How Occlusions Can be Treated with Orthodontics

Orthodontics Fort Lee, NJ

Orthodontics offers various treatments that can improve teeth occlusion. The term “occlusion” refers to how your top set of teeth meets the bottom set. It can also refer to the way that your teeth are aligned with your jaw.

The way that both sets of teeth meet each other has a significant impact on how you chew, speak, or smile. Poor teeth alignment can also make your teeth more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Malocclusion (poor teeth or jaw alignment) often leads to teeth overlapping in abnormal ways, making it harder to clean their surfaces and interdental spaces.

Other issues that malocclusion can lead to include:

  • Teeth sensitivity
  • Loose teeth
  • Fractured teeth
  • Overworked jaw muscles
  • Headaches
  • Temporomandibular joint issues
  • Neckaches

Treating malocclusion with orthodontics

The type of malocclusion that a person has determines how orthodontics can be used to help them. A few ways that a dentist might approach addressing a patient’s malocclusion include the following.

1. Equilibration

This involves adjusting the biting surfaces of the patient’s teeth to improve their function. It is a gentle procedure that usually involves shaving or altering one or a few teeth to create a more even bite that prevents abnormal stress from being placed on the patient’s teeth or jaw joints. It can be an effective solution for temporomandibular joint disorders.

2. Restorative treatment

Malocclusions can sometimes be fixed by covering up the patient’s teeth with restorations like crowns to align and correct the patient’s bite. The treatment is often recommended to restore poor alignment caused by issues like teeth grinding, tooth decay, or missing teeth.

3. Splints

Dental appliances like bite guards, occlusal splints, or dental splints can be placed on mandibular or maxillary teeth to improve a patient’s bite by helping to relax their jaw muscles. Splints can help alleviate the stress placed on teeth due to temporomandibular joint problems. These devices do not cause any permanent changes to the patient’s teeth.

4. Orthodontics

Orthodontic appliances like braces, headgear, and clear aligners can be used to treat a wide range of malocclusions. Braces have been around for centuries and are among the most effective ways to address various teeth alignment issues. They work by gradually pushing the patient’s teeth to a better alignment over a period of about 12 to 36 months.

Treatment with braces involves cementing brackets on the patient’s teeth and using wires to connect the brackets on each dental arch. The tighter that these wires are, the more force is being applied to the patient’s teeth.

Clear aligners work using the same concept, but the treatment involves using virtually invisible transparent trays. These trays are removable, so they do not complicate meals or oral hygiene. Clear aligners exert more precise forces on the wearer’s teeth, which shortens the length of the patient’s treatment.

We can fix your bite

A bad bite can make everyday tasks like eating, speaking, or smiling more challenging than they should be. Call or visit our Fort Lee clinic to explore treatment options with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://fortleefamilydental.com or call Fort Lee Family Dental at (201) 620-9772 for an appointment in our Fort Lee office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics in Fort Lee, NJ.

Recent Posts

5 Reasons Regular Dental Checkups Are Essential

A regular dental checkup is one of the most important aspects of a good oral healthcare routine. However, many people skip these appointments or go less frequently than they should. If you are in this situation, whether due to time constraints, financial concerns, a fear of the dentist, or any other reason, you should consider…

Dental Bridge: Improving The Health And Appearance Of Your Smile

A dental bridge is a popular tooth replacement option for those missing one or several teeth. Missing teeth can cause problems that go beyond the aesthetic. Therefore, patients should replace teeth promptly to preserve the health and appearance of their smile. Fortunately, a dental bridge is an effective and natural-looking way to do that.A dental…

Who Is A Good Candidate For Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a restorative treatment that fills the gap left by a missing tooth. These restorations feel similar to natural teeth and prevent additional oral health issues from arising due to gaps in the smile. Qualifying for dental bridges is also easy. Most patients find they qualify, and if they do not, they…

What Full Mouth Dental Implants Are

Full mouth dental implants are an option that many patients choose when they need to replace their missing teeth. Our smile is the first impression we have when meeting a new person. We all want that impression to be warm and welcoming. When our smile is somewhat imperfect, we tend to lack confidence and feel…

Recent Posts

Reasons Regular Dental Checkups Are Essential

5 Reasons Regular Dental Checkups Are Essential

A regular dental checkup is one of the most important aspects of a good oral healthcare routine. However, many people skip these appointments or go less frequently than they should. If you are in this situation, whether due to time constraints, financial concerns, a fear of the dentist, or any other reason, you should consider…

Dental Bridge: Improving The Health And Appearance Of Your Smile

Dental Bridge: Improving The Health And Appearance Of Your Smile

A dental bridge is a popular tooth replacement option for those missing one or several teeth. Missing teeth can cause problems that go beyond the aesthetic. Therefore, patients should replace teeth promptly to preserve the health and appearance of their smile. Fortunately, a dental bridge is an effective and natural-looking way to do that.A dental…