Ever struggled to bite into your favorite foods or felt like your teeth just don’t fit together quite right? It could be a serious orthodontic issue. At Dougherty Orthodontics in St. Louis, we’re here to diagnose and treat orthodontic misalignments, helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
Understanding Orthodontic Misalignment
Orthodontic misalignment means your teeth or jaws aren’t in the right position. Common issues include overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and crowding. These problems can affect how you chew, speak, and clean your teeth.
Misalignment can also cause wear and tear on your teeth and jaw pain. It’s crucial to understand that these misalignments can impact your overall oral health, leading to problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and even difficulty in maintaining proper dental hygiene.
Signs Your Bite Might Be Off
Having trouble biting could be a sign of misalignment. Other signs to watch out for include crooked teeth, difficulty chewing, speech issues, and jaw pain. You might also notice that your teeth don’t come together properly when you close your mouth or that you have to shift your jaw to bite down.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s time to get professional advice from Dougherty Orthodontics.
Types of Orthodontic Misalignments
Overbite
If your upper teeth stick out too far over your lower teeth, you might have an overbite. This can make biting into food tricky and wear down your lower teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Overbites can also cause jaw pain and affect the appearance of your smile.
Underbite
If your lower teeth extend past your upper teeth, you might have an underbite. This can cause difficulty chewing, give your face an imbalanced look, and even lead to jaw pain. Underbites can also cause problems with speaking clearly and may lead to excessive wear on your lower teeth.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when one or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This can cause uneven wear on your teeth and may lead to jaw pain and gum recession over time. Crossbites can affect both the front and the back teeth and can sometimes lead to jaw growth issues in children if not corrected early.
Open Bite
If your upper and lower teeth don’t meet when your mouth is closed, you might have an open bite. This can make it hard to bite into food and might cause speech issues like lisping. Open bites can also lead to problems with chewing and may cause excessive wear on the back teeth.
Crowding
If your teeth are too close together, you might have crowding. This can make flossing tough, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Crowded teeth can also overlap, twist, or get pushed to the front or back of your mouth.
Spacing Issues
If there are gaps between your teeth, you might have spacing issues. This can lead to food getting stuck between your teeth and gums, which can cause gum disease. Spacing problems can also affect the appearance of your smile and may lead to uneven wear on the teeth.
How We Fix Misaligned Bites
At Dougherty Orthodontics, we offer a range of treatments to correct misaligned bites and improve your dental health:
LightForce Braces
LightForce Braces use 3D-printed brackets that fit your teeth perfectly. These braces apply gentle pressure to shift teeth into proper alignment over time.
They’re particularly effective for complex adjustments, ensuring each tooth moves to its correct position with precision and comfort.
Metal Braces
Traditional Metal Braces consist of high-grade stainless steel brackets and archwires. They apply continuous pressure on your teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position.
These braces are highly durable and can be customized with colored bands, making them a fun choice for younger patients. They effectively treat a wide range of alignment issues, including severe crowding and bite problems.
Clear Braces
Clear Braces function similarly to metal braces but are made of a clear material, making them less noticeable. They’re ideal if you want a more discreet treatment option while still benefiting from the effectiveness of traditional braces.
These braces gently move teeth into alignment, addressing issues like overbites, underbites, and crowding.
Clear Aligners
Clear Aligners, such as Invisalign, are a series of custom-made, removable trays that fit over your teeth. Each set of aligners is slightly adjusted to apply pressure, moving your teeth gradually.
They’re nearly invisible and can be taken out for eating and cleaning, offering a convenient and aesthetic solution for mild to moderate misalignments.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Catching and treating orthodontic issues early can prevent more serious problems later. Early treatment can guide jaw and teeth growth into better alignment, reducing the need for more invasive procedures in the future.
Early intervention can also help improve the overall appearance of your smile and boost your confidence.
Take the First Step Towards a Healthier Smile
If you or your child are having trouble biting, it’s time to get professional advice. Orthodontic misalignment can have serious consequences if left untreated. At Dougherty Orthodontics, we’re here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule a consultation with us in St. Louis today to start your journey to better oral health.