Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we love working with our patients day in and day out to create beautiful, custom smiles. But what’s in a smile? That is, what is orthodontic treatment all about?
When it comes down to it, your orthodontist will likely address issues surrounding your bite. You may be thinking, how can orthodontics fix my bite?
That’s exactly where we come in! There’s a reason Dr. Wilson was named one of America’s Top Dentists in Dentist Monthly magazine. He’s an expert on smiles, the bites that make them, and the problems those bites can have.
No one in Frisco is better equipped to take care of your smile, and that’s why we asked him to sit down and discuss the common problems associated with bites and the fantastic solutions you’ll find here at Wilson Orthodontics. Read on!
Even though every bite is different, it comes down to one of a few environmental or genetic factors:
In the case of an overbite, the upper front teeth overlap or cover part of the lower front teeth. This can lead to excessive wear and tear of the teeth, particularly the incisors (the two front teeth). Another concern with an overbite is the possibility of damage to the gum tissue leading to excessive gingival display (that’s a gummy smile to the rest of us).
Most often, traditional or clear braces or even aligners such as Invisalign can correct the issues leading to an overbite.
Also known as an anterior crossbite, this is where the lower jaw sits out in front of the upper jaw. When uncorrected, underbites can lead to excessive stress and pressure on the joints of the jaw and face. That means tension headaches, tooth grinding, and temporomandibular disorders, or TMJ.
Underbites typically require more aggressive treatment than would be the case for the more common mild overbites. In more severe cases of underbite, Dr. Wilson may refer you to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon with whom he’ll work closely to reshape the jaw to develop a proper bite.
Refers to a misalignment of either the teeth, jaws or both, in which upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. This often becomes worse over time and can lead to issues with properly chewing food. The sooner this is detected, the better. That’s why we recommend that even if you don’t notice any visible malocclusion in your child’s teeth, you take them in to see an orthodontic specialist like Dr. Wilson by the time they’re seven years old, according to the ADA.
Another case in which early detection can save a whole heap of trouble, an open bite may lead to swallowing and airway issues! This is the case for both anterior and posterior open bites.
With an anterior open bite, the upper and lower teeth never meet or overlap when the back teeth are together, causing a visible gap in the space, leading to the name. A posterior open bite is similar, but the front and side teeth will close properly, but a gap forms in the back teeth.
Dr. Wilson will fit you or your child with custom braces specially designed for dealing with an open bite, so never fear!
One of the most common orthodontic issues, crowding, can cause self-esteem issues due to a lack of confidence in your smile, but there are more functional concerns as well. Crowding can lead to difficulty maintaining proper dental hygiene. The undue pressure and proliferation of hard-to-clean areas can cause an increase in cavities and gum disease, such as gingivitis.
The opposite of crowding, in spacing, as the name suggests, there is just too much space between teeth. All that extra space is ideal for forming harmful plaque and bacteria, so just like crowding, this can lead to gum disease and other oral hazards that accompany difficulties in maintaining proper dental hygiene.
Dental Midlines
Often a result of early loss of baby teeth or missing permanents, dental midline issues result from your upper and lower incisors not aligning symmetrically. For a famous example of dental midline issues, check out early photos of the actor Tom Cruise.
His dental midline issues were addressed with braces when it was time for his children to see their orthodontist, and so can you! Not only can dental midline problems lead to self-confidence issues, but also they can lead to systemic orthodontic malocclusion if left untreated.
Now that you’ve read up on all the different sorts of bite problems, their causes, and all the ways Dr. Wilson can revolutionize your smile, it’s time to make your first appointment today! Remember, all initial consultations are 100% free of charge!
We at Wilson Orthodontics know you have a range of options when it comes to your orthodontic care, and that’s why we’re happy to report that our reputation for excellence is built on honesty – you’ll never be recommended any treatment simply because it’s the hot new thing or it costs a little more. All of Dr. Wilson’s work comes from a dedication to orthodontic excellence and a desire to share his love of his craft with the people of Frisco.
So call us now, and let us show you why we say Wilson Orthodontics is where smiles live!