ortho for adults
Orthodontic treatment for adults can vary greatly, possibly requiring extractions and/or jaw surgery, removable bite plates, braces on either upper and/or lower teeth, and occasionally elastics. Braces have become more esthetic over the last 20 years, becoming smaller and less obvious. In fact, clear plastic, ceramic or lingual braces can often be used.
Signs You May Need Braces
Overcrowding
Insufficient space within the jaw to accommodate all the teeth properly. This results in the teeth being crowded or misaligned, causing them to overlap, twist, or shift out of their ideal positions.
Can occur as a result of genetics, retained baby teeth, premature tooth loss.
Overbite
Upper front teeth overlap excessively with the lower front teeth when the jaw is closed. It is a common orthodontic issue and can vary in severity from mild to severe. In a normal bite, the upper front teeth slightly overlap the lower front teeth, but in an overbite, the overlap is exaggerated. Causes – genetics, thumb sucking, teeth grinding, missing teeth. Effects – speech issues, gum irritation.
Underbite
The lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth when the jaw is closed. In other words, the lower jaw extends further forward than the upper jaw, causing the lower teeth to sit in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. Causes – genetics, jaw growth discrepancies, tongue posture, tooth loss. Effects – speech difficulties, TMJ, aesthetics.
Protruding Teeth
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Open Bite
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Tooth Wear or Decay
Toothwear, also known as dental erosion or enamel erosion, refers to the loss of tooth structure due to the chemical dissolution of the dental hard tissues (enamel and dentin) by acidic substances. This condition is not caused by bacteria, as is the case with tooth decay, but rather by exposure to acidic foods, drinks, or gastric acids.
