Self Diagnosis
Welcome to the Self Diagnosis section of our website. Below you can read through common orthodontic problems and view diagrams to help you visualize them. Also included are the usual treatment methods and how long you may expect that treatment to take.
After you've finished here, you may want to visit our Financing Options page, complete an online Health History, and contact us to reserve your initial visit.
*In orthodontics, as in all other healthcare treatment, different conditions often result due to individual variation. Diagnostic records may be necessary to obtain an accurate orthodontic evaluation.
Excessive Protrusion
Excessive Protrusion of the upper front teeth ("buck teeth") can be treated during the active growing years with a combined orthodontic and orthopedic approach using full braces and the Herbst Orthopedic Corrector. Depending on the cause, this condition can often be successfully managed without headgear or the extraction of permanent teeth. Adult patients with severe protrusion problems may require Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontics. Often, mild protrusion can be treated in both children and adults using only full braces and elastic rubber bands. In children under ten years of age with no immediate social concerns regarding their orthodontic problem, a decision may be made to wait for further eruption of permanent teeth before starting active treatment. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life. Treatment times for excessive protrusion range anywhere from the traditional 24 months to as short as 14-18 months with our special Invisalign™ technology.
Crowded or Overlapped Teeth
Crowded or Overlapped Teeth can be successfully treated (without pulling permanent teeth) with either partial or full braces. Minor problems can be corrected in a matter of a few months while more severe cases may require up to two years of treatment. Treatment time can be dramatically shortened (often halved) with our special Invisalign™ technology. In children under ten, a decision may be made to wait for further eruption of permanent teeth, and in severe cases expanders may be placed prior to braces to develop the dental arches. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Large Gaps
Noticeably Large Gaps between the teeth can be successfully treated with full braces. Small spaces can usually be corrected in a matter of a few months while larger gaps may require 18-24 months of treatment. With our special Invisalign™ technology, treatment time can be dramatically shortened (often halved). In children under ten, small gaps between the upper front teeth are relatively common, so a decision may be made to wait for further eruption of permanent teeth before starting active treatment. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Deep Bite
When the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth too much, an unhealthy Deep Bite results which may cause damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw joints. Full braces will be required to "unlock" and "open" the bite. Treatment time ranges anywhere from the traditional 24 months to as short as 10-16 months with our special Invisalign™ technology. In children under ten, a decision may be made to wait for further eruption of the permanent teeth before starting active treatment. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Crossbite
When the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth rather than outside, an expander together with full or partial braces may be required to fix the Crossbite. In order to avoid asymmetrical jaw growth, crossbites are usually treated as soon as the problem is diagnosed (sometimes as early as age five or six). Successful correction can still be achieved well into the teens and even into adulthood. Crossbite elastic rubber bands or, in severe cases, Orthognathic Jaw Surgery may be required to aid in the final correction. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life. Early treatment with expanders can often only be accomplished over the course of 6-18 months. More complex cases involving braces together with the expanders can still be completed within the traditional 24 month period. Treatment time involving our special Invisalign™ technology can be dramatically reduced (often halved).
Underbite
An Underbite results when the upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth. Mild cases can often be successfully treated with full braces and elastic rubber bands. In severe instances, Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontics during adulthood may be required. In contrast, children as young as age six or seven may be good candidates for orthopedic correction in conjunction with full braces, thereby eliminating the need for jaw surgery later in life. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life. Treatment time for underbite correction varies from several months in minor instances to several years in cases involving actively growing patients. With our special Invisalign™ technology, overall treatment times can be dramatically shortened (often halved).
Open Bite
An Open Bite occurs when you can stick your tongue between the upper and lower front teeth when the back teeth are together. Often, a tongue thrusting or thumb sucking habit accentuates this problem and may interfere with proper bite correction. Effective treatment may involve tongue retraining exercises and thumb sucking cessation devices followed up with full braces and anterior elastic rubber bands. In severe cases, Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment during adulthood may be indicated. Children under ten should be monitored closely for any abnormal neuromuscular habits. Habit appliances can be easily fabricated at this age to alter existing habit patterns. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment time for open bite correction ranges from the traditional 18-24 months to as short as 10-16 months with our special Invisalign™ technology.
Midlines Off
Dental Midlines (one between the upper front teeth and the other between the lower front teeth) should line up with each other and should also line up with the bridge of the nose. When they do not line up, the probable cause may be drifted teeth or a shifted lower jaw. Drifted teeth in children and adults may be successfully treated with full braces to move the teeth back into their proper positions. On the other hand, a shifted lower jaw should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to prevent further jaw growth problems. In young children, an expander may be all that is required to correct the problem. In non-growing adult patients, Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontics may be indicated for proper facial alignment. Treatment time varies from several months up to two years based on the complexity of the problem. With our special Invisalign™ technology, treatment time for midline corrections can be dramatically shortened (often halved). In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Impacted Teeth
Impacted Teeth cannot erupt due to their position in the jaws. Often times with full or partial braces, enough room can be created in the dental arches to encourage the eruption of the teeth into the mouth. Occasionally, an additional procedure will be necessary to "expose" the tooth in an effort to guide it in to its proper position. Missing Teeth lead to unsightly gaps after the baby teeth are lost. Often, the adjacent teeth tip into the gap and need to be repositioned with braces prior to the replacement of the missing teeth with a bridge or implant. In many instances, the adjacent teeth may be substituted for the missing teeth, thereby eliminating the need for expensive dental replacements. Treatment time varies from a few months to a couple of years depending on the complexity of tooth movement. With our special Invisalign™ technology, treatment time can be significantly shortened (often halved). In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Retruded Lower Jaw
A Retruded Lower Jaw can be treated during the active growing years with a combined orthodontic and orthopedic approach using full braces and the Herbst Orthopedic Corrector. Significant profile correction can now be achieved without the use of external headgear devices. Treatment time averages between 18-24 months but can be drastically shortened with our special Invisalign™ technology (often halved). Adult patients with a severely retruded lower jaw may require Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontics to improve the profile. In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.
Protruded Lower Jaw
A severely Protruded Lower Jaw can be successfully treated in young children as early as age six with facial orthopedics followed by full braces as the permanent teeth erupt. This comprehensive approach may eliminate the need for jaw surgery later in life. Treatment time may extend over several years since the child is being monitored throughout their active growth phase. In non-growing adult patients, Orthognathic Jaw Surgery in conjunction with orthodontics may be indicated to achieve significant profile correction. Treatment time traditionally ranges from 18-24 months, but can be drastically reduced with our special Invisalign™ technology (often halved). In order to enhance the stability of the final result, our office offers permanent retainers to help maintain your smile for the rest of your life.