Getting It Straight – A Brief Guide to Orthodontics

17/03/2022

Getting It Straight – A Brief Guide to Orthodontics

Crooked, crowded, and even gappy teeth can all cause problems. Not only are these issues self-esteem damaging confidence killers, but they’ll also probably cause later dental concerns such as tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain.

Regardless of your age, orthodontic treatments can help. But say the word “orthodontics” and many people’s thoughts will often jump straight to images of teenagagers wearing metal ‘train track’ braces. Fortunately, there are more subtle options that are equally as effective.

But when we talk about orthodontic problems, what exactly are we referring to?

Let’s take a look at some of the phrases associated with orthodontics and how we treat them here at Harley Private Dental.

What Type of Issues Does Orthodontic Treatment Address?

While you may think that orthodontics is purely focused on straightening wonky teeth, there’s a bit more to it than that. 

The clinical term for a misaligned tooth is a malocclusion. These are the various types:

• Overcrowded teeth – This common problem is often caused by the jaw being too small or the teeth being too large.
• Gaps (diastema) – Again, another common issue that relates to the ratio of jaw size in comparison to the teeth is diastema.
• Overjet – If your top front teeth protrude over the lower set horizontally, it can have a negative impact on your ability to chew or speak.
• Open bite –  If you have an anterior open bite, both your upper and lower teeth at the front will slant out and won’t touch when your mouth is closed.
• Crossbite – The natural position of your teeth spreads the pressure while chewing across the entire mouth. If you’ve got a crossbite, your teeth won’t meet as they should when closed resulting in excessive wear and tear on some teeth.
• Overbite – Here the upper front teeth protrude over the lower set. This can be caused by thumbsucking, nail biting, using a dummy after the age of three, or genetic factors.
• Underbite – When the lower teeth sit further forward than the upper set, it can lead to a chronic jaw issue called TMJ disorder, as well speech issues and headaches.

How Do We Treat Orthodontic Issues?

To address many malocclusions, we’ll use a popular aligner system called Invisalign. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is removable. This means you can enjoy your favourite meals and brush your teeth effortlessly.  As long as you wear the almost-invisible aligners for at least 22 hours each day, you could dramatically improve your misalignment issues from as little as six months.

We’ll start the process by taking some digital impressions of your teeth. This information will be used to plan your exact course of treatment and to create the custom-made aligner trays that will guide your teeth into their new position.

Over the course of your treatment, we’ll provide you with several sets of aligners. Each one slightly different to the last. Every new set will exert small amounts of pressure onto your teeth, coaxing them and correcting your malocclusions toward perfection.

You’ll Find it Hard to Keep a Straight Face

We want to help you smile like never before! If you’ve got misaligned teeth, arrange for a consultation today and we’ll let you know if you’re a suitable candidate for orthodontic treatment. 

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