If you’ve got crooked teeth, you may wish that they were straighter. “Crooked teeth” is an awfully ambiguous phrase and one that includes a lot of different dental issues. Your orthodontist and dentist in Legacy will identify and diagnose exactly what is affecting the alignment and positioning of your teeth. After all, “crooked” isn’t really a dental diagnosis. Once the precise nature of your alignment issues has been identified, a dentist near you will help you to identify your best options for achieving your goal of “straighter teeth.” Wearing Invisalign in Legacy is one option your dentist will describe for treating six different teeth alignment issues. Here’s an introduction to the six types of alignment issues that Invisalign can treat.
An overbite is when your upper front teeth are larger than and overlap with your upper lower teeth. An overbite is sometimes referred to as a deep bite or overjet. If an overbite is left unadjusted, it can cause gum problems, worn lower teeth and jaw pain.
An underbite is the opposite scenario as an overbite. Someone with an underbite has lower front teeth that are larger than and overlap the upper front teeth when their mouth is closed. An untreated underbite can cause worn teeth and jaw pain, and also interfere with the ability to speak clearly and chew normally.
Crossbites occur when some of the teeth in your upper jaw sit inside the teeth in your lower jaw rather than outside those lower teeth. A crossbite can cause discomfort, bone loss, gum problems and worn and chipped teeth.
Gapped teeth are teeth with unusually large or inconsistent spaces between them. Gapped teeth are especially vulnerable to tooth decay because they tend to trap food debris and particles. The deterioration of those food substances can also cause bad breath and, with the production of acids and bacteria, contribute to gum disease.
An open bite occurs when the teeth in your upper jaw and lower jaw don’t come into contact with each other when you close your mouth. An open bite will, unless treated by obtaining Invisalign near you, will undermine your ability to chew, bite and eat properly.
The meaning of crowded teeth is probably pretty obvious. If your jaw is too small to accommodate all of your teeth, your teeth may be pushed out of alignment or new teeth (including wisdom teeth) may become impacted in your gums. Overcrowded teeth cause jaw, face and gum pain and make it much harder to keep your teeth clean and bacteria-free by flossing and brushing.
Whatever type of dental alignment issue you are experiencing, that issue has both cosmetic and functional effects. It affects the way your teeth and mouth look, and how your teeth work. Fixing these types of alignment issues with Invisalign in Walden can improve your appearance and confidence, improve your oral health, eliminate pain and discomfort, eliminate the need for future dental treatment and help you to eat and speak effectively and clearly.
If you’ve been diagnosed with any one of these alignment issues, ask your dentist in Walden if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you haven’t consulted with an orthodontist yet, but recognize one of these descriptions compared to what you see in the mirror, ask a dentist at Walden Dental Wellness to examine the alignment of your teeth carefully to confirm whether orthodontic treatment — including with Invisalign — may be appropriate to improve the appearance and function of your teeth and mouth.