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Braces

Braces
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.07

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    discomfort, molded, specialty, majority, education, newly, sugary, cases, ordinary, allergy, regularly, funky, specialist, lower, bands, upper

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Braces
By Jennifer Kenny 		  
1     Smile. Are you showing off perfectly white, straight teeth? Could your smile use some help? Perhaps you don't need braces. Perhaps you will. Perhaps you have them already.
 
2     Not everyone has perfect teeth. Some people have crooked teeth. Some people have malocclusions, or "bad bites." When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, that is an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, that is an underbite. To correct the problems as well as issues with tooth development, accidents, and thumb sucking, an orthodontist is often consulted.
 
3     An orthodontist is a braces specialist. An orthodontist goes to dental school. Then, in order to receive a specialty certificate in orthodontics, he or she goes on for two or three more years of education.
 
4     An orthodontist sees patients of all different ages. The patient will sit in a dentist chair. The orthodontist will examine the patient's mouth. X-rays or computer pictures are often taken. Very often, a mold of the patient's teeth will be made.
 
5     The orthodontist will determine what is necessary and appropriate to prevent and treat mouth, teeth, and jaw problems. Very often, the orthodontist will suggest dental braces, also called orthodontic braces or brackets. Braces can be put on the upper teeth, the lower teeth, or both the upper and the lower teeth.

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