While cosmetic treatments focus on improving the appearance of your smile, medically necessary orthodontic care addresses serious issues that affect how your teeth and jaws function. These cases involve structural problems that, if left untreated, can lead to chronic pain, tooth damage, sleep disorders, gum disease, and even systemic health concerns. Because of their direct impact on health and quality of life, these treatments may be eligible for insurance or state program coverage when properly documented.
Seven common indicators that orthodontic care may be medically necessary include:
At Dental Depot of Oklahoma, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, confident smile, and we make it easier than ever to get one. With a team of experienced orthodontic specialists, dental healthcare experts, and support staff, we provide comprehensive care for every age and stage of life, from children needing early intervention to adults seeking advanced alignment solutions. Our free initial consultations—offered both in person and virtually—give you the chance to explore your options with no pressure, while multiple convenient locations, flexible scheduling, and a commitment to commonsense, affordable treatment make quality orthodontic treatment fit within your schedule and your budget. Using advanced diagnostic tools and imaging technology, our team creates precise, personalized treatment plans that may include traditional braces, clear aligners, and other proven modalities to help you achieve lasting results and better oral health, so you can smile with confidence for years to come.
Not all orthodontic treatment is the same, and the reason for pursuing it plays a big role in how it’s classified and whether it may qualify for insurance coverage or state dental programs. In short, cosmetic orthodontics improve how your smile looks, while medically necessary treatment improves how your mouth and jaws work.
“Medically necessary” in orthodontics refers to treatments required not merely to improve appearance, but to correct functional and health‐related problems. These are dental or skeletal misalignments that interfere with vital functions like eating, breathing, speaking, or maintaining proper oral hygiene that, if left untreated, could lead to chronic pain, tooth damage, gum disease, sleep disorders, or even systemic health problems. Because they directly impact health and function, they are more likely to be covered by insurance or state dental programs as long as there is proper documentation of their severity and medical impact.
Key features of medically necessary orthodontic cases may include:
In contract, orthodontics that are considered cosmetic focus primarily on improving the appearance of the smile without affecting how the teeth, jaws, or bite function. These treatments are elective and typically chosen for aesthetic reasons, such as minor crowding or a slight gap between the front teeth. In these cases, the bite works properly, there’s no pain or discomfort, and the long-term health of the teeth and gums isn’t at risk.
There are many cases where orthodontic care is helpful but not strictly medically necessary. Examples include:
In these instances, insurance or state programs may not approve coverage; patients may need to pursue private payment or financing.
Determining whether orthodontic treatment is medically necessary goes beyond simply looking at how your teeth appear. Experts carefully evaluate how your bite, jaw alignment, and oral structures affect essential functions like chewing, breathing, and speaking. During an exam, they look for specific signs that indicate a potential health risk or functional problem, using clinical observation, imaging, and patient history to guide their recommendations. These indicators help determine whether orthodontic care is needed to protect your long-term oral and overall health.
What it suggests: Teeth or jaws are not coming together properly, such as with overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bite, or open bite.
Why it matters: Misaligned bites make chewing and speaking difficult, place stress on the jaw joints, and can cause uneven wear on tooth enamel, increasing the risk of damage over time.
What it suggests: A tooth is blocked from erupting into its proper place or comes in at an incorrect angle due to crowding or lack of space.
Why it matters: Impacted teeth can cause pain, crowd adjacent teeth, lead to bone loss, or even result in infections if left untreated.
What it suggests: The jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) is under strain due to poor bite alignment. Symptoms may include jaw pain, popping or clicking noises, locking, or tension headaches.
Why it matters: Persistent stress on the TMJ can lead to chronic discomfort, joint deterioration, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth normally.
What it suggests: The upper jaw is too narrow or underdeveloped, leaving limited space for teeth and potentially restricting airflow.
Why it matters: Without treatment, these issues can lead to crowding, breathing difficulties, sleep problems, and more complex orthodontic challenges later in life.
What it suggests: Misaligned teeth or an improperly developed jaw are interfering with tongue placement and oral mechanics.
Why it matters: These problems can make it harder to eat and speak clearly, which may affect nutrition, self-confidence, and social development—especially in children.
What it suggests: A narrow dental arch, retruded jaw, or other structural issue is partially blocking the airway during sleep.
Why it matters: Disrupted breathing during sleep can cause fatigue, cardiovascular strain, and—in children—can even hinder growth and cognitive development.
What it suggests: Overlapping or crooked teeth create tight, hard-to-clean spaces where plaque and bacteria build up.
Why it matters: This increases the risk of cavities and periodontal disease, which can eventually affect overall systemic health, including links to heart disease and diabetes.
Orthodontic treatment does far more than create a beautiful smile. When alignment issues affect the way your teeth and jaws function, they can have a ripple effect throughout the entire body. Medically necessary orthodontic care addresses these underlying problems, improving not only oral health but also breathing, digestion, and even emotional well-being. By restoring proper alignment, orthodontic care helps prevent future complications and supports long-term overall health.
Misaligned jaws or narrow dental arches can contribute to airway obstruction, which is a common factor in conditions like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Orthodontic treatment can open up the airway by repositioning the jaws or expanding the arches, making it easier to breathe during sleep. Better airflow improves oxygen levels, reduces cardiovascular strain, and helps patients feel more rested and alert during the day.
When the bite is unbalanced, it places extra stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles, and surrounding structures. This often leads to chronic jaw pain, tension headaches, and facial discomfort. By correcting misalignments, orthodontic care helps distribute bite forces evenly, relieving pressure on the joints and muscles and reducing or eliminating pain.
Chewing is the first step in digestion, and when teeth don’t meet properly, it can make eating certain foods difficult or even painful. As a result, some people avoid nutritious foods that are harder to chew, or they fail to break food down adequately before swallowing. Properly aligned teeth make chewing more efficient, which improves nutrient absorption and reduces strain on the digestive system.
Crowded or crooked teeth create hard-to-clean areas where plaque and bacteria can accumulate, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Gum disease, in turn, has been linked to systemic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Orthodontic treatment creates a healthier environment for daily oral hygiene, lowering the risk of both dental and whole-body health problems.
For children, early orthodontic intervention—often recommended by age 7—can guide jaw growth and prevent more severe skeletal issues from developing later on. Correcting bite problems at an early stage supports proper facial development, helps teeth erupt into better positions, and may reduce the need for complex surgery or extensive treatment in the future.
While some benefits are physical, others are psychological and social. Difficulty speaking clearly, discomfort while eating, or embarrassment about one’s teeth can take a toll on self-esteem and social interactions. Medically necessary orthodontic care not only restores proper function but also improves confidence, which can positively impact mental health and overall quality of life.
Orthodontic treatment can feel overwhelming, but at Dental Depot of Oklahoma, we make the process simple and stress-free. Our experienced doctors take the time to thoroughly evaluate your oral health, using advanced diagnostics to determine whether your orthodontic needs are cosmetic or medically necessary. If treatment is required, our team will guide you step-by-step, from navigating insurance—including SoonerCare—to creating a comprehensive plan tailored to your needs. With a wide range of dental experts under one roof, you can receive every aspect of your care in the same convenient location, often seeing the same trusted provider throughout your journey. Plus, with flexible financing options and acceptance of nearly all major insurance plans, we make it easier to access the care you need to achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
Visit us online to find the location nearest you and schedule an appointment today!