What does your smile say about you?
Whether it’s for aesthetic reasons, good health, proper jaw function or a combination of them all, orthodontic treatment can help correct many different health related issues.
Your Smile Says a Lot!
Aesthetics is one of the more popular reasons for orthodontic treatment. A healthy smile can make a positive difference in many different aspects of a person’s life.
As a physical representation of the inner-self, a beautiful smile is a meaningful part of making good impressions with others. It can help people look and feel their best as well as increase self-confidence. Most people associate a nice smile with friendliness and approachability.
In many cases, orthodontic treatment has helped both social and career success, and aided in improving people’s general attitude toward life.
Straight Teeth are Happy Teeth!
It’s a fact: Straight teeth are less prone to tooth decay, gum disease and injury than crooked teeth. Studies have shown that straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth. Because straight teeth typically stay cleaner, they are less likely to acquire plaque (a major factor in most tooth decay and gum disease). As for injury, when protruding teeth are straightened, there is a smaller probability for them to become fractured if an accident were to occur, therefore reducing the need for corrective dental work.
Prevention is the Best Medicine!
When orthodontic problems such as crowded, crooked or protruding teeth go untreated, they can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces and inefficient chewing function. If a tooth’s protective surface is worn too thin, increased sensitivity and a greater chance for it to become fractured can occur. Not to mention, inefficient chewing from untreated orthodontic problems can cause a misalignment of the jaw joints. This misalignment can often lead to chronic headaches or pain in the face and neck.
In most cases, orthodontic treatment can help to prevent the need for costly restorative dental care to correct these problems.
Function
Teeth that are crowded, protruded or misaligned do not function as well as straight teeth. This can result in increased tooth wear, greater chance of tooth fracture, and increased sensitivity.
Common Problems
Horizontal Overbite | Vertical Overbite | Crowding | Crossbites | Openbites | Spacing | Dental Midlines Not Matched | Impacted Canine | Missing Teeth | Surgical
Horizontal Overbite (protrusion of upper teeth)
This type of bite can result from the upper teeth being too far forward or the lower teeth being too far back. Function and esthetics are compromised with this type of bite.
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Vertical Overbite (deep bite)
The upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth. We often see increased wear and crowding of the lower front teeth in this type of bite.
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Crowding
This occurs when there is inadequate space in the jaws for the teeth. Room for the teeth can often be made through expansion, especially in the younger patients; although in some patients extraction of teeth is needed to gain enough space.
Non-Extraction
Non-extraction Upper Teeth (video)
Non-extraction Lower Teeth (video)
Extractions
Extraction Upper First Premolars (video)
Extraction Lower Incisior (video)
Extraction Lower Second Premolars (video)
Extraction Lower Incisor (video)
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Crossbites
This is when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth either in the front or on the side. Left untreated, crossbites can lead to unfavorable jaw growth, increase stress to the jaw joints, and cause excessive tooth wear.
Crossbite Uncorrected (video)
Crossbite Corrected (video)
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Openbites
The upper and lower teeth do not meet. Proper chewing and speech are often affected with this type of bite.
Openbites (video)
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Spacing
Most of the time spacing is an esthetic concern, but sometimes spacing can mean missing or undersized teeth.
Spacing 1 (video)
Spacing 2 (video)
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Dental Midlines Not Matched
When the midlines of the upper and lower front teeth are not centered, this usually indicates that the back teeth do not match properly. Function may be compromised by this type of bite.
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Impacted Canine
Impacted Canine (video)
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Missing Teeth
Implant Missing Premolar (video)
Closing Space (video)
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Surgical
Mandibular Advancement (video)
Mandibular Set Back (video)
Jaw Surgery (video)
Comparison with Ortho (video)
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With all the wonderful benefits of straight teeth and a proper bite, orthodontics is a great investment in your future and your health.