When is orthodontic treatment indicated?
There are a number of reasons someone might think about having orthodontic treatment. Most people have orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their teeth. Some of the other reasons for orthodontic treatment are:
Overcrowded teeth: This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, crowded teeth can increase the chance of gum disease and make it more difficult for you to keep your teeth clean. Crowding can also detract from the appearance of your smile.
Widely spaced teeth: Sometime patients may have extra space between your teeth. The common reasons for this are: small sized teeth, abnormal growth of the jaw bones, genetics, missing teeth and/or forces generated by the action of your tongue. When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth drift and shift into the available extra space. Orthodontic corrects this and allow for better looking teeth and while in cases of missing teeth, re-establishes the spaces so that ideal tooth replacements can be fabricated. Spacing issues can lead to periodontal/gum disease that, left untreated, can lead to further tooth loss.
Crossbites: When the relationship between the upper and lower teeth is reversed dentist refer to this as ‘cross bite’. This commonly occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned or underdeveloped. It usually causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause premature wear of the teeth, and in some case jaw joint problems.
Overbites: Overbites occur when the upper teeth overlap significantly with the lower teeth. Genetics is a significant factor producing inappropriate jaw relationships. Issue in jaw development may also influence the development of overbites. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Underbites occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth, usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It is often referred to as a ‘bulldog bite’. It can also be caused by the premature loss of upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.
