How An Orthodontist Can Treat You

Orthodontists from smilebar.com correct malocclusions, which are misalignments in the teeth or jaws. These include an overbite or underbite, which are a result of lack of space in the jawbone for adult teeth to grow in.

Overbite

Overbite occurs when the top and bottom teeth overlap excessively. An overbite is a type of malocclusion and can impact the function of the mouth, jaw and airway. It can lead to health issues such as reduced oxygen supply, snoring and sleep apnea.

Overbite can be caused due to genetics, a smaller lower jaw and overly strong chewing muscles. Overbite is more common in children who regularly sucke their thumbs or fingers after the age of five. This can push the upper teeth forward and cause the bone to move.

The best way to address a severe overbite is through traditional braces and in some cases jaw surgery, depending on the cause of the problem. Your orthodontist will assess your overbite, using X-rays, digital scans and dental impressions to understand the extent of the problem and how it has developed over time.

Overbites can be caused by protruding teeth, which can make people self-conscious in social situations. It’s not just an aesthetic issue either; overbites can also be at risk of damaging the teeth if they are knocked or chipped, which can lead to tooth loss.

Braces and rubber bands can correct mild overbites by applying pressure to the teeth. This can help improve the shape of the face and make you more confident. For best results, you should follow your orthodontist’s instructions.

Underbite

Underbite can lead to a variety of problems, including speech impairments, chewing issues and tooth wear. It can also cause bacterial growth, which can lead gum disease and bad breathe. Underbites may cause sleep disorders such as snoring or teeth grinding (bruxism) in severe cases. Underbites should be treated as soon as possible, while they are still growing. This allows the orthodontist to correct the problem using less invasive treatments.

Underbite can easily be corrected by using appliances, such as a protraction or reverse pull facemask, or upper jaw expanders. The appliance gradually widens the upper jaw, bringing it forward and over the lower. This is usually done as an outpatient procedure, with an oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgery working with the orthodontist.

The orthodontist can use braces on adults to improve dental alignment, and provide space for lower jaw. This can be done using traditional metal braces, or clear aligners like Invisalign. This process can take from a few months up to a couple of years, depending upon the patient and their specific needs. Regular visits to the dentist are essential to ensure that you achieve the best results.

In severe cases, surgery may be needed to correct the underbites. This type of surgery is known as orthognathic surgery, and it is usually performed on an outpatient basis with the help of a local oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgery. It involves several procedures, including bone reshaping and cutting, tooth removal, and the use of screws, wires, and plates to hold the jaw in position.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding is a dental problem in which your teeth are too close together. Orthodontists often treat this problem, which comes in many shapes and sizes. Crowding can affect both the upper and lower jaw. The problem causes overlapping and crooked teeth, and it can prevent new teeth from growing in properly. It may also lead to impacted teeth (teeth stuck partially or completely under the gum line).

Genetics can play a major role in determining whether you experience overcrowding. However, other factors may also be involved. A small jaw can make the condition more common in people with smaller jaws. Their jaws are not large enough to accommodate all their adult teeth. Crowding can also occur when baby teeth are lost prematurely or don’t fall out in a normal manner. Overcrowding can also be caused by people who thumb-suck or have other habits that cause teeth to shift.

Orthodontic treatment is designed to realign or create space to correct overcrowded teeth. This process is typically a lengthy one that includes braces or clear aligners. The ultimate goal is to have a healthy, functional, straight smile with healthy teeth that can be easily cleaned.

Orthodontists will use a technique known as interproximal decrease to reduce crowding. This involves removing a part of a teeth that takes up space in your mouth and gaining space in the arch with another tooth. If, for example, your upper premolar takes up 14mm in the arch form, you can remove a portion of it to allow room for permanent teeth to grow. This is a popular treatment because it is less invasive and relatively painless.

Diastema

Gaps between the teeth are often referred to as diastemas, and they can affect people of all ages. However, gaps between the front teeth are more common among children, and many of them will close on their own as the permanent adult teeth grow in. Adults, on the other hand, may choose to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.

A gapped tooth can be caused by many factors, such as genetics or the size of your teeth and jaw. You can also get them from bad habits like thumb sucking and grinding your teeth. In some cases, a gap can be caused by periodontal disease. This is when bacteria attack the gum tissues and cause teeth to shift.

Another reason you might choose to get a diastema treated is because of the discomfort that can occur as a result of food lodgment between your teeth. A gap can also affect your speech, making certain sounds more difficult to pronounce.

Orthodontic treatment can be the most effective way to close a diastema. Braces and clear aligners can be used to close a diastema by moving teeth gradually into the desired positions. They can also be used to address other issues, such as an oversized frenum or a cyst, which can lead to the formation of the gap. The orthodontist usually cuts away excess tissue to release tension and pressure, which is causing the gap. They will then use orthodontic treatment to encourage teeth to realign, and the gap close.

Excess teeth

Tooth misalignment is not only common, but it also impacts the quality of your smile. These problems are often caused by anomalies, such as extra or displaced teeth, medically known as hyperdontia. Orthodontists can correct these dental issues using a variety strategies.

The majority of cases of excess teeth occur during a dental exam, when the patient notices that they have more teeth than normal. These teeth are known as supernumerary, and they can appear anywhere in your mouth, above or beneath the gum line. They can be normal shaped or differently shaped, such as peg shaped or small tooth-like clusters, or even elongated. In some cases, the extra teeth are a result of hereditary predisposition while others are due to growths or tumors within the jaw.

These teeth are usually not of concern, but can cause an uneven smile by blocking the eruption and growth of other permanent teeth. They can also become impacted which can lead infection.

Consult an orthodontist immediately upon noticing these teeth. They can then help you decide the best time to have them removed. Orthodontists will recommend removing a tooth that is a mestiodens, or one between the two central teeth, before it grows in. If the tooth in question is a distomolar (or paramolar), it may be best to leave it untouched if it is not fully erupted or developed.