There are many misconceptions concerning orthodontics. Many people see this treatment as only straightening crooked teeth, while other people believe this is a treatment just for children/teens. We believe that it is valuable to change those preconceived ideas of limitations by offering a variety of services, orthodontic treatment to correct the jaw discrepancies, muscle dysfunctions, crooked teeth and misaligned bites in patients of all ages.

Too many people think that Invisalign/braces are for cosmetic purposes only, but Invisalign/braces can also improve your oral health. Better oral health leads to better overall health, as the mouth is the gateway to the body. Bacteria and plaque hide in crooked and overcrowded teeth, making daily brushing and flossing difficult and less effective. Orthodontic treatments are a great way to improve your health and your smile.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should see an orthodontist as early as age seven. This will allow the dentist to evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as under bite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.

What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early treatment benefit my child?

Crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites are just a few of the orthodontic problems that can be corrected with early treatment. Many times, these orthodontic issues can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, incorrect habits from mouth breathing, incorrect tongue posture to thumb-sucking, blanket biting, etc.

Children get the most benefit out of orthodontic treatment when it is started while their faces are still growing, usually between the ages of 7 to 8, sometimes earlier. Factors such as: locked up bones in the cranium, mouth breathing, tongue position, habits like thumb sucking, nutrition, posture, genetics — all these have an effect on how the face grows, the jaws form, and the teeth line up.

Occlusal (occlusion) Irregularities
That We Treat:

There are a handful of different types of occlusion irregularities, including:

• Overbite – the top teeth protrude further forward than the lower teeth, in some circumstances covering them.
• Underbite – the lower teeth protrude farther forward than the upper teeth, making the chin appear more prominent.
• Crossbite – Some of the upper teeth are closed inside the bottom teeth, instead of the top teeth enclosing the lower teeth.
• Overcrowding – Not enough room in an arch of teeth for all the teeth to erupt at the correct angle, pushing against each other and becoming rotated.
• Uneven Bite – Due to unevenness in the way the upper and lower teeth mesh together, the jaws do not press against each other with even force throughout, which can lead to problems like headaches, dizziness, and symptoms involving the ears, discomfort in the neck and TMJ disorders.