Derek M. Busciglio, D.M.D., runs Busciglio Orthodontics, bringing confident orthodontic care throughout the Brandon, Florida, and Plant City, Florida areas. Here he discusses the most common problems orthodontists face every day.
Orthodontics comes from the Greek words ortho, meaning straight, and odons, meaning tooth. It is a specialty that concentrates primarily on fixing malocculsions, or improper bites. These bites can come about for a variety of reasons, and they can be the result of tooth irregularity, jaw problems or both.
Orthodontists can fix a multitude of problems. In some cases, the problems are common, although patients may not be aware that there is a simple remedy. From using braces and aligners to correcting tooth spacing issues, orthodontists can usually solve almost anything that is in the way of a beautiful smile.
Here are some of the most common problems we as orthodontists face daily:
- Buck Teeth: The appearance and function of your teeth are impacted by this type of bite. It is characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward or the lower teeth not extending far enough forward.
- Overbite: The upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth, sometimes causing the lower front teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth.
- Crossbite: The upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, which may cause tooth stratification and misaligned jaw growth.
- Openbite: Proper chewing is impacted by this type of bite, in which the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. Openbite may cause a number of unwanted habits, such as tongue thrusting.
Here are some other problems we see on a regular basis:
- Crowding: Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gum. Crowding can often be corrected by expansion, and many times, tooth removal can be avoided.
- Spacing: Spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth, or it may only be a cosmetic or aesthetic issue.
- Dental Midlines Not Matched: This type of problem is caused when the back bite does not fit and match appropriately, which may negatively impact jaw and proper dental function.
If you or your child have a problem that should be looked at by an orthodontist, don’t hesitate to make an appointment today. It’s never too late to have braces, even for adults. And if children are looked at and orthodontic intervention is started early, a lot of problems can be avoided, or more easily corrected.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
