Do I Need Braces Quiz? (Checklist and Answers 2023)

Do you want to know if you need braces? Self-confidence and oral health are strongly influenced by your teeth’s appearance and bite alignment. Straightening and aligning your teeth, improving your bite, and improving your smile can be achieved through orthodontic treatment, such as braces. What should you do if you think you might benefit from braces? A “Do I Need Braces” quiz can be a great starting point to help you determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary.

1. Are your teeth crowded? It occurs when the jaw does not have enough room to comfortably fit all of the teeth.

2. Are your teeth spaced apart? The teeth may be too far apart when there is too much room in the jaw.

3. Are you overbite or underbite? The upper teeth overflow the lower teeth when they form an overbite, and the lower teeth protrude too far forward when they form an underbite.

4. Do you have an open bite or a crossbite? An open bite occurs when the front teeth do not touch, while a cross bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not align properly.

5. Do you have difficulty chewing or biting? The problem can be caused by misaligned teeth and an improper bite.

6. Is your speech difficult or do you have a lisp? An improperly aligned jaw and teeth can cause this problem.

7. Is your smile a source of self-consciousness? Self-esteem and confidence can be affected by crooked or misaligned teeth.

8. Is there any pain in your jaw or headaches? Bad bites and misaligned jaws can cause these problems.

In order to determine the need for braces or any other orthodontic treatment, a professional consultation with an orthodontist is necessary. In order to determine the best course of treatment, orthodontists will consider a number of factors and conduct a comprehensive examination and diagnosis.

The quiz is only for general information and should not be considered a substitute for professional examination and diagnosis.

Why Would I Need Braces?

If your teeth are misaligned, occluded or if you have too many teeth, you might need to have braces. If your teeth are crooked, it may be because your mouth cannot accommodate all the teeth you have. An orthodontist can remove some teeth to make room for the remaining teeth, and then install braces to correct the alignment of your remaining teeth.

What Types of Braces are Available?

Braces are now available in many forms and the degree of your issues and your personal preference will help determine the type of braces that your dentist or orthodontist recommends. Some of the choices available include traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

How Long Must I Wear Braces?

The length of time you’ll need to wear braces will depend on your unique situation, but usually between one and two years is average. After the braces are removed, you’ll probably need to wear a retainer so that your teeth remain in the correct position.

Fortunately, retainers can usually be worn during the night, they don’t need to be worn during the day. The length of time you’ll wear the retainer will depend on your unique needs, but your orthodontist will let you know the approximate amount of time that you’ll need to wear your braces.

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What if I Need Something Besides Braces?

Orthodontic work can correct many structural issues and your orthodontist may recommend surgery or other corrective procedure. If you’re unhappy with your smile for any reason, a consultation with an orthodontist can help you revamp your smile and restore your self-confidence.

How Long Will Orthodontic Work Take?

The length of time it takes to complete your orthodontic work will depend on the type of procedure you need and the degree of correction that you need. During your consultation, your orthodontist will advise you of the duration of your procedure and what to expect in the interim.

Take our “Do I Need Braces Quiz” to find out if you need to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.

Is Your Bite in Proper Alignment?

Your jaws should align with each other and your nose. If they don’t, then you may have a bite problem. The most common bite issues are:

• Overbite: More common than an underbite, an overbite makes your upper teeth protrude over your lower teeth.
• Underbite: An underbite occurs when your lower teeth protrude further than your upper teeth.
• Crossbite: If one or more of your teeth tilt toward your cheek or your tongue, then you may have a crossbite, which can occur on both sides of the mouth.

Although we normally think of bite issues as being cosmetic, when left untreated, they can cause difficulty with chewing, jaw pain, headaches, and deterioration of the jaw.

Do You have Lots of Cavities Even Though You Brush and Floss Regularly?

If you regularly practice good oral hygiene, but you have lots of cavities, it might be that you need to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. Irregularly spaced teeth with gaps in between can be the cause of your cavities because the gaps are an excellent place for food particles to lodge. Orthodontic work can eliminate those gaps.

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Do You Still Have Baby Teeth or do You Have an Impacted Tooth?

Baby teeth don’t always fall out and adult teeth can become impacted as a result. Several types of orthodontic work, including braces, alignment devices or surgery, can eliminate impacted, crooked, gapped or misaligned teeth.

Do You Have Difficulty with Chewing?

You should be able to chew easily, even though you may occasionally bite your tongue or cheek. If you have angled or misaligned teeth, you may experience painful injuries or sores and may bite your jaw or tongue more frequently. Orthodontic devices and procedures can straighten your teeth and reduce or eliminate the pain of crooked and misaligned teeth, so don’t delay in seeking treatment for this condition.

Does Your Jaw Make Sounds When You Chew or Does it Feel Like it Shifts out of Position?

If your jaw makes sounds when you chew or if it feels like your jaw shifts out of position, you might need orthodontic services. Your jaw shouldn’t make sounds or move when you chew and an orthodontist can fix that for you.

Does the Roof of Your Mouth Hit Your Lower Teeth When You Chew?

If you have a severe overbite, you may experience difficulty chewing because your lower teeth connect with the roof of your mouth rather than your upper teeth. A severe overbite can be corrected through orthodontic work, so make an appointment with a good orthodontist and correct this uncomfortable condition.

Have You Been Referred to an Orthodontist?

If your dentist has referred you to an orthodontist, we can help you. If you haven’t been referred, but think you need to see an orthodontist based on your answers to our “do I need braces test”, then you can refer yourself and reach out to an orthodontist near you.

Conclusion

It can be helpful to use a “Do I Need Braces” checklist to determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary. A list of symptoms is included on the checklist, such as crowding of teeth, spacing between teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, difficulty chewing or biting, speech difficulty, self-consciousness about appearance, and headaches. The checklist should not be used in place of a professional orthodontic consultation. Orthodontists conduct a detailed examination and diagnosis before recommending orthodontic treatment, and they are the only qualified professional capable of providing an accurate diagnosis and recommendation.

Disclaimer – This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about orthodontics and general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your orthodontist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Do I Need Braces? Take The Quiz

Perry Stevens

Perry heads up a dynamic marketing team that has help the leading orthodontic practices in the USA 10X their business for over a decade. He’s a tea connoisseur, avid reader, traveling and grower of exotic fruits in his permaculture food forest.