In orthodontics, your bite is defined as how your top and bottom rows of teeth align or come together when you close your mouth. Bad bites are known by a few names, depending on what is wrong.
An overbite is when your upper teeth protrude farther than your lower teeth. In contrast, an underbite is when your lower front teeth stick past your upper front teeth.
An open bite is when your two rows of teeth have a large gap when you close your mouth, typically caused by teeth that angle outward.
A crossbite is when some of your upper teeth fit inside your teeth.
And lastly, a misplaced midline bite is when the center of your upper front teeth does not align with the center of your lower front teeth.
Fortunately, Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics has comfortable, pleasant treatment options to get your bite where it needs to be.
How can Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics help?
Though facial surgery can and sometimes should treat a bad bite, that’s not the only way. We offer a few non-invasive treatment options to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
Metal Braces
This treatment option has transformed smiles for years, but don’t let its age fool you! Metal braces are continuously updated as new technology is released. They are known for fixing even the most complex orthodontic issues thanks to their ability to handle extreme pressure compared to other treatment options.
If you require additional tools, such as a Herbst appliance or orthodontic bands, to improve your bite, metal braces are likely the best option. Metal braces are great for patients of all ages with all kinds of orthodontic needs.
Invisalign
Consider removable clear aligners if you prefer an option not bonded to your teeth. Clear aligners are custom-made transparent trays that straighten the teeth over time by applying pressure. Their snug fit and clear design make them practically invisible to onlookers, so you can improve your bite with hardly anyone knowing.
At Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics, we proudly offer the leading in-office brand of clear aligners, Invisalign! With their exclusive technology, treatment can conclude in as little as six months! Invisalign also offers accessories to help with jaw alignment, though not as many choices as braces, so we suggest this treatment option for those with mild to medium bite needs.
The company makes aligners for children, teens, and adults.
Clear Braces
Some patients might not qualify for Invisalign due to the severity of their bite needs, or they might want to avoid playing such an active role in their care (remembering to wear their trays or keeping up with them). If that sounds like you, but you are deterred from starting treatment because you don’t like the aesthetic of metal braces, consider clear braces.
With brackets, wires, and ligatures, clear braces have all the advantages of metal braces, except one — clear braces do not use metal brackets! They use tooth-colored ceramic brackets that create the illusion of clear braces when paired with matching ligatures. Clear braces can use the same orthodontic accessories as metal braces, but the ceramic brackets are not as strong, so you should expect to spend a little more time in them than their predecessor.
Due to the extra care that clear braces require, we suggest this treatment option for adults and older teenagers.
Two-Phase Treatment
This treatment choice is exclusively for our youngest patients! True to its name, Two-Phase Treatment happens in two phases. The first phase occurs when the patient is younger and still has some baby teeth. The second phase occurs years later when they have grown in most or all of their adult teeth. Two-Phase Treatment is used to prevent a problem from developing (preventative care), interrupt the advancement of an already developing problem (interceptive care), and encourage proper growth as the child grows (developmental guidance).
What’s so bad about a bad bite?
Because your teeth and jaw alignment define your bite, a poor bite can negatively impact your quality of life. We strongly recommend that you get your improper bite examined and treated as soon as possible because most issues caused by a poor alignment will worsen over time.
Some side effects include:
- Difficulty chewing, which increases the risk of choking, vitamin deficiency, and digestive issues like heartburn.
- Suffering from migraines and neck pain
- Having trouble breathing caused by narrow air passageways
- Being forced to breathe through the mouth
- Developing temporary or permanent dry mouth
- Suffering from sleep apnea or snoring, which can leave you feeling exhausted during the day
- Developing temporary or permanent TMJ issues
- Having bad breath
- Having difficulty performing oral hygiene
- Unwanted influence on a child’s facial structure as they get older
- Having abnormal wear and tear on the teeth that strip the enamel and cause tooth chipping
- Having an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and mouth sores
- Developing a speech impediment
- Suffering from pain when speaking
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Cosmetic Insecurities
These are just some examples of how orthodontic care can drastically improve your life, lifestyle, and overall health. If you have symptoms not listed here, please bring them up to Dr. Hamer or Dr. Glassick so they can be sure your treatment will address all your concerns.
For the best results, visit Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics!
The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you can have the beautiful, functional, pain-free smile you deserve!
To begin your or your family’s orthodontic journey, contact one of our two conveniently located offices and schedule a free consultation!
We look forward to meeting you and your family and providing all of you with the top-notch we are known for!