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Common Problems Philosophy Children Functional Appliances Adults |  |
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Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclussion", which means "bad bite". An Orthodontist is a doctor who specializes in orthodontic problems. Orthodontists help both children and adults who suffer from teeth and jaw joint problems.Protruding Teeth Are upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower front teeth. They are prone to injury and often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth, as well as unevenness in jaw growth. Thumb and finger sucking habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper front.  Excessive Spacing Spaces between the teeth can occur if teeth are missing or small, if the bite forces on the teeth is improperly distributed, or the dental arch is very wide. The most common complaint from those with excessive spacing is poor appearance. Bite Problems Include deep overbites, open bites, underbites, and crossbites. A deep overbite occurs when the lower front teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. An open bite results when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting down. About 3 to 5 percent of the population suffers from an underbite. A crossbite occurs because the lower jaw is, to some degree, longer than the upper jaw causing the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper front teeth. The most common type of crossbite is when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, towards the tongue.  Crowded Teeth A small arch or large teeth may cause a poor alignment of the teeth. Crowding can cause the bones and gums over the roots of teeth to become thin and the gums to recede.  Jaw Joint Problems Jaw problems can usually be managed well in a growing child with an orthopedic, growth modifying appliance. However, the same problem for an adult may require jaw surgery. Jaw muscle and jaw joint discomfort in adults is commonly associated with grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism). Bruxism can cause severe wearing of the teeth, and stress and trauma to the jaw joint structures. We can help you diagnose this problem. A bite splint or night guard appliance that can protect the teeth and help jaw muscles relax is initially recommended and is followed by orthodontic treatment to reconstruct the bite to a more stable harmonious bite. If left untreated, jaw problems may result in severe bite problems and head and neck muscle spasms.  |
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