What Causes Crooked or Misaligned Teeth?

There are many factors that play a role in the position of your teeth. If you are dealing with overcrowded, crooked or misaligned teeth, the solution may be a visit to our office to discuss how orthodontics can work for you.

When born, genetics determine your jaw bone and the shape your pallet will take as you grow. In extreme cases these are internal factors that can be surgically altered, if needed. But the majority of patients will be able to resolve any problems resulting from lack of jaw space or small pallet through orthodontics.  

If permanent teeth grow that are too large for the jaw to accommodate, this creates overcrowding usually resulting in an over bite or cross bite. There isn’t anything to be done to control the size of permanent teeth, but if overcrowding is the problem, extracting one or a couple of teeth will allow the remaining teeth to shift back to a better position usually with the help of braces.

Many youngsters rely on sucking their thumb or fingers as a source of comfort. Unfortunately, this can develop into a habit that impacts how permanent teeth develop. The constant pressure placed on the upper pallet of teeth through thumb sucking can force the teeth to grow in at a crooked angle.

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching are usually the result of teeth that are not aligned correctly. Unfortunately the grinding just exacerbates the problem by adding the discomfort of ache in the jaw, neck, head, ear or teeth. Wear and tear from teeth grinding can compound misalignment resulting in broken teeth.

Since many of the traits that dictate how our teeth will develop are inherited, this is a watch and wait situation. However, as a child grows those biannual visits to the dentist become very important. You can visualize an aesthetic problem developing, but your dentist can detect any problems that can develop from improper alignment.

Teeth that overlap or come in crooked create an ideal location for plaque build-up. These areas become difficult to reach with a toothbrush trapping food, allowing plaque to form, which ultimately leads to tooth decay or gum disease.

Orthodontics can resolve many issues while offering the patient a beautiful smile that will boost self-confidence for a lifetime. To learn about your orthodontic options, contact the office of Dr. Seth Newman, serving Long Island and the surrounding areas, to schedule your professional consultation.

Orthodontic Treatment: Signs The Bite’s Not Right

Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that treats problems with your bite and jaw alignment. An orthodontist has a number of treatments at his or her disposal, including braces and retainers. The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that all children have an orthodontic examination by the time they are seven years old, even if there are no signs that the child has a problem with his or her bite.

There are signs that you can look out for that will alert you to a problem with your child’s bite (the signs also apply to adults who may have developed problems later in life). Children who have a history of thumb/ pacifier sucking or who have lost their baby teeth earlier than usual may have a bite problem. If you notice the child clenching his jaw or grinding his teeth, that is also a sign of a problem with the bite.

Pay attention to how the patient chews. If there is a problem chewing food, or if the child bites into his tongue or cheeks while chewing, that is a sign that the bite is wrong. Patients with improper bites may also breathe through their mouths.

Examine the patient’s face while he is not chewing. Do you notice a facial asymmetry? Does the jaw shift or make a popping noise when the patient moves his mouth? As the child learns to talk, are there developmental delays with speech? When the patient bites down, do the teeth not meet or meet in an odd way? Check for teeth that look overcrowded, blocked, or that are protruding. All of these are indicators that there is a need for orthodontic treatment due to an improper bite.

If you notice these signs of a bad bite, take the patient to the orthodontist as soon as possible. The younger the patient is, the subtler the signs may be. Most orthodontic treatments begin in patients from the age of 9 to 14, when these signs become more obvious.

Contact the office of Dr. Seth Newman, serving the Long Island area, at 516-626-2060 to schedule an orthodontic evaluation.

Braces: Why You Should Choose An Orthodontic Specialist

Braces are devices that are used in orthodontic therapy to move and correct the bite of a patient. This treatment makes use of titanium or porcelain brackets which are attached to the tooth surface using adhesive material. Orthodontic wires are threaded through the brackets and kept in place with the use of rubber elastics and thinner wires. Molar bands anchor the appliance to the arch.

This fixed appliance is used to correct a wide range of malocclusions. Deep bites, under bites, crossbites, open bites and crooked or torsiverted teeth can be straightened with orthodontics. This type of treatment should be performed by a licensed orthodontist to ensure that your teeth are moved properly and safely. The span of treatment for orthodontic braces varies depending on the severity of the case. On average, this appliance should be retained for 6 months to 2 years.

The proper movement of the patient’s dentition rests heavily on the capability of the orthodontist. By making slight adjustments, the roots of the teeth are pushed or pulled to achieve the right amount of spacing. Doing so, the periodontal ligaments are stretched in some areas while compressed in the area where the root is being lead to. The tooth sockets are also affected. In an effort to accommodate the movement, they undergo resorption in the area where the root is being pushed toward and begin to rebuild in the space vacated.

This orthodontic treatment alters the muscular, skeletal and facial structure of a person. If done correctly, the patient will have a straighter smile and added self-confidence.

By seeking out a licensed orthodontist who is familiar with the latest techniques in orthodontics, the patient will be reassured that he or she is in the capable hands of an expert. A smile is your best investment. It can improve your social life and boost your self-confidence.

Contact our experienced and dedicated team at Newman Orthodontics in Long Island and learn what braces can do for your smile.