Orthodontics

Orthodontics

Orthodontics deals with the alignment of the teeth. Millions of people worldwide are suffering from malocclusion, or in simple terms, the imperfect positioning of the teeth. A beautiful smile is the best confidence booster, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Dr. Roland Elazegui has helped hundreds of patients with malocclusion over his long-spanning career, and is one of the best orthodontists in the Milpitas, CA region.

Common Malocclusion issues

• Spacing: Spacing is a condition where the teeth are separated by large gaps. The reason for it could be a missing tooth, which leads to the drifting of the remaining teeth, or a wide dental arch, making the teeth emerge apart naturally.
• Crowding: It is the contrary of spacing, i.e. the teeth are placed too close together. When a milk tooth fails to fall off at the right time, the permanent tooth could emerge out of place, leading to the crowding of teeth.
• Underbite: In this condition, the teeth of the lower jaw protrude over the teeth of the upper jaw. It is mostly caused when the growth of the lower jaw is more than that of the upper jaw.
• Overbite: When the teeth of the upper jaw protrude over the teeth of the lower jaw, the condition is called overbite. People suffering from this condition could suffer injuries to the palate, or the roof the mouth, as the lower jaw teeth could dig into it.
• Open bite: When the jaws are clenched, the molars from the upper and the lower jaw stay in contact with each other, but the frontal teeth don’t meet, the resultant condition is called open bite.
• Cross bite:In certain cases, one or more teeth of either jaw don’t align with the remaining teeth. This is called cross bite.

Why should you get malocclusion treated?

Teeth that are not properly aligned would be very difficult to clean. Food particles and debris tend to get stuck in between the teeth, which could lead to the formation of cavities.

Crooked teeth hinder a person’s confidence. People with malocclusion may sometimes refrain from even smiling as it could lead to embarrassment.

Misaligned teeth could, in a way, lead to TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). If the misalignment issues aren’t solved at an early age, they could lead to the change in the shape of the jaws and recurring pain around the mouth.

How can malocclusion be treated?

Braces: Braces are known to be the best solution to misaligned teeth and can solve some of the most complicated malocclusion issues. Braces are comprised of metal or ceramic brackets, that are glued to the teeth with the help of adhesives, and nylon or metallic wires that run through them. Depending on the type of malocclusion and its severity, the wires can be adjusted to apply pressure on the teeth. The treatment period with braces is usually 12 to 30 months and depends on how the teeth are adjusting to the treatment.

Invisalign: Invisalign is a clear aligner that is made from a transparent material. The best thing about Invisalign is that it is removable and is hardly noticeable. This way, patients can remove the aligner whenever they wish to eat or drink anything, and to brush and floss their teeth. Since it doesn’t have any sharp edges or metal components, and its edges are shaped perfectly, the chances of injury are next to none.

We have an excellent team of dentists at EDental who strive hard to provide the results that our patients anticipate. Schedule an online appointment or simply call us and get rid of all the oral problems that have been bothering you!