A beautiful smile is more than just a confidence booster; it’s a crucial aspect of your overall oral health. At Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics, we understand that each patient has unique needs and challenges. Our experienced team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide range of orthodontic issues to help you achieve the best possible results. In this blog, we’ll discuss some common orthodontic problems and how we address them with our comprehensive treatment options.
Overbites
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth. While some overlap is normal, a significant overbite can lead to issues such as jaw pain, tooth wear, and even speech difficulties.
At Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics, we offer several treatment options for correcting overbites:
- Braces: Traditional metal or clear braces can effectively align your teeth and correct the bite. By using brackets and wires, we gradually move the teeth into their proper positions.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners: For those seeking a more discreet option, Invisalign clear aligners can correct overbites without the need for metal brackets. These custom-made aligners are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating and cleaning.
- Elastics: Often used in conjunction with braces or aligners, elastics (rubber bands) apply additional pressure to help shift the jaw and teeth into proper alignment.
Underbites
An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth protrude further than the upper front teeth. This misalignment can cause difficulty in chewing, speaking, and can lead to jaw pain and uneven tooth wear.
We offer a variety of treatments to correct underbites:
Braces: Traditional braces can realign the teeth and jaw. For severe cases, additional appliances like expanders might be used to widen the upper jaw.
Invisalign Clear Aligners: Invisalign aligners can also treat mild to moderate underbites by gradually moving the teeth into their correct positions.
Surgical Options: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the jaw alignment. We work closely with oral surgeons to provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly. This can result in overlapping, twisting, or displacement of teeth, making it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene and increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
We provide several solutions for crowded teeth:
- Braces: Traditional and self-ligating braces can effectively create space and align crowded teeth. The brackets and wires apply gentle pressure to move the teeth into proper alignment.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners: Invisalign can effectively treat crowding by using a series of custom-made aligners to gradually move the teeth into the desired positions.
- Palatal Expanders: For younger patients, palatal expanders can be used to widen the upper jaw, creating more space for the teeth to align correctly.
Spacing Issues
Spacing issues refer to gaps between teeth that can occur due to missing teeth, excessive jaw space, or small-sized teeth. These gaps can affect the appearance of your smile and may lead to other dental problems.
Treatment options for spacing issues include:
- Braces: Both traditional and clear braces can close gaps by moving the teeth closer together.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners: Invisalign aligners are designed to close gaps between teeth by gradually shifting them into place.
Crossbites
A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. This misalignment can cause issues such as uneven wear on the teeth, gum disease, and jaw pain.
Effective treatments for crossbites include:
- Braces: Traditional braces can correct crossbites by aligning the teeth and jaws. Additional appliances like expanders may be used to widen the upper jaw.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners: Invisalign can also treat crossbites by gradually moving the teeth into their correct positions.
- Expanders: Palatal expanders can be used to widen the upper jaw, correcting the crossbite and creating a better bite alignment.
Open Bites
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed, creating a gap. This can make biting and chewing difficult and can impact speech.
Treatment options for open bites include:
- Braces: Traditional braces can effectively close the gap by moving the teeth into proper alignment.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners: Invisalign aligners can also treat open bites by gradually adjusting the position of the teeth.
- Elastics: Rubber bands may be used in conjunction with braces or aligners to help close the bite.
At Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to address various orthodontic issues. Our goal is to provide personalized care that meets your unique needs and helps you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Whether you’re dealing with overbites, underbites, crowding, or other orthodontic problems, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of your treatment journey.