Underbite
Early correction of underbite is recommended because it can:
Prevent proper functioning of the front and/or back teeth.
Be related to jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ).
Make your smile less attractive.
How can an underbite be orthodontically corrected?
Underbite can be corrected by growth modification of the jaws; extraction of teeth; and in some cases surgical movement of the jaws.
Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is one that has failed to erupt normally into the mouth and remains partially or totally covered by the gums and/or bone. Impactions can be caused by improper position of the developing tooth bud, premature loss of primary teeth, and crowding. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted teeth, but canines and premolars are also commonly impacted.
This problem should be corrected because it can:
Cause damage to the root structure of adjacent teeth.
Leave unwanted spaces.
Lead to improper functioning of the teeth.
Cause asymmetric alignment of the teeth.
How can impacted teeth be orthodontically corrected?
Usually the impacted tooth is exposed and orthodontically moved into the correct position. Correction of impacted teeth often involves a minor surgical procedure performed by an oral surgeon working closely with our practice. This will allow us to guide the impacted tooth into the proper position.
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can be the result of congenital absence (the tooth fails to develop), trauma, or dental extractions.
This problem should be corrected because it can:
Cause improper functioning of teeth.
Cause premature wear of teeth.
Cause asymmetric alignment of the teeth.
Make your smile less attractive.
How can missing teeth be orthodontically corrected?
Depending upon the situation, the space can be closed with braces or opened for tooth replacement. A bridge or dental implant is used to replace the missing tooth if a space is created.
Crowding Of Teeth
Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be rotated or displaced. Crowding occurs when there is disharmony in the tooth- to-jaw size relationship or when the teeth are larger than the available space. Crowding can be caused by early or late loss of primary teeth, improper eruption of teeth, or a genetic imbalance between jaw and tooth size.
Crowding should be corrected because it can:
Make it much more difficult to properly clean all the surfaces of your teeth.
Increase the chances of dental decay (because of inadequate cleaning).
Increase the chances of gum disease (because of inadequate cleaning).
Make your smile less attractive.
How can crowding be orthodontically corrected?
Extra space can be created by expansion of the arches or extraction of teeth. Once space is created, braces are used to align the teeth. Correction of crowding can help prevent dental decay and periodontal disease by improving the ability to remove plaque from the teeth.
Classification Of Teeth
The classification of bites are broken down into three main categories: Class I, II, and III. This classification refers to the position of the first molars and how they bite together.
Class I: Class I is a normal relationship between the upper and lower teeth and jaws or balanced bite.
Class II: Class II is where the lower first molar is posterior (or more towards the back of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the upper front teeth and jaw project further forward than the lower teeth and jaw. There is a convex appearance in profile with a receding chin and lower lip. Class II problems can be due to insufficient growth of the lower jaw, an over growth of the upper jaw, or a combination of the two. In many cases, Class II problems are genetically inherited, and can be aggravated by environmental factors such as digit sucking. Class II problems are treated via growth redirection to bring the upper and lower teeth and jaws into harmony.
Class III: Class III is where the lower first molar is anterior (or more towards the front of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the lower teeth and jaw project further forward than the upper teeth and jaw. There is a concave appearance in profile with a prominent chin. Class III problems are usually due to an overgrowth in the lower jaw, an undergrowth of the upper jaw, or a combination of the two. Like Class II problems, they can be genetically inherited.
Early Treatment/Two-Phase Orthodontics
Two-phase orthodontic/orthopedic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses jaw and facial charges (orthopedics) and tooth straightening (orthodontics). The emphasis today on living longer, staying healthy, and looking attractive requires optimum treatment results. The major advantage of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic, and comfortable result that will remain stable. The first phase of orthodontics is commonly referred to as the interceptive phase and the second phase is the corrective phase. An orthodontic evaluation is necessary to determine if your child is a good candidate for two-phase orthodontics.
The goals of first phase treatment (interceptive) are:
To develop both the upper and the lower jaws sufficiently to accommodate all of the permanent teeth.
To correctly relate the upper and lower jaws to each other.
Limit the time necessary for the second phase of treatment.
Avoid later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding.
Avoid surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws.
The goals of second phase treatment are:
Provide each tooth a position where it is in harmony with the cheeks, tongue, jaws, jaw joints and other teeth.
A bite which is stable, functional, and looks attractive.
The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of the permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment is the possibility of a compromised result that may not be functionally healthy or stable and may require preventable adult tooth extraction or jaw surgery