Is Orthodontic Treatment the Latest Pandemic Trend?
Round Lake, Il – The pandemic has altered much of our lives. Daily personal interactions have been replaced by Zoom calls and seeing ourselves on a screen for hours out of our days can have us looking at ourselves in a new light. Little flaws we may not have thought bothered us may begin to creep up more, and with more time on our hands, this may be the ideal time to do something about them.
“The number of people seeking out orthodontic treatment is increasing, and in fact, many orthodontists have seen an uptick in their patient load since offices began reopening after the original shut-downs during the pandemic,” says Dr. Michael Stosich. “More time on Zoom calls may be one reason, but we know another reason is also due to the increase in stress levels. The American Dental Association reported an increase in issues such as teeth grinding and clinching, as well as chipped and cracked teeth. While these can be brought on by stress, they can often be relieved by orthodontic treatment.”
Getting the smile of your dreams is a great way to pass the time spent at home during the pandemic. Some people have taken up baking or other hobbies, but why not also take up something that can improve your self-esteem and oral health? Then, when life turns back to normal again, you’ll be able to show off a gorgeous new smile and healthy bite.
It’s important to note that orthodontic treatment isn’t only about cosmetics. While a beautifully straight smile is a lovely thing to show off, it will also lead to better oral health. Crooked and crowded teeth leave more places for plaque and tartar to build up, which over time can lead to decay and gum disease. Straighter teeth mean healthier teeth.
But that’s not all – an improperly aligned bite can wreak havoc on your life. Not just can it increase your risk of chipped, cracked or worn-down teeth, it also increases your risk for bone and joint problems. If you suffer from jaw pain or frequent headaches, your bad bite may just be the cause.
Research also suggests, though, that an orthodontic problem can have a profound effect on self-esteem. And low self-esteem can impact our overall quality of life. One study found that seven in 10 adults are self-conscious of their teeth, and 50% attempt to smile with their mouths closed to hide their teeth.
And that may just be the silver lining during this pandemic – orthodontic treatment can give you something to look forward to.
“We all need a light at the end of this tunnel,” says Dr. Stosich. “And for many people, that light has been orthodontic treatment. I have dedicated my life to the science behind moving teeth, and helping patients achieve their ideal smiles has been so rewarding, especially during this time when we all need something to smile about.”
Dr. Stosich and his team at Stosich Consulting treat patients of all ages, and offer virtual orthodontic consultations, making your path to a new smile easier than ever. And using a well-trained and certified orthodontist is important, especially now as we are seeing an increase in direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies.
While getting your orthodontic treatment accomplished completely from home may sound appealing, these at-home aligners may not be ideal and may not provide you with the results you are wishing for. Aligners are not the best treatment option for patients with more severe issues, as well as some crowding or other alignment issues. And at-home aligner results are less accurate than results achieved through in-person treatment.
“Teeth have to move through bone to get to their more ideal locations,” says Dr. Stosich, who has nearly twice the amount of training as the average orthodontist. “At-home companies may seem convenient, but if you get off track at any point, how will you be able to know? We can ensure that no matter what treatment option you choose, you’re smile is progressing properly, and we can make adjustments as needed to ensure the end result is a properly aligned bite and a beautifully straight smile.”
If the pandemic has had you wondering how you can improve your self-esteem or get better control of your oral health, orthodontic treatment might just be the answer.
