Misaligned teeth often cause secondary oral health issues that affect a person’s daily life. This is why dentists need to monitor the growth and development of the teeth and jaws starting from when the patient is a young age. These periodic dental checks allow for early detection and intervention for orthodontic problems.
While an orthodontist would prefer that treatment start at an early age, they will correct dental misalignment in patients of all ages. Keep reading to learn about common problems that orthodontists treat.
The pursuit of a perfect smile with straight, proportional teeth keeps orthodontists and cosmetic dentists in business. Yet dental misalignment goes deeper than these cosmetic concerns. These are a few of the oral health issues that could occur because of dental misalignment:
Fixing the misalignment of the teeth and/or jaw resolves whichever issues the problem causes. An aesthetically pleasing smile is the bonus that patients get from straightening their teeth. Here are common types of teeth misalignment.
Teeth crowding happens when the jaw has less space than the teeth need. This mismatch in the jaws and teeth occurs because of one of the following reasons:
These abnormalities with the teeth usually have their root cause in the structure of the jaw. An orthodontist may correct crowding by removing extra teeth. They may also prescribe an orthodontic appliance to straighten and align the teeth.
Ideally, a person’s upper teeth should cover the lower teeth, but the distance between the two dental arches should be minimal. With an overbite, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth and lower jaw, leaving a larger-than-normal gap between the two jaws. This causes problems like speech and eating difficulties. A severe overbite can also affect the shape of the face and could cause breathing difficulties.
Overbites can happen when the lower jaw is under-developed or an upper jaw has an abnormality. These are usually hereditary conditions that affect the growth and development of the jaw. Slight overbites can also result from early childhood habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier overuse. Orthodontists will use braces and other custom appliances to correct an overbite.
Gapping happens when the jaw is too big and too spacious for the teeth that it holds. Orthodontic treatment can bring the teeth closer together.
With an underbite, the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth, which can cause difficulties with speech and diet. A severe underbite can also cause breathing problems if the jaw’s structure obstructs the airway.
Most underbites result from an abnormality in the structure of the lower or upper jaws, which is often hereditary. Treatment involves using an orthodontic appliance to bring the lower jaw forward. An orthodontist may also recommend corrective jaw surgery for severe, debilitating cases.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontist in Whittier, CA
Misaligned teeth can become straight with a custom treatment plan from our orthodontist. Get in touch with our Whittier office to find out more.
Request an appointment or call Citrus Grove Orthodontics at 562-222-4829 for an appointment in our Whittier office.
An orthodontist specializes in malocclusions, or dental misalignments, that affect the jawbone, teeth, or facial symmetry. If a dentist recommended you or your child for this dental specialist, you may wonder what to expect at the first appointment. While it is a relatively simple process, there are some differences in how the orthodontist and their…
Having orthodontic care makes a lot of sense in many situations. If you have crooked teeth or bite dysfunctions, this treatment may be right. Orthodontics can also be effective if you have gaps in your mouth or oddly shaped or worn teeth. The same is true for a crowded mouth. If you neglect to seek…
Choosing braces to correct your teeth can be an exciting and life-changing decision, but the process itself does not always go as planned. While discomfort and pain are not typical experiences with orthodontic treatment, there are many reasons you might feel uncomfortable throughout your journey towards straighter teeth – from being fitted to after you…