Wellington Orthodontic Associates are highly experienced in solving a range of common orthodontic problems. If you suffer from one of the below conditions, please request an appointment with us to discuss your treatment options.
Crossbite
Posterior crossbites usually result from a constricted upper jaw or an unusually wide lower jaw. A narrow upper jaw will force a patient to move their lower jaw forward or to the side when closing into a stable bite. When closed into this altered position, the lower teeth are located outside the upper teeth. This may result in an incorrect functional position of the lower jaw with accompanying facial asymmetry.
Crowding
Crowding of the teeth is the most common problem associated with the need for orthodontic care. Although many factors contribute to dental crowding, this problem usually comes from a discrepancy between the space available in each jaw and the size of the teeth.
Aside from aesthetic considerations, poor alignment of teeth may be associated with periodontal problems and an increased risk of dental decay due to difficulty in maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Overbite
- excessive display of gum tissue
- lip protrusion
- biting the roof of the mouth
- incisor wear
Prominent Teeth
Prominent teeth problems represent abnormal bites in which the upper jaw and teeth project ahead of the lower jaw. Patients with prominent teeth usually have a convex facial profile with a deficient chin prominence. Usually, a problem with prominent teeth is inherited and results in a shorter than normal lower jaw.
Other factors, such as persistent thumb-sucking can aggravate these problems. Correction of this disorder generally requires influencing facial growth to bring the upper and lower jaws into their proper position.
Spacing Problems
Spaces between teeth are another common problem associated with the need for orthodontic care. Like crowding, spacing may be related to a tooth-to-jaw size conflict. Gum tissue attachment is also a common cause of spacing between the front teeth. Excessive vertical overlap of the front teeth, as well as incisor protrusion, may lead to spacing. Other contributing factors include atypical or unusually narrow teeth, and missing or impacted teeth.
Underbite
Underbite problems (also known as anterior crossbite) are also primarily genetic. In this instance, the lower jaw and teeth displace to the front of the upper jaw. Facially, the appearance may give the impression that the lower jaw is excessively large, but in many cases, the lack of upper jaw development is at fault.
Openbite
Perfect Bite
Perfect bite means no treatment is required! Teeth are straight and jaw alignment is correct.
Common Procedures
We're here to help make your orthodontic treatment as straightforward as possible. Explore some of our common procedures to help get you prepared for what you can expect at your appointments with us.
An evaluation of your progress where your wires may be changed to keep your treatment on track and moving forward.
The process of cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using a special safe adhesive that is set by using a safe blue light.
The removal of cemented orthodontic brackets.
The first step in making a model of your teeth. You bite into a container filled with a rubber type material, and that material hardens to produce a mold of your teeth.
Interceptive treatment is orthodontic treatment that is usually done between the ages of 6 and 10. The objective of treatment is to provide orthopedic intervention, so later orthodontic treatment is quicker and less painful.
An x-ray taken by a machine that rotates around your head to give your orthodontist a picture of your teeth, jaws and other important information.
An x-ray of your head that shows if your teeth are aligned and growing properly.
These records, which include cephalometric and panoramic x-rays, digital photos and study models, determine what treatment needs to be done.