In orthodontics, your bite is defined as how your upper and lower teeth and jaw align when you close your mouth. Your bite is also known as your ability to tear into something using your teeth. All are important to think about when you are considering orthodontic treatment.
At Elm Tree Orthodontics, we specialize in correcting bad bites and improving quality of life through smiles!
Examples Of A Bad Bite
Bad bites are known by a few different names, depending on what makes the bite undesirable. Let’s look at some examples that might help you determine if your alignment needs correcting.
- Overbite – when the upper teeth stick out farther than your lower teeth
- Open Bite – when the top and bottom teeth do not connect when you bite down
- Under Bite – when the lower front teeth stick out past the upper teeth in your jaw
- Crossbite – when your lower jaw is longer than the size and length of your upper jaw
- Overcrowded – when there is not enough space for your teeth, which can cause them to crowd together
- Misplaced Midline Bite – when the center of your upper front teeth doesn’t match with the center of your lower teeth.
Problems Of A Bad Bite
Though bad bites can cause aesthetic concerns, treating them goes beyond addressing cosmetics. A lack of correct jaw and teeth function can drastically negatively impact your quality of life. If you have a poor bite, you are likely to suffer from the following:
- Difficulty chewing
- Narrow air passageways
- Dry mouth
- Temporary or permanent TMJ (jaw joint) disorder from uneven or unusually high pressure
- Trouble communicating due to pain or speech impediments
- Abnormal wear and tear on the teeth can weaken the enamel and even lead to tooth chipping
- Challenges in performing oral hygiene
Common side effects of the previously mentioned issues include:
- Mental health problems (low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety).
- Physical health problems (vitamin deficiency, choking, digestive issues, and sleep problems like sleep apnea).
- Oral health problems (tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease, infections, and sensitivity).
Treatments For A Bad Bite
Luckily, bad bites are treatable, and you don’t need painful, invasive surgery! Elm Tree Orthodontics has a few treatment options that can improve your bite with minimal disruption to your lifestyle.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are a superstar in the orthodontic community due to their strength and ability to treat even the most complex orthodontic issues. However, our self-ligating braces might look slightly different than the braces you usually see because they do not require ligatures (the colorful elastics that hold the wire to the bracket), so you have a more subtle look and quicker, more comfortable treatment.
Metal braces are excellent for patients with more complex needs because they handle and accommodate most orthodontic accessories without issue.
Because the orthodontic appliance is bonded (glued) to the teeth and can only be removed by Dr. Desai, patients with metal braces are required to adjust their diet and oral hygiene routine accordingly.
Clear Aligners
Similar to metal braces, clear aligners straighten the teeth by applying pressure, but that is where their similarities end. Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays that provide quick, comfortable treatment with discretion. The custom-made trays give you a fit so snug most people won’t know you are wearing them. The personalized treatment plans offered by the custom aligners and state-of-the-art technology allow some patients to complete orthodontic care in as little as six months!
The removability of the aligners allows you to stick to your regular diet and oral hygiene routine during orthodontic treatment. But you should know you will be responsible for keeping up with and cleaning your clear aligners.
InBrace Hidden Braces
If even Invisalign or Spark Clear Aligners are too noticeable for you, don’t fret. We also offer InBrace Hidden Braces. This treatment option is bonded to the back of your teeth, so no one will know you are in treatment unless you tell them!
InBrace uses a SmartWire that is preprogrammed in the beginning to adjust your teeth. Your SmartWire is custom-made for a comfortable fit and can target your specific needs. Because your wire knows what to do from start to finish, you will spend less time at Elm Tree Orthodontics for wire adjustments, giving you more free time! Treatment will be less uncomfortable compared to other treatment options and completed in less time!
The unique placement and s-shape wire means you can eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene like normal! Without wires in the way and with fewer orthodontic appointments, your lifestyle will remain almost exactly the same as it was!
Two-Phase Treatment
While orthodontic care is associated with people in their teens and older, we can also use it to help younger patients. Your child should see an orthodontist for the first time before age seven to catch potential problems early!
Dr. Desai will inspect your child for bite and facial structure concerns at this initial appointment. If he finds anything, he will likely suggest Two-Phase Treatment. As the name suggests, this route provides care for your child in two phases. The first stage occurs when they still have some baby teeth, and the second stage occurs years later when they have grown in most or all of their adult teeth. The orthodontic appliance your child uses depends on the severity of their needs, but the choices will likely be between metal braces and clear aligners.
Two-Phase Treatment is used preventatively (to stop a problem from developing), interceptive (to stop an already developing problem), and guidance (giving the jaw and teeth direction and assistance as your child grows), and never for cosmetic reasons!
Many orthodontic problems worsen as the child ages, making them more difficult, painful, and expensive to fix. If Two-Phase Treatment is recommended for your child, we strongly encourage you to begin when advised.
Visit Elm Tree Orthodontics To Learn Specifics Today!
Visit Elm Tree Orthodontics To Learn Specifics Today!Knowing which option is best for your bite can be confusing, and the choices can be overwhelming, but Elm Tree Orthodontics takes pride in making the orthodontic process as stress-free as possible for the entire family.
To begin your and your family’s orthodontic journey, contact one of our two conveniently located offices to schedule a zero-commitment free consultation. At your consultation, Dr. Desai and his team will thoroughly assess your teeth, jaw, and facial structure. Then, they will explain your treatment options and take the necessary time to answer your questions.
A beautiful and functional smile can be yours with the help of Elm Tree Orthodontics! Please don’t wait for your smile to be painful and your symptoms to be unmanageable; visit us soon! We can’t wait to improve your life through your smile!