Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Mal-alignment of teeth may cause both aesthetic and functional issues.
Crooked teeth and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder and back pain.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
You may require an orthodontic treatment, if you have any of the following:
- Protruded teeth –when the upper jaw sits further forward than the lower jaw. With the teeth together, you would expect the upper teeth to sit on the inside of the lower lip. If they sit over the lower lip, this might be a sign of protruded teeth. A person with protruded teeth is more at risk of tooth damage or loss from accidents and may have speech or eating problems. Many people also choose to correct protruded teeth for cosmetic reasons.
- Deep-bite: The upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth so that the lower teeth are not visible while smiling. Lower teeth may hit on the gums behind the upper teeth causing pain on gums.
- Prognathism: The lower jaw and teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back causing a prominent lower jaw and chin
- Cross-bite — One or more or full teeth of upper jaw may bite inside the lower corresponding teeth.
- Open bite — space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together
- Misplaced midline— when the centre of your upper front teeth does not line up with the centre of your lower front teeth
- Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth
- Crowding: The teeth are seen overlapping the adjacent teeth with apparent lack of space on bone to accommodate all the teeth.
- Lips incompetency: Difficulty to close the lips easily in relaxed position causing open mouth and mouth breathing.
Dr. Noufal, MDS is our orthodontist who is specially trained in
- Dentofacial orthopedics and Growth Modulation
- Invisalign technology
- Lingual Orthodontics
- Temporary anchorage devices
- Cleft lip and palate