Reasons to See an Orthodontist – Webster, MA
7 Signs It’s Time To Visit The Professionals
Are you wondering if your oral health could benefit from orthodontic treatment? It’s not always easy to tell! However, thanks to modern orthodontic techniques and technology, there are a variety of braces to choose from to address all manner of issues you may have with your smile! Here are seven signs it’s time to visit the professionals for an orthodontic treatment that could potentially change your life. Give us a call today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Overcrowding
If teeth are so close together that they begin to overlap, it’s called overcrowding. Not only can this make your smile look crooked, but overcrowding dramatically increases your risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease! We offer numerous treatments that can straighten your pearly whites out and give them the space that they need.
Gapped Teeth
The opposite problem of overcrowding is gapped teeth, where there are small but noticeable spaces between the teeth. Many people find these little gaps embarrassing, plus gapped teeth are at a higher risk of damage. Our orthodontic treatments can gently push these teeth closer together to eliminate these spaces and give you a uniformly beautiful smile.
Overbite
The top teeth are supposed to rest in front of the bottom teeth. However, if they sit too far forward, they are exposed to excess wear and tear, which could damage them over time. This common bite problem is called an overbite. Our talented team has helped countless patients realign their jaws to overcome overbite and prevent future problems that it can cause.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. This can distract from the appearance of your smile and your ability to chew comfortably. Additionally, the bottom teeth are at a higher risk of chipping and cracking! We can help bring your lower jaw into the proper position with one of our custom-made orthodontic treatments.
Crossbite
A mixture of overbite and underbite, a crossbite is when some of the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, and some sit behind. This uncommon bite problem puts extra stress on the jaw joints, which can lead to soreness, stiffness, and even issues like TMJ dysfunction. As if that weren’t enough, crossbite increases your risk of oral health problems and damage to the teeth. Our experienced orthodontists will carefully design a treatment plan that helps realign your smile into a straighter and healthier position.
Open Bite
Another less common bite problem is an open bite. This is when the top and bottom teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed. While this may not cause problems right away, an open bite will wear down your molars and premolars over time, leaving them vulnerable to fractures, discoloration, and cavities. Our orthodontic treatments can help bring your teeth closer together and even out your bite to prevent this.
Impacted Canines
A tooth is “impacted” when it becomes stuck before or during eruption. Sometimes, a child’s canine teeth may become impacted as they come in, getting stuck halfway through the gums. This could mean that there simply isn’t enough space to accommodate this new tooth. Thankfully, we have specialized orthodontics for children that can help bring impacted canines down and create space for the other incoming permanent teeth.