In orthodontics, we define your bite as how your teeth come together when you close your mouth, but it can also be defined as how you tear into something with your teeth or chew. Both definitions are important when considering the functionality and aesthetics of your bite because, unfortunately, only some have the perfect alignment!
An irregular bite can be called by a few different names, depending on how the teeth align. An overbite is when the upper teeth stick out farther than your lower teeth. An open bite is when the top and bottom teeth do not connect when you bite down. An underbite is when the lower front teeth in your lower jaw stick out past the teeth in your upper jaw. A crossbite is when some or all teeth in your upper jaw fit inside the lower teeth. Overcrowding is when there is not enough space for your teeth, so they become pushed together. A misplaced midline bite is when the center of your upper front teeth doesn’t match with the center of your lower teeth.
But you don’t have to live with discomfort and challenges created by a bad bite! DiMarzio Orthodontics can help improve your teeth and jaw alignment!
What Issues Are Caused By A Bad Bite?
Before we share how DiMarzio Orthodontics can help your bite, it’s necessary to understand the danger of not fixing your alignment.
Your mouth allows you to communicate and eat, and while that sounds simple, both are essential to your quality of life. When you have an incorrect alignment, your ability to open and close your jaw and chew your food is negatively impacted. Abnormal stress and pressure on the teeth and jaw can lead to the following:
- Difficulty communicating due to a speech impediment or pain
- Unable to adequately chew food, which can lead to choking, indigestion, heartburn, and other complications
- Narrow air passageways, causing mouth breathing, sleep apnea, snoring, and other breathing disorders
- Dry mouth
- Jaw joint disorders (also known as TMJ disorders) that once developed can only be managed, never cured
- Wear and tear on the teeth that strips the enamel and chips teeth
- Increased risk of dental trauma
- Increased risk of vitamin deficiency
- Migraines
- Neck pain
This list isn’t all that your teeth and jaw alignment can cause or affect, so be sure to bring up any concerns you have with Dr. DiMarzo or Dr. Marczak so your treatment can be as effective as possible.
How Can DiMarzio Orthodontics Treat A Bad Bite?
There are a few ways to treat a bad bite at DiMarzio Orthodontics, so let’s dive right in!
Invisalign
We proudly offer our patients the leading in-office clear aligner brand, Invisalign. The company creates transparent, removable trays that straighten the teeth by applying continuous, gentle pressure. Each tray is custom-made using state-of-the-art interactive digital technology, giving you the utmost comfort and snug fit for a discreet appearance.
Invisalign has treatment plans for children, teens, and adults. Due to the discipline required in wearing a removable orthodontic appliance and limitations in the tray design, we recommend them for patients with milder concerns.
Clear braces
If you have more complex bite needs or don’t want to remember to wear clear aligners, we suggest clear braces! These work identically to their metal counterpart (brackets, wires, bands), but their brackets are made of different materials. Instead of metal, they use a tooth-colored ceramic material that creates the illusion of clear braces when paired with matching ligatures!
The 3M Clarity braces we offer are comfortable and stain resistant. However, they are not as strong as metal, and require more at-home care and less intense wire adjustments. You are likely to spend more time in clear braces compared to metal to fix the same issues, but you receive the aesthetic advantage.
We recommend this treatment option for adults and older teenagers.
Metal braces
Metal braces can treat almost all alignment concerns. They are durable and provide our orthodontists the most control over the movement of your teeth. Though all our treatment options have the option of added accessories, like orthodontic elastics that connect to the upper and lower rows for jaw adjustments, metal braces are the best route if you require additional tools due to their strength. Metal braces are great for patients of all ages.
Two-Phase Treatment
We recommend children visit an orthodontist for the first time by age seven to find and treat any potential issues early. The still-developing bones of children allow for simple orthodontic adjustments that would require more costly or invasive treatments in adults.
Two-Phase Treatment takes place in two stages. The first phase occurs when your child is younger and still has some baby teeth. Phase two happens a few years later when your child has grown in most or all of their adult teeth.
Orthodontic work in children is not for cosmetic purposes! It is only to provide necessary preventative care (to stop a problem from developing), interceptive care (to stop an already developing problem), and development guidance (giving the jaw and teeth direction and assistance as your child grows).
Surgical Orthodontics
For some patients, surgery might be required. While it sounds scary, with our incredible team at DiMarzio Orthodontics, it’s not!
The kind of surgery you receive depends on your alignment needs, and Dr. DiMarzio and Dr. Marczak will be there every step of the way. They will keep you informed and answer all your questions so you can feel comfortable and confident.
Visit Us At DiMarzio Orthodontics For All Your Bite Needs!
Are you ready to discover how orthodontic treatment can help you? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
Bite issues usually worsen over time, so the sooner you get started, the easier it will be!
We look forward to meeting you and your family to improve your quality of life through your smile!