Invisalign

Orthodontics: Correcting Crooked Teeth and Jaw Alignment

Orthodontics is a crucial branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting crooked teeth and addressing jaw-related issues. Through various treatments and procedures, orthodontists create customized plans to assist patients in achieving optimal dental health. They utilize braces to address crowding and appliances to correct skeletal defects, ensuring proper alignment of the jaws.

The Importance of Orthodontic Treatment

Crooked teeth can lead to several problems, such as improper positioning within the dental arches, making them susceptible to caries. Maintaining oral hygiene becomes challenging with misaligned teeth, and aesthetic concerns may arise. Additionally, these issues can result in periodontal effects, potentially leading to tooth loss or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases. By seeking orthodontic treatment, you can effectively manage jaw-related concerns and malocclusions, safeguarding your oral health.

Determining the Need for Orthodontic Treatment

When you visit our clinic, our team performs a comprehensive clinical assessment of your oral profile. We evaluate your jaw structure for any skeletal defects and examine your dentition for crowding or spacing. To diagnose the problem accurately, we also consider your complete dental history and may take various radiographs, such as lateral cephalometry or orthopantomograms (OPGs).

Common Orthodontic Issues

• Crowding: This occurs when teeth are closely packed within the dental arch, often due to short jaws or an excessive number of teeth.
• Crossbites: In crossbite situations, the upper teeth fail to overlap the lower teeth when biting.
• Open Bites: Open bites refer to the inability to close the mouth or properly achieve occlusion.
• Teeth Spacing: When teeth are spread apart within the dental arch, creating gaps due to a lack of teeth or a small jaw.
• Other Problems: Additional issues that may require orthodontic treatment include overbite, midline shift, skeletal class II or class III malocclusions, micrognathia (short jaws), macrognathia (big jaws), and habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing.

Treatment Modalities for Orthodontic Concerns

• Dental Braces: Braces are the most common orthodontic appliance used to address irregular and crowded teeth.
• Space Maintainers: These devices are employed in children with premature tooth loss to guide the proper eruption of permanent teeth.
• Headgear: Headgear helps control jaw position and facilitates proper alignment.
• Chin Cups: These appliances guide forwardly placed chins back to their correct positions.

Experience the Benefits of Orthodontic Care

We hope this information has helped you understand how our orthodontists can assist you. If you are experiencing any orthodontic problems that require specialized treatment, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let our team provide the support and expertise needed to enhance your dental health and overall well-being.

Are you a dentist? Do you want to team up with us?