Common Orthodontic Issues and Treatments

CROWDING OF THE TEETH

This patient wore braces for 26 months, from age 11 to 13.

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OPEN BITE

This patient was a thumbsucker when she was young. An appliance called a tongue crib helped her to break the habit. After 28 months of wearing braces, she now has straight teeth.

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OVERBITE

This patient, 25 years old, needed braces and orthognathic (jaw) surgery to correct his severe overbite. Treatment took two years. Had he been treated as an adolescent, jaw surgery probably could have been avoided.

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MISSING SIDE TEETH (LATERAL INCISORS)

This patient was born missing the upper side teeth, the lateral incisors. She wore braces for twenty months and then had the missing teeth replaced by her general dentist with "Maryland bridges."

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UNDERBITE

This patient had an underbite - lower teeth bit ahead of upper teeth. Her teeth were wearing down excessively and her TMJ (jaw joints) hurt. She wore braces for approximately 30 months. Chewing is now more comfortable and her smile looks great.

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SPACES

This patient had a lot of spaces between the teeth. He wore braces for 24 months and had a major improvement to his smile.

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OVERJET

This patient presented at age ten with upper teeth sticking out. She had two phases of treatment; the first phase helped the jaw meet more evenly, and the second phase straighted the teeth and corrected the bite. She finished at age thirteen with a beautiful smile.

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PHASE-ONE TREATMENT

This boy's parents brought him in ate age eight, concerned about his appearance and the function of the teeth. He had a narrow jaw and crooked teeth. After twelve months of Phase One treatment consisting of a palatal expander and limited braces, his function and appearance improved significantly.