Common Orthodontic Problems in Kids

 

Regular dental care is important for adults because it helps maintain a healthy, beautiful smile and prevents chronic dental conditions. However, it may be even more important for our pediatric patients. Young children need regular trips to the dentist for early detection of many common orthodontic issues. Your pediatric orthodontist in Solon, OH, can help with three orthodontic problems regularly seen in young patients.

Abnormal Tooth Eruption

Abnormal tooth eruptions occur when a permanent tooth grows through the gum in the wrong place. Often, this happens because a baby tooth was lost prematurely and did not hold the empty space for the permanent tooth to grow in. However, many factors may contribute to an abnormal tooth eruption, including losing a baby tooth too late, having a very small mouth, or having more or less than the usual 20 baby teeth. An abnormal tooth eruption may correct itself eventually, or it may require repositioning by your child’s orthodontist.

Tooth Crowding

As your child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt, you may notice that they overlap, grow in crooked, or may twist or rotate out of position. This is a sign of overcrowding, and it’s caused by too many teeth in too little space. Sometimes, genetics play roles in overcrowded teeth. Or other factors, such as injury or excess teeth may be to blame.

Overcrowded teeth in childhood must be corrected because it makes proper brushing and flossing more difficult. It may also affect your child’s self-esteem, and it may cause bigger problems, such as malocclusion, as your child grows older.

Crossbite

Crossbites happen when an upper tooth lands inside a lower tooth when your child’s mouth is closed. This is usually fixed by wearing a device called a palatal expander. Call McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics when your child needs a pediatric dental appointment in Solon, OH.

3 Common Issues Treated by Orthodontists

Orthodontists are amazingly skilled at gently manipulating the teeth and bite, moving all elements into their proper positions. Through their care techniques, your oral health and overall quality of life can dramatically improve.

You may need to see an orthodontist if you have any bite or tooth alignment irregularities, especially if they are causing difficulty eating, speaking, or smiling. Here are a few conditions these professionals treat.

Open Bite

In a perfect world, your upper and lower molars would line up just so, creating a perfectly even bite. If you are prone to tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, or similar habits, your bite may not develop correctly. An open bite typically develops as a result, leaving a gap between your upper and lower sets of teeth. Open bites can also occur due to simple genetic factors or seemingly at random.

No matter the cause, if left without treatment, an open bite can cause problems eating regular meals and conversing with others. Treatment depends on the severity of the open bite and all other complicating factors.

Overjet

While similar to an overbite, overjet occurs when the teeth actually splay outward rather than sit vertically in the mouth. When teeth protrude, they often impact confidence and make it hard to eat certain foods.

Both genetics and habits contribute to the development of protruding teeth. Either way, this condition is usually easy to treat with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances. The severity of the problem determines which appliance your orthodontist will use for treatment.

Crowding

Orthodontists regularly resolve tooth spacing issues, such as crowding. With crowding, your teeth are spaced too close together or may even overlap.

When your teeth do not have enough space, you are at risk of cavities, tooth decay, and other trying problems. You may also feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile and the ability to chew without difficulty. Thankfully, fixing crowding is often as easy as wearing braces — and attending all follow-ups with your orthodontist.

Orthodontists treat many other bite and teeth alignment issues that often cause problems for their patients. If you have bite or tooth alignment issues, you can easily acquire the orthodontic care you need by reaching out to our team at Arnstine McGuire Orthodontics. You can request an appointment online or fill out our form to receive a prompt response back.

What You Should Know About OrthoPulse

Braces and aligners help straighten teeth and correct jaw alignment problems, but it takes time to get the results you want. This means having to come in for several appointments until your treatment is done. With OrthoPulse, you can shorten the amount of time you’ll need to wear an orthodontic appliance overall. Learn more about what OrthoPulse is and how it works.

What Is OrthoPulse?

OrthoPulse is a device that you can use at home to speed up orthodontic treatment. This device has been cleared by the FDA for orthodontic use with aligners and braces. Your orthodontist can provide you with this device to use at home for roughly ten minutes a day. The amount of time you’ll need to use it overall will depend on different factors, such as how crooked your teeth are or how severe your jaw alignment problem is.

What Are the Benefits of OrthoPulse?

When you use OrthoPulse while wearing aligners or braces, you’ll end up needing orthodontic treatment for a shorter amount of time. This device also helps reduce the number of appointments you need to come in for, and you won’t have to deal with discomfort you might experience when you wear braces or aligners on a long-term basis. With OrthoPulse, you’ll also be able to return to your normal diet sooner instead of having to avoid certain foods when you have braces or aligners on.

How Does OrthoPulse Work?

OrthoPulse uses low amounts of heat and light to stimulate bone and cell growth around your tooth roots. This helps correct jaw problems and straighten teeth in a shorter timeframe. OrthoPulse is considered safe to use since it does not produce high or unsafe amounts of heat or light. Your orthodontist can let you know if this device is suitable for you to use if you wear aligners or braces. If you will be using OrthoPulse, your dentist will provide you with instructions on how to use it at home.

If you need more information on OrthoPulse, please contact Arnstine and McGuire Orthodontics to make an appointment.

Top Reasons to See Your Orthodontist for Braces

Orthodontists can use braces to correct tooth and bite misalignments that impact how you want your smile to look. Through these corrections, it is even possible to improve the function of your teeth, making it easier to speak clearly and chew your food. To see if you are a good candidate for braces, you will need to schedule an exam with your trusted orthodontist. During the consultation appointment, they will look for common problems that they can correct with braces, such as:

Crowded Teeth

To treat crowded teeth, orthodontists have to use braces to pull each one into proper alignment gradually. Without fixing these teeth, the lack of spacing can trap plaque and bacteria against the surface of the enamel. As the bacteria releases acidic waste into that small area, rapid tooth decay often begins and damages the enamel. The lack of this protective layer leaves your teeth vulnerable to developing advanced decay and gum disease, which could result in tooth loss.

 

Gaps in Tooth Spacing

Braces can also help eliminate large gaps in tooth spacing to create your ideal smile and improve the function of your teeth. When positioned near the front of the mouth, these gaps are typically caused by thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and other mechanical processes. As this process occurs, spacing between the molars tends to decrease in kind. With braces, it is possible to bring all the teeth into proper alignment at the same time.

Bite Misalignments

When used with other corrective devices, braces can even correct misalignments at the jaw-level. To treat an underbite, for example, orthodontists use braces equipped with expanders to widen the upper palate gradually. This aligns the upper jaw with the lower jaw by the end of the orthodontic treatment period. With the correction of bite misalignments using braces, orthodontists can help their patients achieve their health and beauty goals.

Schedule Your Orthodontic Exam to See if Braces are Right for You

If you think you could benefit from braces, you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist right away. They will assess your oral health and help determine if you would be a good candidate for braces. To schedule your visit to our clinic, feel free to call our team any time at 440-349-1129.

Adult Braces Options

There has never been a better time to get your teeth straightened. The number of orthodontic options available has increased dramatically from when you were a kid and saw your friends wearing those heavy metal bands across their teeth. Today’s orthodontists have a myriad of solutions available for adults who want to improve their smile or correct a misaligned bite with braces.

If you’re considering braces after age 18, don’t worry; you’re not alone. From 25 to 50 percent of the average orthodontist’s patients graduated from high school years, if not decades, ago… and this number is increasing every year.

You Adult Braces Options

1. Invisible line braces. This type of brace is all but invisible and allows you to feel good about your smile even while you are having your teeth straightened.

2. Regular or conventional braces. These are the metal wires and bands that are cemented on your teeth and are tightened every four to six weeks. However, today’s conventional braces are lighter and much less noticeable than those of a generation ago.

man in dental chair

3. Clear Aligners. These devices fit over your teeth and gradually move them into their correct alignment. They are nearly invisible, but unlike invisible line braces, they can be removed for eating and cleaning your teeth. Aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. A new device is created periodically until your teeth are their final position.

4. Ceramic braces. This type of braces also involves bands and wires, but with ceramic braces, the bands are tinted to match your teeth so that they are much less noticeable. However, this option is considerably more expensive than regular braces.

5. Lingual braces. Lingual braces are just like conventional braces except that the wires are cemented to the back of your teeth, making them much less noticeable.

To learn more about type of braces is best for you, visit us online at Arnstine and McGuire Orthodontics, or request an appointment by calling (insert contact information). Our practice has been helping people in the greater Cleveland area improve their smiles for more than 50 years.

5 Things to Know About Invisalign

Millions of people have achieved the straight teeth of their dreams thanks to Invisalign technology. Old-fashioned braces did the job just fine, but many people are uncomfortable with traditional braces because they’re so obvious. Adults working in professional fields, for instance, need to cultivate a polished, understated appearance and may, therefore, prefer Invisalign over other options. However, there are considerations to keep in mind before coming to a final decision concerning whether Invisalign is the best choice for you. Following are five things you should know about Invisalign.

You Can Remove Them During Meal Times

One of the main issues with traditional braces is that they must remain in place throughout the treatment. With Invisalign, however, you can remove them during mealtimes so that they won’t interfere with your enjoyment of eating and drinking.

You Shouldn’t Smoke While Using Invisalign

One of the primary reasons for choosing Invisalign over traditional braces is that they’re far less noticeable. However, if you’re a smoker, the smoke will invariably cause discoloration that will make the presence of the aligners visible.

Only Drink Water While Wearing Your Aligners

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine, juice, and a variety of other beverages have the potential to create unsightly stains on your Invisalign aligners. While you’re wearing them, it’s best only to drink water to avoid staining them. If morning coffee is an essential part of your daily routine, remove the aligners before drinking it and brush your teeth thoroughly after you’re finished.

Treatment Time is Usually Shorter

Invisalign treatments generally take about one year from start to finish. Most patients also enjoy less frequent visits to the office.

Invisalign Isn’t for Everyone

Not all patients are good candidates for Invisalign. Traditional braces may be a better choice for those with severely crooked teeth or gaps between individual teeth.

Please feel free to call us at your convenience to schedule an Invisalign consultation so that we can help you determine whether this path to a gorgeous smile is the right option for your circumstances.

When is the Right Time for Braces?

The decision to get braces for your children or for your own teeth can raise concerns about the timing. When should you consider braces as an adult? Is there an ideal time to get braces for your children? By clarifying the ideal timing, you will be able to discuss your options with our dentist to ensure that braces are a good choice in your situation.

Braces for Children

While it is possible to get braces at any age, many children benefit from braces when they get them during their formative years. Since the head and mouth are still growing and developing during childhood, the treatment may help with overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, or crowding in the mouth.

As a general rule, it is ideal to get children checked by a dentist when they start losing their baby teeth and their adult teeth start coming in. Crowding or crooked teeth will usually become apparent around 10 years old, but the ideal timing for braces among children is between 10 and 14 years old.

Braces for Adults

Adults who decide to get braces may not need to worry about the timing. In general, the right time for an adult depends on their goals and situation. It may depend on financial situations or personal preferences when you decide to talk to our professionals about braces.

Trauma to the face and jaw may impact your decision to consider braces. If you were injured and it changed your bite or caused problems with your teeth, then you will want to discuss appropriate treatments with a professional before determining that braces will help with your needs.

The decision to wear braces to straighten your teeth or address a problem with your jaw may require some adjustment to the timing. While the ideal timing is during development, adults can still benefit from braces to correct specific concerns or problems. The key is discussing your options with our professionals before you make a decision about your teeth.

Modern Braces Provide Teens and Adolescents with Attractive Choices

In the not-so-distant past, braces were considered to be a rite of passage that was looked upon with dread by many adolescents and teens. With clunky metal brackets and rubber bands, it is evident to all that the child was wearing an orthodontic device. Today, though, there are more options than ever before when it comes to treating any improper tooth spacing, poor alignment or bad bite that might be an issue with this age group.

Updated Metal Braces

The familiar metal braces that everyone recognizes are still a popular orthodontic device. These days, though, you’ll find that they’re not only smaller and lighter, but that they can also be customized with items such as brightly-colored bands.

Clear Braces and Aligners

There has been a great deal of excitement regarding clear braces and aligners over the past few years — and with good reason. The fact that braces are so visible was a reason for adults not to have this teeth-straightening procedure. With clear braces, tooth-colored brackets are used instead of metal ones. This makes it less noticeable for teens who need braces and is an essential consideration for the life stage when many adolescents are self-conscious.

Aligners designed of clear plastic and worn for 22 hours each day could also be an option for a teen. In addition to being nearly invisible, clear aligners slowly straighten the teeth and include indicators so that the dentist knows how often they are being used.

Completely Invisible Braces

Did you know that your teen might be a good candidate for a type of braces that attach to the back of the teeth so they aren’t visible at all? While the final decision rests with your adolescent’s dental professional, it’s possible that these lingual braces could be a good orthodontic appliance for your teen.

Whether you think your adolescent needs braces or you’re simply looking for a new orthodontist, McGuire Orthodontics is here to help! Get in touch with us today for more information or to schedule a consultation regarding your teen’s oral health.

Adults Getting Braces

Teenagers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from braces! Adults can get braces too, and more often than not, the braces experience is much easier and more effective for adults.

Why? Unlike teenagers, adults understand better what they’re getting into when they get braces. Instructions from orthodontists to brush and floss daily, avoid certain foods, gargle, etc. are taken seriously, and this produces faster and more effective teeth and/or bite alignment results.

Types of Braces

There are several different types of braces available for adults. These include:

Standard Metal Braces

With gentle pressure, these braces slowly move your teeth or jaw into place. Brackets will be placed on each affected tooth, and in between, you’ll have metal wires. These will be adjusted and tightened every few weeks by your orthodontist until your desired teeth alignment has been achieved.

Clear Braces

If you don’t like the idea of metal braces that are difficult to ignore when you smile, Invisalign or other clear braces might be right for you. Invisalign braces are clear teeth plastic trays formed to your teeth and virtually unnoticeable. Keep in mind that Invisalign braces and other clear braces require just as much care as standard metal braces, and they don’t always work with all jaw and teeth corrections. For example, if you have a large gap between two teeth you’d like to close, standard metal braces may still be your best option for an effective fix to the problem.

Considering Braces?
Braces can change your life for the better. Many adults missed getting braces in their teen years and mistakenly assume that they lost their chance. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you are an adult and are unhappy with the way your teeth are aligned or situated in your mouth, braces can fix the problem, perfectly align your teeth, and boost your confidence for the rest of your life.

Don’t wait to change your life for the better with braces! At Arnstine & McGuire Orthodontics, we can help you choose the best type of braces for your needs. Call or use our online form to book your preliminary appointment today!

Top Foods to Avoid With Your New Braces

While braces might be a bit of an inconvenience, keep in mind that they’re only a temporary inconvenience – and the end result is almost always worth it. Aside from trips to the orthodontist, learning how to brush and floss with braces, and potential irritation and discomfort once they’re first put on, one other thing you have to keep in mind with orthodontics is that there are certain foods you should not eat. Here’s a look:

Common Symptoms After Getting New Braces

After braces are administered, it’s not uncommon to have some tenderness in the teeth and gums. The good news is that this subsides within a few days. The bad news, however, is that it can make eating in the immediate aftermath a little more complicated. It’s generally recommended that you stick to soft foods for the first three to five days after getting new braces. Because the teeth may be tender, biting into certain tough or hard foods can be uncomfortable. Sticking to softer foods until your teeth and mouth grow accustomed to your new braces can help. If the discomfort is too much, consider taking some over-the-counter pain reliever.

Foods to Avoid With New Braces

While you should stick to soft foods for the first few days after getting new braces, you’ll be able to move on to tough and hard foods shortly. However, there still are certain foods that you should stray away from with braces. Generally, this includes anything that’s hard or sticky. Here’s a look at some foods you’ll want to be sure to avoid or else risk damage to your braces:

  • Popcorn
  • Certain candies, such as licorice, caramels, gum and hard candies
  • Ice
  • Corn on the cob
  • Apples and carrots
  • Hard rolls

Additionally, you should do your best to eliminate any bad habits to prevent damage to your braces, such as refraining from chewing on fingernails, pencils, etc. Damage to your braces can mean more frequent return trips to the orthodontist and potentially even a prolonged period wearing the braces.

For more information on foods to avoid with your new braces, contact us today.