Orthodontics is the treatment of misalignment and other irregularities of the teeth and jaws.
Thank you for your interest in choosing our office for your orthodontic care. We offer a variety of orthodontic services from comprehensive care to Invisalign braces to space maintainers. Below you will find a list of services we provide. We can treat all ages and will gladly treat adults for their orthodontic care.
Crooked teeth and teeth that in the wrong place can detract from your appearance, but they are more than just a cosmetic problem. Misaligned teeth and teeth that fit together poorly are tougher to keep clean, for example, and they are vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease that which puts these teeth at greater risk for early loss. Poorly aligned teeth can place extra stress on your chewing muscles, and this can cause headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, and pain in your neck, shoulder or back.
About Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment provides a number of benefits, including a more pleasing appearance, a healthier mouth, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
Dental specialists known as orthodontists provide orthodontic care. Orthodontists attend an ADA-approved orthodontic training program for two or more years beyond their four years in dental school before they begin to provide orthodontic care.
Orthodontists use a number of different appliances to help move teeth, affect the growth of the jaws, and retrain muscles
Orthodontic appliances place gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws to cause these effects. The type of orthodontic appliances an orthodontist recommends depends largely on the cause and severity of tooth misalignment.
Orthodontic Conditions
Orthodontic treatments address a variety of conditions, such as:
Overbite(overjet) – also known as “buck teeth”. A condition where the upper front teeth protrude out too far forward from the lower front teeth
Underbite – where your upper teeth are too far back or lower teeth are too far forward, creating a “bulldog” appearance
Crossbite – occurs when the upper teeth fall inside the lower teeth when you bite down, instead of the normal bite where the upper teeth come slightly over the bottom teeth
Open bite – a condition where the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth do not meet when you bite down, leaving a bit of open space between them
Misplaced midline – when the center of your upper front teeth and the center of your lower teeth do not line up
Spacing – gaps or spaces that affect the appearance of your smile or prevent you from chewing food well. May be caused by missing teeth or teeth that are too small
Crowding – occurs when there is not enough room in the jaw(s) to accommodate all of your teeth
Deep Bite – excessive vertical overlap of the front teeth. The bottom front teeth may impinge on the gum tissue on the roof of the mouth causing damage to the gum tissue
While many orthodontic problems develop during childhood and adolescence, orthodontic services are not just for children – adults can benefit from orthodontics too. Quality orthodontic dental care is available to people of all ages in a positive, gentle, and caring environment.
Orthodontic Treatment Options
Orthodontic appliances may be fixed, which means they stay in place for a long time, or removable. Consisting of wires, bands and brackets, braces are the most common type of fixed orthodontic appliances. Other fixed appliances include fixed space maintainers to hold open a gap left by the premature loss of a baby tooth and appliances to control thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Removable orthodontic appliances include aligners that serve as an alternative to traditional braces for adults. Removable space maintainers, jaw repositioning appliances, removable retainers and removable headgear are other types of removable orthodontic appliances.
Your orthodontist can help you determine which orthodontic treatment option is right for you or for your child.
What to Expect During Your First Orthodontic Visit
Orthodontic treatment starts with a complimentary initial examination and discussion of the findings. After the exam, we will review the orthodontic condition(s) present with you. We will discuss how orthodontics can address the condition(s) present. We will also make recommendations for treatment procedures to be used, duration of treatment, the timing of treatment, the best appliances available, and whether the removal of permanent teeth is necessary. You are always welcome to ask questions during the initial examination and at any time during treatment. Quality orthodontic care begins with open, candid conversation about our diagnosis and recommendations, along with information about any alternative treatments that may be available.
Your time is valuable, so we are glad to expedite treatment by taking diagnostic orthodontic records ( two x-rays, photos and impressions) after the initial exam. These records are needed to develop an appropriate treatment plan and we will gladly take them after the initial exam if our schedule permits.