So you’ve got questions about your orthodontic care. Fantastic!
There’s nothing we here at Orthodontics of South Miami like to see more than a patient who’s proactive about their care. It’s awesome to be informed!
And there are a bunch of different questions to ask! What does an orthodontist do, anyway? What’s the main difference between an orthodontist and a general practitioner? Do I REALLY need braces, or are there alternatives?
We asked Dr. Ross to sit down with us and go over some of the most frequently asked questions they get when it comes to orthodontics. Read on to learn more!
Can my dentist offer orthodontic care?
While a general dentist may technically be capable of providing treatment, it’s essential to understand that orthodontists like Dr. Ross have undergone years of specialized training on top of dental school. Orthodontic programs are highly competitive, and the American Association of Orthodontists reports that only 1 in every 15 applicants is accepted.
While your dentist has a good understanding of your general oral health, orthodontists like Dr. Ross have studied the growth and maturation of the teeth and jaw. They’ve developed refined diagnostic skills to predict issues associated with treatment and the most appropriate course of corrective care and have undergone extensive training in the development of facial features in childhood and adolescence.
Don’t you want to leave your specialized care needs to a specialist?
What’s an overbite? How is it treated?
In the case of an overbite, the upper front teeth overlap or cover part of the lower front teeth. This can lead to excessive wear and tear of the front teeth, especially the incisors (the two front teeth). Another concern with an overbite is the possibility of damage to the gum tissue leading to excessive gingival display or a gummy smile to the rest of us.
Most often, traditional or clear braces or even aligners such as Invisalign can correct the issues leading to an overbite.
How about an underbite?
Also known as an anterior crossbite, this is where the lower jaw sits out in front of the upper jaw. When uncorrected, underbites can lead to excessive stress and pressure on the joints of the maxillofacial region. That means tension headaches, tooth grinding, and temporomandibular disorders, or TMJ.
Underbites typically require more aggressive treatment than would be the case for the more common mild overbites. In more serious cases of underbite, Dr. Ross may refer you to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon with whom they’ll work closely to reshape the jaw to develop a proper bite.
What are a few other bite problems? How are they fixed?
Following is a list of other common bite issues:
- Crowding – One of the most common orthodontic issues, crowding can cause self-esteem issues due to a lack of confidence in your smile, but there are more functional concerns. Crowding can lead to difficulty maintaining proper dental hygiene. This can cause an increase in cavities and gum disease, such as gingivitis.
- Spacing – The opposite of crowding, in spacing, as the name suggests, there is just too much space between teeth. All that extra space is ideal for the formation of harmful plaque and bacteria, so just like crowding, this can lead to issues of gum disease and other oral hazards that go along with difficulties maintaining proper dental hygiene.
- Dental midline issues – Often due to early loss of baby teeth or missing permanents, dental midline issues result from your upper and lower incisors not aligning symmetrically. For a famous example of dental midline issues, check out early photos of the actor Tom Cruise. He had his dental midline issues addressed with braces when it was time for his children to see their orthodontist, and so can you! Not only can dental midline problems lead to self-confidence issues, but also they can lead to systemic orthodontic malocclusion if left untreated.
- crossbite – Refers to a misalignment of either the teeth, jaws or both, in which upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. This often becomes worse over time and can lead to issues with properly chewing food. The sooner this is detected, the better. That’s why it’s recommended that even in the case that you don’t notice any visible malocclusion in your child’s teeth, you take them in to see an orthodontic specialist like Dr. Ross by the time they’re seven years old, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.
All of the following bite issues and more can and are corrected on a daily basis by skilled orthodontic experts such as Dr. Ross.
Are there any alternatives to traditional metal braces?
There has never been a better time to receive orthodontic treatment. While traditional braces are today lighter, more effective, and less conspicuous than ever, there are an increasingly growing array of alternatives to traditional braces that are often just as or even more effective.
Ask Dr. Ross about Invisalign, ceramic (clear) braces, or lingual braces to learn more!
Is Invisalign just for mild cases?
While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces are more appropriate to unlock your best possible smile, Invisalign is much more flexible than many think when treating moderate to complex cases.
Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, surgery, corrections of bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign!
I’ve heard I have a gummy smile – What’s that?
A gummy smile is one of those dental issues that doesn’t have one specific definition. Since it is mostly based on perception, you’ll likely know a gummy smile when you see it. Studies have even been conducted to determine what people consider excessive gingival display. In most cases, subjects rated smiles as being more attractive when they showed two millimeters or less of gum tissue. Any more than that and a smile was labeled “too gummy.”
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
The fact is that dental malocclusion, overbites, jaw issues such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and other orthodontic issues have no expiration date.
While there may be a societal preconception of braces as being for kids, that idea is starting to change – more than 25% of all new braces patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.
More Questions? Give Us a Call!
Here at Orthodontics of South Miami, we take pride in the fact that when you come to see us, you aren’t just a patient; you’re a member of the family. And that’s why we make it a priority to ensure that you feel informed and in control of your treatment!
We’ve laid out a list of some of the most frequently asked questions we see, but we know we can’t anticipate every question or concern you have. If you’re in or around Miami and want the best and most considerate care available, give us a call at 305-834-7628, or fill out this form
to come in today for your free consultation!