scientific study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics has found that people with ideal smiles are considered more intelligent and have a greater chance of finding a job when compared with people with less ideal smiles. The good news is, orthodontic treatment can give you an ideal smile, letting you ace all your job interviews!