Common Orthodontic Issues and How Specialists Can Help

Posted on July 4, 2023

Have you ever felt self-conscious about your smile? You’re not alone. Many people suffer from orthodontic issues that can affect their confidence and oral health. But there’s good news: orthodontic specialists can help!

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. These issues can include crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, and overcrowding. Such problems can cause difficulties in chewing and speaking and may lead to dental problems.

If you have orthodontic issues that are causing you discomfort or embarrassment, the best thing to do is to see an orthodontic specialist. They have the tools and expertise to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

In this article, we’ll discuss some common orthodontic issues and how specialists can help you fix them.

Why You Should Seek Orthodontic Treatment From Specialists

When it comes to straightening teeth and correcting bite issues, it’s important to seek orthodontic treatment from specialists rather than general dentists.

  • Expertise: Specialists in orthodontics have undergone extensive training and education focused specifically on correcting dental and facial irregularities. They possess in-depth knowledge of the latest techniques and advancements in the field, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
  • Precision and Accuracy: Orthodontic specialists are skilled in diagnosing and treating various orthodontic issues, such as crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, and bite problems. Their expertise enables them to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, ensuring precise and accurate results.
  • Advanced Technology: Orthodontic specialists utilize state-of-the-art technology and equipment to assess, monitor, and treat orthodontic conditions.
  • Comprehensive Care: Orthodontic specialists offer comprehensive care throughout the entire treatment process. They provide ongoing monitoring, adjustments, and guidance to ensure the optimal progress and success of your orthodontic treatment.
  • Long-term Benefits: Seeking orthodontic treatment from specialists can result in long-term benefits for your oral health and overall well-being. Properly aligned teeth and a balanced bite can improve your dental function, enhance your smile’s appearance, and prevent future dental problems.
  • Collaborative Approach: Orthodontic specialists often work closely with other dental and medical professionals to ensure holistic care. They collaborate with general dentists, oral surgeons, and other specialists to address any underlying issues and achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.

By choosing orthodontic specialists, you can trust that you’re receiving specialized care from professionals dedicated to optimizing your oral health and creating a confident smile.

Overview of Common Orthodontic Issues

Orthodontic issues can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment for individuals of all ages. These issues may affect your ability to speak and eat properly, as well as impact your self-confidence.

Fortunately, orthodontists can provide treatment options to correct these problems. Some of the most common orthodontic issues are:

Crowding and Spacing

Crowding and spacing are two of the most common orthodontic issues that people face. Crowding occurs when there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth to fit comfortably, resulting in teeth overlapping or becoming crooked.

Spacing, on the other hand, happens when there is too much space between teeth, creating gaps that can affect a person’s bite and overall dental health. Both of these issues can be corrected with orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, which can alleviate discomfort and improve a person’s smile.

Treatment Options

  • Braces can be used to straighten teeth and close gaps between teeth caused by spacing. Dental braces for adults can be a big help.
  • Palatal expanders can be used to widen the upper jaw and create more space for teeth to alleviate crowding.
  • Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, can be used to straighten teeth without the need for traditional braces, and can also help with spacing and crowding issues.
  • Tooth extraction may be necessary in severe cases of crowding, to create space for existing teeth to shift into a better alignment.

Overbite and Underbite

UnderbiteAn overbite occurs when the top front teeth protrude over the bottom ones. It’s a common issue that is often inherited and can cause many problems if not treated.

Overbites can make you more susceptible to gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw pain. A specialist can diagnose an overbite using X-rays and other tests to determine the extent of the problem.

How Specialists Can Help with Overbites

Orthodontic specialists can help address overbites through various treatments, including braces, headgear, and functional appliances.

Braces are the most common treatment for treating overbites. The procedure involves applying metal brackets to your teeth and connecting them with wires.

Headgear and functional appliances are other options that can help to push your teeth back into the correct position. They work by applying gentle pressure on the jaw to shift the teeth into the right place.

An underbite is a condition where the lower teeth protrude further than the upper teeth when you bite. It can be caused by several factors, including genetics, thumb-sucking, or even tongue-thrusting. Common symptoms of an underbite are difficulty, chewing, speaking, and biting.

How Specialists Can Help with Underbites

Orthodontic specialists can treat underbites with traditional braces (metal or clear options), clear aligners, or even surgery in severe cases. The treatment mainly depends on the severity of the problem and the patient’s age.

Crossbite

Crossbite refers to a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth in which some of the teeth, particularly the molars, are not properly aligned.

This can lead to various issues such as difficulty chewing, jaw pain, and an increased likelihood of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Crossbite can also cause the teeth to become worn down, which may contribute to further oral health problems.

Treatment Options

  • Orthodontic braces can be used to correct a crossbite by gradually moving teeth into the proper position.
  • A palatal expander can be used to widen the upper jaw and correct a crossbite.
  • Orthognathic surgery may be necessary for severe cases of crossbite that cannot be corrected with braces or a palatal expander.
  • Invisalign can also be used to correct certain types of crossbites.

Open Bite

An open bite is a dental condition where the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is in a resting position. This creates a gap between the teeth and affects the appearance of the smile.

It can also lead to issues with speech, chewing, and swallowing. An open bite can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, and prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle.

Treatment Options

  • Braces or clear aligners can be used to straighten teeth and close gaps to improve the bite.
  • Orthognathic surgery may be necessary to correct severe cases of open bites.
  • Headgear or other orthodontic appliances may be used in conjunction with braces or aligners to aid in correcting the open bite.
  • Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) may be used to move teeth into the correct position.

Jaw Growth Problems

Jaw growth problems are a common issue in orthodontics. These problems can lead to a misaligned bite, which can cause a range of issues from difficulty chewing and speaking to facial asymmetry and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

This is why orthodontists closely monitor the growth and development of the jaw during treatment to ensure proper alignment. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may need to be delayed until the jaw has finished growing, while in other cases, orthognathic surgery may be recommended to correct the jaw position.

Identifying and addressing jaw growth problems is essential for achieving a healthy and functional smile.

Seek Treatment From Specialists When You Have Orthodontic Issues

Orthodontic issues can range from mild to severe, and seeking treatment from specialists is important to ensure you receive the best care possible. Orthodontic specialists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws.

In addition, seeing a specialist for orthodontic treatment can help reduce the risk of complications and ensure long-lasting results. That’s why OrthoSynetics is here to help.

OrthoSynetics is a leading provider of orthodontic practice management services, connecting patients and the most skilled and experienced orthodontic specialists in the area. Contact us today for more details and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.