Apgujeong Orthodontics Is Not Always the Right Answer

Hello.

We are Blanche Dental Clinic, which carefully looks after both patients’ smiles and their hearts.

When you look in the mirror and think,

"Should I try orthodontic treatment too?"

you may have wondered about this at least once.

Because a well-aligned set of teeth is an important factor in giving a neat impression, many people take an interest in orthodontic treatment.

However, if you search online,

it is easy to come across posts that describe orthodontics as if simply getting braces will completely change your facial shape

and dramatic changes are guaranteed.

As a practicing dentist, I will speak honestly.

Orthodontic treatment is not necessary for everyone,

and not every case produces the level of aesthetic change people hope for.

In fact, there are cases where people invest a large amount of money and a long period of time (1 to 2 years),

only to feel less satisfied with the results

or go through hardships that were not really necessary.

If you are preparing for a consultation, please make sure to check whether you might fall into a case where orthodontic treatment is not needed.

The first case is when someone visits the clinic with vague expectations, without a clear awareness of any problem with their own teeth.

Orthodontic treatment is a dental medical process.

• "My bite does not fit properly, so digestion is not good."

• "My speech is unclear, so communication is inconvenient."

• "I have a complex about crowded teeth or protruding teeth, so I cover my mouth when I smile."

In this way, there needs to be a clear functional or aesthetic goal that you want to improve, so the medical team can check the oral condition

and establish a specific treatment plan, which can also increase the patient’s satisfaction after treatment.

However, if there are no functional problems,

and the teeth look aligned to other people, but you are fixated on very minor details that only you notice,

or if you begin with a vague fantasy such as,

"If I get braces, will I become pretty like a celebrity?"

you may be disappointed if the changes after treatment do not meet your expectations.

Orthodontics is a process of aligning the teeth to refine your image;

it is different from plastic surgery, which changes the appearance of the eyes, nose, and mouth themselves.

This part is the most important,

and the part many people misunderstand.

Orthodontic treatment literally moves the "teeth."

For adults whose growth has already ended, it is not possible to reduce the size of the "jawbone" or "cheekbones" themselves.

① Severe skeletal underbite (crossbite)

This is a case where the lower jawbone itself has genetically grown too much and protrudes forward.

By adjusting the angle of the teeth, it may be possible to make it look less protrusive to some extent, but if you want to move the chin position itself backward,

surgical treatment (such as double-jaw surgery) may need to be combined.

② Facial asymmetry (skeletal)

It is possible to improve the appearance of symmetry by aligning the dental midline, but skeletal asymmetry itself, such as when the maxilla is tilted or the nose is crooked, may be difficult to fundamentally resolve with orthodontics alone.

③ Face size reduction

If the mouth is brought inward through extraction orthodontics, you can expect a visual change that makes the jawline look slimmer, but the cheekbones do not move inward, and the square jawbone itself does not shrink.

The third case is when a person has a low pain threshold or is excessively concerned about side effects.

Because orthodontic treatment is a process of artificially moving the teeth,

a feeling of tightness and throbbing pain may occur for several days after the appliance is first attached or after each monthly adjustment.

• "I’m worried that the pain will make daily life impossible."

• "I saw online that it can make the gums worse, and that scares me."

People who are very sensitive to pain often find it hard to endure the usual bracket (metal braces) process,

or they may want to quit treatment partway through.

For such patients, we may recommend transparent aligners (such as Invisalign), which involve relatively less pain,

or suggest other alternatives if the goal is mainly aesthetic.

Also, if your anxiety is too severe because of unverified information, that stress itself can negatively affect treatment, so rather than forcing a start, we recommend proceeding when you are mentally prepared.

If oral care is managed thoroughly under the plan of an experienced medical team, the likelihood of side effects can be reduced.

For adults, if the gum bone is strong, orthodontic treatment is possible even in your 60s or 70s. (In fact, I personally treated my own parents with braces after their 60s.)

However, timing is very important for children in the growth period.

In particular, if you see a crossbite pattern where the lower teeth cover the upper teeth, you should visit the dentist as soon as it is discovered.

During the growth period, the jawbones are still flexible, so devices such as a face mask or Pre-Ortho can help guide jaw growth in the right direction.

If this period is missed, surgical treatment may be needed in adulthood, so regular checkups from around ages 4 to 6 are recommended.

Orthodontic treatment is a process of changing part of my body.

Rather than low cost or exaggerated advertising phrases,

what matters is whether the clinic diagnoses the patient’s condition objectively using data,

whether it honestly says, "If it cannot be done, it cannot be done,"

and whether it is a hospital that remains responsible to the end without changing the doctor in charge during the long treatment period.

If you are wondering whether your teeth are in a condition that definitely requires orthodontic treatment,

or what positive changes you can expect from orthodontics,

please feel free to leave a comment anytime.

I will reply in detail.

This was Gangnam Blanche Dental Clinic. Thank you.

※ Compliance with the Medical Service Act and Notice

• This post was written directly by [Blanche Dental Clinic] for the purpose of providing accurate medical information about orthodontic treatment, and complies with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.

• Depending on an individual’s oral condition and skeletal structure, the treatment period and results of orthodontic treatment may vary.

• If oral care is neglected during orthodontic treatment, side effects such as root resorption, gum inflammation (periodontitis), cavities, and relapse after orthodontic treatment may occur, so please make a careful decision after sufficient consultation with the medical staff in charge.