Orthodontics Specialist

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the field of dentistry focused on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and correcting the misalignment of your teeth and jaws, also known as bad bites. The orthodontists at Gentle Touch PC treat misalignments such as:

Overbite

Overbites, also called buck teeth, occur when the upper front teeth stick out farther than the bottom teeth.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower teeth stick out too far, or the upper teeth sit too far back.

Crossbite

If you bite down and the two rows of your teeth don’t meet properly, you have a crossbite.

Open bite

An open bite occurs when there’s space between your two rows of teeth when you try to bite down.

Misplaced midline

A misplaced midline is a condition in which the center of your upper front teeth doesn’t line up correctly with the center of your lower front teeth.

Spacing

“Spacing” refers to any gaps between your teeth, caused by missing teeth or teeth that simply don’t fill the space.

Crowding 

Crowding occurs when you have more teeth than your dental ridge can accommodate without crowding the teeth together.

Properly aligned teeth and jaws help you eat, talk, and chew. They also help alleviate issues associated with bad bites, like jaw pain, jaw clenching, jaw popping, and teeth grinding.

Am I too old for orthodontics?

No! While the American Dental Association recommends you get your first orthodontic exam by the age of seven, it’s never too late for orthodontics.

In fact, there’s never been a better time to get orthodontics. Technology has improved massively over the years, and Gentle Touch PC offers a variety of subtle, dignified orthodontic solutions for patients of every age. 

Examples include:

• Invisalign® clear aligners
• Braces 
• Removable retainers

In the United States today, about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. 

How do orthodontists diagnose and correct misalignment?

Gentle Touch PC offers complimentary orthodontic consultations, during which the practice reviews your dental records, and takes facial photographs, intraoral photographs, panoramic X-rays, and impressions of your teeth and bite.

After the practice evaluates your results, they design a customized plan just for you. This plan includes:

• The treatment type
• The estimated length of the active treatment
• The treatment steps

The plan also includes details for aftercare, such as wearing a retainer for a prescribed length of time.

Whether you’re interested in adult orthodontics or would like to get your child in for their first orthodontic exam, Gentle Touch PC is ready to help. To find out more, call the office or book an appointment online.