Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment corrects teeth and jaw alignment problems and involves the design and use of appliances such as braces, retainers, aligners, rubber bands, and headgears. If you have crowded or overlapping teeth, it makes them harder to clean which increases your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. With orthodontic treatment, you can improve the health of your teeth and start to smile with confidence!
Early intervention and treatment is preferred, since the process is usually quicker and easier. Treatment can begin as early as six or seven, which is when some habits that are formed as a baby can begin to cause unwanted tooth movement. Orthodontic treatment is also available for adults, who can be treated with both fixed and removable appliances.
Teeth Problems That Can Be Caused By A Bad Bite

Crooked, crowded and overlapping teeth can cause a wide range of problems, including:
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Tooth decay and gum disease - teeth that are not in proper alignment are hard to clean, particularly if they overlap. A build-up of plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
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Wear and tear - the teeth of the upper and lower jaw are meant to come together in a specific way, with the upper teeth slightly protruding over the lower teeth. If they are misaligned, the action of chewing may grind the teeth unevenly.
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Jaw injury - the jaw joint is called the temporo-mandibular joint, which is also known as the TMJ. A bad bite may place stress and strain on this joint; this can cause localized problems such as pain, headaches as well as clicking or grinding noises when the jaw opens and closes.
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Speech impediments - many sounds are made with the tongue against or near the teeth. Misaligned teeth or jaws can interfere with speech.
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Self-confidence - a person may be reluctant to smile due to misaligned teeth.
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How We Diagnose Orthodontic Problems
Problems with teeth and jaw alignment are identified using a number of tests, including:
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Dental X-rays both inside and outside the mouth
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Photographs both inside and outside the mouth
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Duplicate your bite in stone casts using impression materials
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Initial Planning
Once the problems are diagnosed, we create a step-by-step corrective plan. Any existing dental findings will likely need to be addressed before orthodontic treatment can begin. For instance, any decay must be treated and a dental cleaning must be performed. Also, teeth that are causing crowding may need to be removed before orthodontic treatment can be started.
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Types of Treatment Options
The range of corrective orthodontic devices includes:
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Braces - Braces are the most efficient and accurate way of moving teeth. Brackets are cemented to each tooth that needs to be moved with special dental glue and are typically made of a clear ceramic material or stainless steel. These brackets act like a handle on the tooth so that it can be moved into its correct position when force is applied to the brackets. Visits to our office every few weeks are needed to adjust the forces on the teeth as the teeth are slowly moved into a desired position.
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Elastics or rubber bands are sometimes used in orthodontic treatment. Elastics are helpful in aligning the upper and lower jaws. When help is needed to move teeth, elastics may be stretched from these teeth and attached to a bracket on either the upper or lower teeth. It's important to wear the elastics as instructed or orthodontic treatment will take longer.
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Headgear - if the teeth need extra pressure, headgear and bands may be worn. Basically, tensioned rubber bands are hooked to the braces and connected to a strap worn around the head, usually at night.
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Risks of Orthodontic Treatment
Some of the risks of orthodontics include:
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Dental hygiene problems - braces and wires make cleaning the teeth more difficult. This can cause decay, discoloration and permanent marks.
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Mouthguards - It is strongly recommended that you obtain a special mouthguard if you play sports involving contact with another player.
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Relapse - teeth have fibers attached to the roots and those fibers have memory, which can caused properly aligned teeth to rotate out of alignment once the force on the teeth are removed. When wisdom teeth appear, also known as third molars, this can also caused properly aligned teeth to relapse. It is important that you wear your retainers for the prescribed time after fixed treatment has ended.
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Soft tissue injury - the braces may dig into the gums or cheeks.
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ClearCorrect
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
ClearCorrect Removable Orthodontics
Looking for an alternative to braces? ClearCorrect is the clear and simple choice. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort-every reason to smile.
With ClearCorrect, we can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners.
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Common Orthodontic Treatment
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Common Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics gives you a beautiful smile and a healthier mouth. It is an important branch of dentistry, which deals with correcting the positioning of the jaw and the alignment of the teeth. Remember, there is no age restriction for orthodontic treatment.
There are many
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Craniofacial Orthodontics
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Craniofacial Orthodontics
Cleft palate or cleft lip is a complex craniofacial disorder that occurs congenitally in some people. Craniofacial orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry. It deals with the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary treatment of people born with deformities such as
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Invisalign
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Invisalign®
Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible, custom-molded aligners.
Invisalign uses breakthrough technology that lets you have the smile you've always wanted without the hassle of braces.
The clear alternative to metal braces
By using a series
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Living with Braces
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Living with Braces
Braces need some “breaking in” before you feel comfortable with them. Your teeth will be tender up to a few days after an appointment. Avoid foods that are hard and/or sticky so we recommend you eat a soft diet. Don’t eat tough meat or raw vegetables as they may damage your
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Myths and Fact About Orthodontics
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Myths and Facts about Orthodontics
Many people have formed opinions about orthodontists based on myths. This page is designed to distinguish between the myths and the facts.
Myth: Orthodontists are only required for orthodontic cases of complex nature.
Fact: Orthodontists are appropriate doctors
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Orthodontic FAQ
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
FAQs
What is meant by orthodontics?
Orthodontics is an important branch of dentistry that deals with correcting the positioning of the jaws and the alignment of the teeth.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who receives two to three years of additional training and education
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Orthodontic Glossary
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Orthodontic Glossary
Our orthodontic glossary is a definition of terms used on our website and in dentistry and orthodontics. Please click on a link below to go directly to that section of the glossary.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Alveolar bone
The jaw bone that
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Orthodontic Treatment for Children
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Orthodontic Treatment for Children
Early correction and treatment of misaligned teeth ensure your child’s dental health will be addressed at an early age. According to the American Dental Association, a child should visit an orthodontist by the time he or she is seven years old. Our comprehensive
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Post Op Care of Extractions
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Post Op Care of Extractions
The treatment of extractions can be quite a painful experience for your child if not handled properly. The following information is to help you learn how to improve your child's recovery.
Bleeding
Once the extractions are done, the bleeding will gradually decrease. The
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Retainers
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Retainers
There are certain tips to follow for wearing, and properly taking care of, your retainers.
Your retainers should be in one of two places at all times; either in your mouth or in their case.
Take your retainers off while eating.
Maintain good oral hygiene with regular brushing
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Space Maintainers
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Space Maintainers
The loss of your child's baby tooth before the adult tooth has fully developed affects the teeth around it as well as the alignment of the adult tooth. Ensuring that the tooth grows in its proper position is important. The other teeth have to be held in place, which can be done effectively
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Surgical Orthodontics
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Surgical Orthodontics
What is surgical orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is more commonly known as orthognathic surgery. Surgical orthodontics is usually carried out to improve jaw alignment and bite disorders. This surgery requires the teamwork of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and an orthodontist.
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Treatment for Adults
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Treatment for Adults
Adult Services
A beautiful smile has the power to improve the appearance of everyone. Some people naturally have wonderful smiles while others don't. That doesn't mean that you can't smile beautifully just because you didn't have orthodontic treatment as a child. Orthodontic
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Treatment for Children
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
Treatment for Children
Orthodontic services for children:
Early correction and treatment of misaligned teeth ensure your child's dental health will be addressed at an early age. According to the American Dental Association, a child should visit an orthodontist by the time he or she is seven years
Read more
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Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
Category:
Dental Services, Orthodontics
What Is The Advantage Of Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?
Two-phase treatment in orthodontics involves early intervention to help reduce the total treatment time. Two-phase treatment provides maximum opportunities to achieve the ideal functional, health, and aesthetic results. These processes also
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