Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment is a type of dental treatment that addresses teeth and jaws that are incorrectly positioned. Most people have not been blessed with perfectly aligned teeth naturally and as such, the number of referrals for orthodontic treatment is growing every year.

Many people think that correctly positioned teeth are primarily a cosmetic concern. However, crooked teeth and misaligned bites can create a whole variety of health problems including head, shoulder, neck, and jaw pain as well as an increased risk of early tooth decay since crooked teeth are often more difficult to keep clean. These are just some of the reasons that orthodontic treatment is an investment in the future of your oral health, giving you a healthier mouth and a more confident smile.
 

Problems that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment

Your dentist may recommend you for orthodontic treatment if:

• Your teeth do not sufficiently fill your mouth,
  leaving you with lots of gaps.

• You have too many teeth trying to fit onto the dental ridge.

• You have an overbite – where the top teeth stick out over the bottom teeth when biting together.

• You have an under-bite – where the bottom teeth sit further forward than the top teeth when biting together.

• You have an open bite – where there are spaces between the surfaces of your teeth when biting together.

• You have a cross-bite – where the upper teeth fail to come down just in front of the lower teeth when biting together.

• The centerline of your top teeth fails to fall in line with the center of your bottom teeth.
  
   

What types of orthodontic treatment are available?

During your initial consultation with your orthodontic specialist, you will discuss which type, or types, of orthodontic treatment is right for you based on your specific needs.