Treatments
Who needs orthodontics, and when?
Studies show that millions of people have oral health problems that could benefit
from orthodontic treatment. Without treatment, many of these people could develop
serious problems.
Although there is not a universal best age to begin treatment, the British Orthodontic
Society recommends that every child see an orthodontist at an early age. However,
a visit at any age is advisable if a particular problem has been noted by the parent,
family dentist, or child's doctor.
Orthodontic specialists can improve smiles at any age, but there are benefits to
early diagnosis. Early examination enables the orthodontist to detect and evaluate
problems and determine the appropriate time to treat them. After the initial evaluation,
the orthodontist may monitor facial growth and development by periodic checkups
while the permanent teeth erupt and the face and jaws continue to grow.
Early intervention frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age easier
and less time-consuming. In some cases, early treatment achieves results that are
unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. (Many orthodontic problems
can be corrected in adults as well as children, so adults should not hesitate to
consult an orthodontist to discuss a problem.
What are the most commonly treated orthodontic problems?
Crowding: Teeth may be aligned
poorly because the dental arch is small and/or the teeth are large. The bone and
gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result
of severe crowding. Impacted teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not),
poor biting relationships and undesirable appearance may all result from crowding.
Overjet or protruding upper teeth:
Upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower front teeth
are prone to injury, often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth (molars), and
may indicate an unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper teeth are associated
with a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw. Thumb and finger
sucking habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisor teeth.
Deep overbite: A deep overbite
or deep bite occurs when the lower incisor (front) teeth bite too close or into
the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite into the
palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, significant bone damage and discomfort
can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the incisor teeth.
Open bite: An open bite results
when the upper and lower incisor teeth do not touch when biting down. This open
space between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure to
be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and rubbing together
of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant
tooth wear.
Spacing: If teeth are missing
or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The
most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.
Crossbite: The most common
type of a crossbite is when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward
the tongue). Crossbites of both back teeth and front teeth are commonly corrected
early due to biting and chewing difficulties.
Underbite or lower jaw protrusion:About
3 to 5 percent of the population has a lower jaw that is to some degree longer than
the upper jaw. This can cause the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper
front teeth creating a crossbite. Careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development
is indicated for these patients
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