Orthodontics

Traditional Braces

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Crooked teeth and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder and back pain. Teeth that are crooked or not in the right place can also detract from one’s appearance.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.

A specialist in this field is called an orthodontist. Orthodontists receive two or more years of education beyond their four years in dental school in an ADA-approved orthodontic training program.

How do I Know if I Need Orthodontics?

Only your dentist or orthodontist can determine whether you can benefit from orthodontics. Based on diagnostic tools that include a full medical and dental health history, a clinical exam, plaster models of your teeth, and special X-rays and photographs, an orthodontist or dentist can decide whether orthodontics are recommended, and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

If you have any of the following, you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment:

Overbite,  sometimes called “buck teeth” — where the upper front teeth lie too far forward (stick out) over the lower teeth

Underbite — a “bulldog” appearance where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back

Crossbite — when the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally

Open bite — space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together

Misplaced midline when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth

Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth

Crowding — when there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

Many different types of appliances, both fixed and removable, are used to help move teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws. These appliances work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. The severity of your problem will determine which orthodontic approach is likely to be the most effective.

Fixed appliances include:

Braces — the most common fixed appliances, braces consist of bands, wires and/or brackets. Bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, while brackets are most often bonded to the front of the tooth. Arch wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. Tightening the arch wire puts tension on the teeth, gradually moving them to their proper position. Braces are usually adjusted monthly to bring about the desired results, which may be achieved within a few months to a few years. Today’s braces are smaller, lighter and show far less metal than in the past. They come in bright colors for kids as well as clear styles preferred by many adults.

Special fixed appliances — used to control thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, these appliances are attached to the teeth by bands. Because they are very uncomfortable during meals, they should be used only as a last resort.

Fixed space maintainers — if a baby tooth is lost prematurely, a space maintainer is used to keep the space open until the permanent tooth erupts. A band is attached to the tooth next to the empty space, and a wire is extended to the tooth on the other side of the space.

Removable appliances include:

Aligners — an alternative to traditional braces for adults, serial aligners are being used by an increasing number of orthodontists to move teeth in the same way that fixed appliances work, only without metal wires and brackets. Aligners are virtually invisible and are removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Removable space maintainers — these devices serve the same function as fixed space maintainers. They’re made with an acrylic base that fits over the jaw, and have plastic or wire branches between specific teeth to keep the space between them open.

Jaw repositioning appliances — also called splints, these devices are worn on either the top or lower jaw, and help train the jaw to close in a more favorable position. They may be used for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).

Lip and cheek bumpers — these are designed to keep the lips or cheeks away from the teeth. Lip and cheek muscles can exert pressure on the teeth, and these bumpers help relieve that pressure.

Palatal expander — a device used to widen the arch of the upper jaw. It is a plastic plate that fits over the roof of the mouth. Outward pressure applied to the plate by screws force the joints in the bones of the palate to open lengthwise, widening the palatal area.

Removable retainers — worn on the roof of the mouth, these devices prevent shifting of the teeth to their previous position. They can also be modified and used to prevent thumb sucking.

Headgear — with this device, a strap is placed around the back of the head and attached to a metal wire in front, or face bow. Headgear slows the growth of the upper jaw, and holds the back teeth where they are while the front teeth are pulled back.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a clear orthodontic appliance offered as an alternative to the metal and brackets of traditional braces. The plastic aligners that perform the treatment are intended for people who want to keep a mature appearance as they straighten their teeth. The product was first introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies of Santa Clara, California. Invisalign is perhaps the most popular traditional braces alternative due to the effectiveness of the product and its proven use in clinical studies and by dentists and orthodontists alike.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign uses a custom-made series of aligners that are made for the patient. The orthodontist first takes an impression and photographs of the teeth during the initial consultation. The results are sent to the Invisalign factory and used to create a three-dimensional computer projection of how the teeth could be moved incrementally, forming the basis for developing a series of custom-made aligners designed to accomplish this movement. Once the treatment plan provided by Invisalign is approved, a plastic resin aligner is manufactured for each stage of the computer simulation and shipped to the orthodontist.

After the aligners are sent back to the orthodontist, he/she will dispense them to the patient as each treatment phase is successfully completed and to monitor the progress. The aligners must be worn in specific order for about two weeks, during which time they move the teeth in small increments of about .25 millimeters to .33 millimeters. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift teeth into place, based on the exact movement the orthodontist has planned out.

The average treatment time for Invisalign is about one year, provided the patient wears the aligners the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day. Treatment times may be longer if a more complex treatment is necessary. Typically a patient will go through 20 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth before they get the results that both they and their orthodontist are happy with.


Treatable Cases

Invisalign was created for teenagers and adults with all their adult teeth who can faithfully follow a treatment plan provided by their orthodontist. Any variance on this prescribed plan may compromise treatment success. According to the Invisalign website, the aligners can be used to correct the following dental concerns:

Spaced Teeth Excess teeth spacing occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. Often times missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift due to extra space. Spaced teeth can lead to gum problems (due to lack of protection by the teeth), periodontal pockets and increased risk of periodontal disease.

Overly Crowded Teeth Crowded teeth occur when there is a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. If left untreated, overly crowded teeth can get worse over time. Crowded teeth can lead to plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased chance of gum disease.

Crossbite Crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and the sides of the mouth. This can potentially lead to abnormal tooth wear and chipping, and periodontal problems including gum disease and bone loss.

Underbite Underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It is often caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. Sometimes it can be caused by missing upper teeth which can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars, and can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Overbite Overbite occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It’s commonly caused by genetics, bad oral habits, or overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth. Overbite can lead to gum disease and chipped or fractured front teeth.