What is Malocclusion?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Kristine

Malocclusion refers to teeth that are crooked, crowded, spaced, or protruding. It is a term used to describe teeth that do not fit together properly. Malocclusion is often genetic. It includes crowding, excess space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, and cleft palate. Malocclusions that are not genetic, but acquired can be caused by thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusts, dental disease, and premature loss of primary or permanent teeth.

If malocclusion is left untreated then it may worsen over time. Crooked or crowded teeth are more difficult to clean and maintain. This could lead to cavities, gum disease, and potential tooth loss.

There are three classes of malocclusion:

Class 1 is the most common. The bite may seem normal, but the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth.
Class 2 is an overbite. This happens when the upper jaw and teeth severely overlap the bottom jaw and teeth.
Class 3 is an under bite. An under bite occurs when the lower jaw protrudes forward and causes the lower jaw and teeth to overlap the upper jaw and teeth.

Malocclusion is the most common reason to visit an orthodontist. The objective is to fix the positioning of the teeth. To do this your orthodontist will use braces or other appliances.

Orthodontic treatment can give you the smile of your dreams! At Lansdowne Orthodontics we create beautiful faces one smile at a time. Contact us today for your complimentary orthodontic screening!

Signs It’s Time to See an Orthodontist

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Kristine

Though it is recommended that children receive their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7 (permanent teeth and jaw fusion begins around age 8), there are some problems that can be identified at earlier ages. Read through the following if you are concerned about your child’s teeth. With early detection, you may be able to prevent serious problems from cropping up in your son or daughter’s adolescence and/or adult life.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Problem

If you recognize any of the following in your child, then consider consulting an orthodontist:

Difficulty chewing/biting.
Crowding, displaced, or abnormally spaced teeth.
Clicking jaw.
Mouth breathing.
Early or late loss of baby teeth.
Persistent bad habits (aka thumb sucking or tongue thrusting).

At-Home Tests

Fortunately, there are at-home strategies parents can use to detect orthodontic problems in their children. Try the following if you think your child may be in need of orthodontic treatment:

Examine your child’s teeth and identify potential overlaps or gaps—these should be corrected early on by an orthodontist to prevent prolonged treatments and surgeries in the future.
Have your child bite down, keeping their lips parted. If the front teeth significantly overlap the bottom, then your child has an overbite. If you perform the same test and the bottom teeth are overlapping the top, causing the jaw to jut outward, then your child has an underbite. In both situations an orthodontist should be consulted.
Check your child’s jaw alignment, and determine if his or her jaw shifts to the side when biting. This may be a sign of a skeletal or muscle problem and should be examined by an orthodontist.

If you recognize any of the above signs in your child and you live in the Leesburg or Ashburn area, give us a call at Lansdowne Orthodontics. Our experts can provide your child with the care he or she needs and can also give you helpful advice on how to prevent future problems.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical or dental advice. You should contact your dentist to obtain advice with respect to any particular dental issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a dentist-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the dental office or any individual dentist or medical professional.

The Importance of Early Phase Orthodontic Treatment

Posted on June 8, 2011 by admin

Dental problems can be uncomfortable and costly—especially if they require surgery or extensive treatment. Through early phase orthodontic treatment, however, many dental problems can be prevented. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be brought in for their first orthodontic check-up by age 7. Here are the reasons why:

Guidance of Teeth—Early orthodontic treatment will likely reduce the need for later extraction of permanent teeth. Prior to the complete maturation of your child’s mouth, an orthodontist will be able to guide the growth of baby teeth so that the space needed by permanent teeth will not be compromised. This is also an important deterrent to impacted teeth, which would necessitate oral surgery and more invasive orthodontic treatments in the future.
Guidance of Jaw—While jaw procedures performed later in life can be painful or require jaw surgery, jaw widening procedures performed before the fusion of the upper jaw (at approximately age are far less taxing.
Lower Risk of Trauma to Front Teeth—Protruding front teeth are not only uncomfortable—they are also more susceptible to physical trauma (especially if your child is physically active). Chances of severe and painful damage to teeth can be reduced with early orthodontic care.
Correction of Harmful Habits—Habits like thumb-sucking, cheek biting, or tongue-thrusting can affect your child’s speech and their ability to chew. If your child receives early phase orthodontic treatment, then he/she is more likely to cease these harmful habits, reducing their chances of prolonged orthodontic treatment or oral surgery.
Aesthetics—If treated early, crooked or awkwardly spaced teeth can be corrected much more quickly than if the problem had been left untended.

If you are a parent living in the Leesburg/Ashburn area and your child has yet to see an orthodontist, then call Lansdowne Orthodontics to set up an appointment! Feel free to read more about the benefits of early orthodontic treatment on our website, and visit our online smile gallery to see the results in real-life patients.