Treatment for Irregularities in the Teeth
Orthodontics is for adults and children who have misaligned teeth that may be crowded, crooked, widely spaced or rotated. Orthodontic therapy can help to improve facial aesthetics, dental function, reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and help teeth better survive trauma.
Gentle Family Dentist Avondale and Dental Implants is an advanced orthodontic service provider for the Avondale and Goodyear communities. We are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malocclusion (poor dental bite), and dental and facial irregularities. We provide orthodontic treatment for both children and adults with age appropriate services and options.
Orthodontic correction in the childhood years is important. Orthodontics, at any age, can help to create the ideal foundations upon which other aesthetic dental treatment is built.
Crowded and crooked teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Poor dental spacing contributes to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal tooth wear, poor chewing function, excessive stress on the gums and bone that support the teeth, even the misalignment of the jaws, which can result in chronic headaches and facial pain. Left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. An attractive smile and a pleasing appearance are vital assets for one's self-confidence and self-esteem. Orthodontic treatment will benefit your dental health as well as being a positive influence on your social and career success, and general attitude toward life.
Orthodontic Services
- Adult Orthodontics from ages eighteen to eighty, its never too late
- Orthodontic brace options pros and cons of orthodontic appliance choices
- Pediatric Orthodontics for children from three years old to seventeen
Correctable Orthodontic Problems
Crowding - Teeth may become poorly aligned when crowding occurs. As teeth become more crowded, the gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth become thin and recede. Impacted teeth (teeth that are blocked from coming in) contribute to crowding and may become abscessed requiring surgery. Other problems include a poor dental bite and an undesirable smile.
Overjet - protruding upper teeth that extend beyond the lower front teeth are prone to injury. Overjet is associated with a lower jaw that is too short, and the bite is not aligned with the upper jaw. Thumb and finger sucking can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisors. An overjet can lead to more complex issues such as Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Deep overbite - lower incisors (four front teeth) are too close to or bite into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. This can cause discomfort and significant bone damage. Deep overbite can also contribute to excessive wear of the lower incisor teeth. An overbite can also lead to greater issues such as Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Underbite - Underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. This can be caused by overgrowth of the lower jaw, Underbite of the upper jaw, or both, and/or missing upper teeth. Underbite can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars and leads to excessive tooth wear. An Underbite can cause painful jaw and joint problems and lead to greater issues such as Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Open-bite - The lower upper incisor teeth do not make contact with the lower incisors when biting. The open space between the lower and upper-front teeth causes chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. Excessive biting and chewing pressure on the back teeth makes chewing less efficient, may contribute to significant tooth wear and may cause a tooth to fracture. An open-bite can also lead to greater issues such as Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Crossbite - The upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward the tongue). Crossbite can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease and bone loss. Crossbite causes biting and chewing difficulties.
Spacing - Gaps between teeth occur when teeth are missing or too small, or the dental arch is very wide. Poor appearance is the most common complaint from those who suffer from excessive spacing.