What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the practice in dentistry of correcting teeth and jaws that are improperly aligned or positioned. Teeth that are out of place or crooked don’t just affect your appearance, they can detract from your overall health.
When your teeth are crooked or simply don’t fit together correctly, they’re at risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease. There’s also greater risk for causing undue stress on chewing muscles that may lead to headaches, or back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Do I need orthodontic treatment?
Dr. Urquiaga can help determine whether or not you’ll benefit from orthodontic treatments. After a consultation that includes your full medical and dental history, a clinical exam, X-rays, and photographs, he determines if you need orthodontics. Using the information gathered, Dr. Urquiaga develops a treatment plan. The following conditions could make you an ideal candidate for orthodontic treatment:
- Overbite: Your upper front teeth stick out over your lower teeth
- Underbite: Your lower teeth are too far forward or your upper teeth are too far back
- Crossbite: Your upper teeth don’t come down a little bit in front of your lower teeth when chewing or biting
- Open bite: There’s a space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when you bite down your back teeth together
- Misplaced midline: When the centers of your upper front teeth and lower front teeth don’t align
- Spacing: Spaces between your teeth, or missing teeth, cause gaps in your mouth
- Crowding: When there are too many teeth sitting the dental ridge
What types of orthodontic treatments does Dr. Urquiaga offer?
Dr. Urquiaga offers Six Month Smiles® as an orthodontic alternative to Invisalign®.
Six Month Smiles takes some of the best parts of traditional braces and modifies the treatment, making it more accessible to more people of all ages. On average, it only takes six months for your teeth to straighten. The clear brackets and tooth-colored wires used make them barely visible on your teeth.
This treatment is usually less expensive than traditional braces or Invisalign®.
