“Bad bites” are considered to originate with crooked teeth. The overlapping, twisting, or misalignment of teeth lead to either an underbite or an overbite. Some people have teeth that grow in this manner, and while it might seem okay to allow crooked teeth to remain as they are, there can be consequences to your oral hygiene if a straightening procedure is never explored or adhered to with treatment.
REASONS FOR CROOKED TEETH
-Growing up with an abnormally small mouth, which crowds the teeth and causes them to shift.
-Upper or lower jaws that are malformed, resulting in either an underbite or an overbite.
-Loss of baby teeth, and even adult teeth.
-Improperly fitting dental restorations, such as crowns or fillings.
-Gum disease (gingivitis), which can surround the teeth with inflammatory responses and cause them to move in different positions to compensate.
-An injury to the jaw.
-Tumors of the mouth or jaw.
-Common problems in children’s oral health, such as thumb sucking, using a pacifier beyond age three, prolonged usage of a bottle, and tongue thrusting.
While our smiles can be affected by crooked teeth, as well as our self-confidence, there are other problems that arise if bites are misaligned, such as:
1. An interference of proper chewing.
2. Keeping teeth clean due to hard-to-reach places between the teeth, which increases the risk of decay and cavities.
3. The unnecessary strain on the jawbone, teeth, and surrounding muscles.
4. A compromised smile and outward appearance.
HOW AN ORTHODONTIST CAN HELP
Once you’ve determined the need to seek treatment, a complete evaluation and exam are taken by Dr. Grussmark. He will take X-rays of your teeth, take photographs of your face and teeth impressions, and determine from that point what type of treatment is needed.
X-rays provide information on the position of your teeth, the roots, and whether any teeth have yet to come through your gums. The facial photographs are snapped to determine the relationship between the jaws, teeth, and your head. Lastly, the impressions are made of your teeth, whereby you bite down on a soft material that is used to make an exact replica of your teeth.
Once all of the preliminary steps have been taken, Dr. Grussmark can decide the best course of action for your crooked teeth and misaligned bite. Invisalign, a removable retainer, might be all that’s needed to correct the problem. Or removal of one or more teeth that’s causing the overcrowding might be sufficient. However, if the overbite or underbite is extreme, wire braces are necessary to realign the teeth and solve the problem.
At Invisalign Centre in Miami, both Dr. Grussmark and his skilled staff will have you walking out of their offices with a spring in your step and the confidence to match. His methods for crooked teeth are all the rage in South Florida. Give his office a call today!