Fixing Orthodontic Problems
Your smile can be a significant part of a first impression, and if you're feeling self-conscious about the alignment of your teeth, you're certainly not alone.
Malocclusions, or orthodontic problems, are common and can affect people across all age groups.
In this section, we’ll examine some frequent orthodontic issues and their implications for your overall oral health.
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not come together when the mouth is closed, affecting either the front or back teeth.
- Causes:
- This condition can arise from childhood habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, improper use of mouthguards, or genetic factors.
- Impact:
- An open bite can hinder your ability to bite into certain foods and may also affect your speech.
- Treatment:
- A combination of metal braces and jaw growth appliances were used for this case. (20 Months)
A crossbite occurs when some of your upper teeth fit inside your lower teeth rather than resting outside them, affecting either the front teeth, back teeth, or both.
- Causes:
- This condition may stem from various factors, including genetics, missing teeth, thumb sucking, or early tooth loss.
- Impact:
- A crossbite can result in uneven wear on your teeth, potential jaw problems, and difficulties when chewing. It can also impact your facial symmetry.
- Treatment:
- This case utilised an expansion appliance and conventional metal braces. (28 Months)
A deep bite occurs when the upper teeth overlap and cover more than two-thirds of the lower teeth.
- Causes:
- Factors such as genetics or childhood habits can contribute to the development of a deep bite.
- Impact:
- This condition can lead to significant wear on the upper teeth, as well as severe gum trauma and recession.
- Treatment:
- A course of tooth coloured ceramic braces was utilised for this case. (27 Months)
Dental trauma can lead to the displacement or even loss of teeth. In this particular case, the middle left tooth (the higher one) was knocked and became fused to the bone.
Dental Trauma should always be managed quickly.
- Causes:
- Teeth can sustain trauma from various incidents such as falls, accidents, or sports injuries, resulting in loosened, chipped, fractured, or avulsed teeth.
- Impact:
- Trauma can significantly affect your bite, speech, and chewing abilities. Orthodontic treatment can address these issues, enhancing both the function and appearance of your smile.
- Treatment:
- Minor oral surgery and metal braces was employed successfuly in this case. (18 Months)
Crowded teeth arise when there isn't enough space in the jaw to accommodate all the teeth properly. This condition can result from a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jaw, leading to a heightened risk of decay and gum issues.
- Causes:
- Factors such as genetics, a smaller jaw size, or the presence of extra teeth can contribute to crowding in the dental arch.
- Impact:
- Teeth that are crowded can be challenging to clean effectively, increasing the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, crowding may impact your bite and speech.
- Treatment:
- Tooth coloured ceramic braces achieved a very positive outcome in this case. (24 Months)
An increased overjet occurs when the upper front teeth extend forward significantly beyond the lower teeth. While a slight overjet of up to 2mm is considered normal, excessive overjet can negatively affect both appearance and speech.
- Causes:
- Factors such as genetics and childhood habits like thumb sucking can lead to an increased overjet.
- Impact:
- A pronounced overjet can make the upper front teeth more vulnerable to injury and can also interfere with speech clarity and facial aesthetics.
- Treatment:
- A combination of a growth device followed by conventional braces was used in this scenario. (24 Months)
An increased overjet refers to the condition where the upper front teeth extend outward beyond the lower teeth. While a small overjet of up to 2mm is considered typical, an excessive overjet can have adverse effects on both appearance and speech.
- Causes:
- This condition can arise from various factors, including genetics and habits such as thumb sucking during childhood.
- Impact:
- A pronounced overjet can increase the risk of injury to the upper front teeth and may also interfere with speech clarity and overall facial aesthetics.
- Treatment:
- This case was managed with a combination of minor oral surgery and conventional braces. (24 Months)
Spacing refers to the condition where there is excessive space in the jaw relative to the number of teeth present. This discrepancy often arises from an imbalance between the size or number of teeth and the jawbone's dimensions.
- Causes:
- Factors contributing to spacing may include missing teeth, a larger jawbone, or oral habits such as tongue thrusting.
- Impact:
- Spacing can complicate oral hygiene practices and may influence speech. Additionally, it can present cosmetic challenges, affecting the overall appearance of the smile.
- Treatment:
- This missing teeth case was efectively managed with Lingual Hidden Braces. (25 Months)
Teeth continue to shift throughout life, regardless of prior orthodontic treatment. This movement may occur due to imbalances between the size or number of teeth and the jawbone's proportions.
- Causes:
- Factors such as aging, changes in bone density, and failure to wear retainers as directed can lead to shifts in teeth alignment.
- Impact:
- Shifting teeth can influence both your bite and overall appearance. Wearing retainers is crucial in preventing these changes and preserving your smile.
- Treatment:
- This case was managed with aligners followed by diligent retainer use. (6 Months)
The information contained on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek advice from an orthodontist.