Orthodontic care is typically associated with helping young adults make cosmetic corrections to the alignment of their teeth. Still, it is not the only reason to seek out an orthodontic professional!
Another common reason for orthodontic work is to fix a person’s bite to prevent or correct any related oral health issues. At Luv Braces, we gladly provide cosmetic care, but today we want to focus on bad bites, their health side effects, and how to correct them!
What do we mean by a “bad bite”?
In orthodontics, we define your bite as how your upper and lower teeth and jaw come together when you close your mouth. How we define your bad bite depends on what is considered undesirable. Let’s take a look.
- An overbite is when the upper teeth stick out further than the lower teeth.
- An open bite is when the top and bottom front teeth do not connect when you bite down.
- An underbite is when the lower teeth stick out further than the upper teeth.
- A crossbite is when your upper and lower teeth overlap, or your upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth.
- Overcrowding occurs when the mouth has insufficient space for all your teeth, forcing them to crowd together.
- A misplaced midline bite is when the centers of your upper and lower teeth do not align.
Why is it so important to fix?
Unfortunately, a bad bite can drastically reduce your quality of life by causing the following:
- Increased risk of choking, vitamin deficiency, and digestive issues
- Breathing problems from narrow air passageways, sometimes forcing a person to breathe from the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Jaw pain in the form of temporary or permanent TMJ (jaw joint) disorders
- Migraines
- Neck pain
- Difficulty performing oral hygiene
- Issues communicating due to pain or a speech impediment
- Bad breath
- Abnormal wear and tear on the teeth that can weaken the enamel and even cause tooth chipping
- Increased risk of tooth decay, sensitivity, gum disease, and infections
- Increased risk of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
- And more!
Can Luv Braces fix your bite?
Fortunately, Luv Braces can help! We offer a few non-invasive treatments that can give you a smile you luv in no time!
Metal Braces
As the go-to in the orthodontic world, metal braces have earned a well-respected and well-liked reputation in the orthodontic community. This option uses wires, ligatures, and stainless steel brackets to align teeth. Their strength and durability also make them the perfect choice for orthodontic accessories like Herbst appliances or orthodontic bands!
Metal braces are an excellent option for patients of all ages with bite needs that range from mild to complex!
Invisalign
On the opposite end of the orthodontic treatment spectrum, we have clear aligners from Invisalign! These transparent, removable trays are ideal for patients with mild to medium bite concerns. The aligners are custom-made, providing a comfortable fit that is so snug that most people won’t even notice that you are wearing them! The customization also allows for personalized treatment plans so Invisalign can target your specific issues!
The removability of the trays is one of its most significant advantages! Because you need to remove them for eating, drinking, and performing oral hygiene, you can stick to your regular diet and oral hygiene routine.
Clear Braces
If you don’t qualify for clear aligners or don’t want to be required to remember to wear your orthodontic appliance every day, consider clear braces. This treatment option works like metal braces using brackets, wires, and ligatures to align the teeth and jaw. The difference is that clear braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets and ligatures to give the illusion of clear braces. They have almost all the benefits of metal braces but with a subtle appearance.
InBrace Hidden Braces
For patients who don’t want anyone to know they are in treatment but don’t want to remember to wear clear aligners, we suggest InBrace Hidden Braces. These braces are bonded behind the teeth for ultimate discretion.
InBrace uses a SmartWire that is preprogrammed to know the projected movement path of your teeth, which means you spend less time at Luv Braces for adjustments and more time out of the office doing what you want! The custom wire’s unique “S” shape and placement mean you are free to eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene as if you were not in treatment.
Two-Phase Treatment
Did you know that children should see an orthodontist before age seven? This allows you to know about and fix any potential problems early.
If Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour find any cause for concern, they will likely suggest Two-Phase Treatment. The first phase of treatment occurs when your child still has some baby teeth, and the second stage is when your child has grown in most or all of their adult teeth.
At Luv Braces, we use Two-Phase Treatment for preventative care (to stop a problem from developing), interceptive care (to stop an already developing problem), and developmental guidance (giving the jaw and teeth direction and assistance as your child grows).
Visit us at Luv Braces today to start your orthodontic journey!
Visit us at Luv Braces today to start your orthodontic journey!We proudly offer orthodontic care for the whole family at Luv Braces!
To learn more about your bite and our treatment options, schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation with us today! We’ll provide a thorough assessment and a complete explanation of our recommended course of action.
Don’t let your bite or symptoms worsen; contact us today to find out if you or your family qualify for life-changing orthodontic work!
We can’t wait to transform your smile, so we hope to see you soon!