There are several reasons why orthodontics is important. Misaligned and crooked teeth are hard to maintain and keep clean. This can promote tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Additional misalignment problems of your teeth can contribute to abnormal wear of the top surfaces of your teeth, inefficient and poor chewing ability, or excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care and maintenance required to treat these common dental problems. Finally, the most obvious reason for orthodontics is a beautiful, self confident smile!