ORTHODONTICS

Orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite, and jaws.

Orthodontists are dentists who attend two to three more years of additional specialty training in a residency program after dental school. During their residency, they gain expertise in treating dental malocclusion, or misalignment, with orthodontic appliances like braces and palatal expanders.

What Can Orthodontists Treat?

Orthodontics requires individualized treatment for the wide variety of dental malocclusions among patients.  These are the most common types of misalignments we treat at our practice:

CROWDING: Crowding is when the jaw is too small to accommodate all the adult teeth, and can be caused by early baby tooth loss or a genetic imbalance in the ratio of tooth to jaw size. Aside from the negative cosmetic appearance, crowded teeth are difficult to keep clean. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and lead to enamel erosion and risk of damage to protruding teeth.

SPACING: The opposite of crowding, spacing means that there is too much room in the jaw, resulting in gaps between teeth. It’s often hereditary, but can also be caused by tooth loss or by habits like thumb-sucking. Spacing can lead to food and plaque being trapped, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease while also putting you at risk for bone loss in the jaw.

OVERJET: More commonly referred to as “buck teeth,” overjet is when the upper front teeth stick out too far. Overjet can be genetic or caused by oral habits, such as thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or tongue thrust. Overjet teeth are at greater risk of damage from facial trauma due to their protruding position, and can also lead to enamel erosion and jaw pain.

OVERBITE: A deep vertical bite, overbite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth more than they should. An excessive overbite, referred to as a deep bite, can lead to the bottom teeth biting into the roof of the mouth. Often overbite is hereditary, but can also be caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching or from a missing lower tooth. A deep bite increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, chewing problems, excessive wear of the enamel, and jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. Some overbites can even cause sleep apnea.

UNDERBITE: An underbite is a condition when the bottom teeth sit in front of the top teeth, due to the lower jaw protruding further than the upper jaw.  Underbites are usually genetic and are caused by the upper and lower jaw growing at different rates.  An underbite can lead to difficulties in speaking properly, chewing, and breathing.  It can put undue strain on the jaw and chewing muscles, leading to jaw and TMJ pain.

CROSSBITE: A crossbite is when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth when biting down. An anterior or front crossbite is when teeth towards the front of the mouth are affected, while a posterior or back crossbite is when teeth in the back of the mouth are affected. A crossbite can be hereditary but is also caused by oral habits like prolonged thumb sucking, or by facial trauma. A crossbite can lead to biting and chewing problems, jaw and TMJ pain, and uneven enamel wear. A crossbite can cause patients to shift their jaw to the side, which can cause permanent changes to the facial structure.

OPEN BITE: An open bite is when the top and bottom front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed.  This can result from oral habits like excessive thumb sucking or tongue thrust. An open bite can cause problems with biting and chewing, speech, and can also lead to jaw pain and excessive wear on the teeth that do touch.

Treatments for Teens and Adults

No matter what is causing your teeth to not fit together correctly, we provide orthodontic treatment to give you the healthy, straight smile you deserve.  Our doctors treat both teens and adults, providing treatment with traditional braces to gently realign your teeth, as well as clear braces to gradually move teeth into the right position.  We also provide palatal expanders, headgear, space maintainers, custom-made retainers, and more to correct orthodontic issues.  

If you would like to learn more about the orthodontics services we offer, we encourage you to call our dental office at 215 567-2666. One of our dentists can meet with you, examine your teeth, and discuss how a bonding procedure can be used to improve your smile.