What is Orthodontics?
Our Orthodontists Will Provide You With Care You Can Trust!
Welcome to Orthodontic Experts!
Orthodontics is the special branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws. Crooked teeth are tougher to keep clean affecting your oral hygiene. Plus, crooked teeth are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease. They can also cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that may lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder and back pain. Usually, teeth that are crooked could also take away from one’s appearance. Straight teeth can help you to bite, chew, and speak more effectively. Other benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
What Is an Orthodontist?
Orthodontists are also trained dentists. They are specifically equipped with 7,000 hours of training and specialize in dental movement and the function of the jaws. Orthodontists receive two or more years of education beyond their four years in dental school in an orthodontic training program approved by the American Dental Association. Our orthodontists will be able to advise on all dental or orthodontic issues that you or your child may be facing.
What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatments?
Although there are countless benefits of orthodontic treatments, here are 5 reasons why orthodontics is essential:
- Straight teeth can help you or your loved one to bite, chew, and speak more effectively.
- Properly aligned teeth and jaws can prevent future oral health problems such as tooth wear (attrition) and gum disease.
- One of the biggest benefits of orthodontic treatment is a beautiful, straight smile.
- Your smile contributes to your self-esteem, confidence and self-image in your personal and professional life.
- Orthodontic treatment such as braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic appliances can significantly improve your facial appearance as it brings teeth, jaws, and lips into harmony.
How Do I know if I Need Orthodontic Treatment?
Only your dentist or orthodontist will be able to figure out whether orthodontics is right for you. First, you will need to schedule an initial consultation (which is totally free!). During your first visit, our orthodontist will review your full medical and dental health history, perform a clinical exam, plaster models of your teeth, and take special X-rays and photographs. Afterwards, our orthodontist will decide whether orthodontics are recommended, and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
The following orthodontic problems will make you candidate for orthodontic treatment:
- Overbite, sometimes called “buck teeth” — where the upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth an excessive amount.
- Underbite — a “bulldog” appearance where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth are too far back.
- Crossbite — where the upper posterior (back) teeth erupt and function inside or outside of the arch in the lower posterior teeth or where the lower anterior (front) teeth erupt and function in front of the upper anterior teeth. A crossbite can involve individual teeth or groups of teeth.
- Open bite — where teeth do not make contact with each other. With an anterior open bite, the front teeth do not touch when the back teeth are closed together. With a posterior open bite, the back teeth do not touch when the front teeth are closed together.
- Misplaced midline— when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth.
- Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do directly next to each other.
- Crowding — when one or more teeth do not have enough room to align within the arch.
This information contained on this website is for the purposes of learning more about the different treatment options.