Do you have problems with your bite? This could mean your teeth don’t meet up as they should, making it difficult to bite or chew foods. It could also mean you have teeth that need straightening to improve the appearance of your smile. These are orthodontic services. If you struggle with dental conditions like these, an orthodontic specialist at Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch can help.
What Is an Orthodontic Specialist?
An orthodontic specialist is a dentist who has had additional years of training in aligning the teeth and jaw. This is the dental specialist who fits your teen for braces or helps you find a solution for a misaligned bite. Most dental offices have access to an orthodontist, though you may need a referral through your insurance company to see one.
An orthodontist may not only fix issues with your smile, but he can alleviate pain caused by many dental problems, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misaligned jaws
- Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet
- Dental trauma or injury
If your smile needs improving, or if you regularly experience pain from teeth that have grown crooked or crowded, making an appointment with an orthodontic specialist is your best solution.
Common Orthodontic Problems in Children and Adults
Orthodontic problems are relatively common in both children and adults. For these reasons, most of us have seen or will need to see an orthodontist in our lifetimes. Common orthodontic issues include:
- Overbite: Upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth
- Underbite: Lower teeth protrude past upper teeth
- Open bite: Upper and lower teeth don’t meet in the front
- Crossbite: Upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth
- Absence of lateral incisors
- Gaps between teeth
Some of these conditions are merely aesthetic. This means they affect how we look and how we feel about our appearance. Others, however, may cause physical pain or more serious medical issues. For instance, an open bite makes it difficult to bite and chew foods. This may cause digestive disorders because the pieces of food swallowed are larger than they should be. An open bite may also affect your speech, making it difficult to form sounds such as the one made by the letter “S.” Similarly, gaps between teeth may contribute to an increase in cavities when food becomes stuck in the crevices between teeth.
Treatment for Orthodontic Problems
Braces or clear aligners can resolve many types of orthodontic problems. Other devices include mouth guards, retainers, elastics, and archwires. Generally, only your orthodontic specialist can recommend the right treatment for your condition. When you’re ready to learn more about your options for orthodontic treatment, reach out to a dental office nearby. In the Houston area, Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch is an excellent choice of Houston orthodontist.
Choose Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch as Your Houston Orthodontist
Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch treats patients of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. Additionally, our orthodontic services are available to everyone who struggles with issues such as teeth that need straightening or misaligned jaws. When you schedule an appointment with our clinicians, you’ll be pleased by our friendly and accessible staff. We’re here to book your appointment, answer your questions, and get you into your visit and back to your daily routine in a timely fashion. Additionally, our orthodontist will take time to talk with you and discuss your options for treatment. As a result, you’ll have a clear understanding of what will happen during and after your procedure.
When you’re ready to talk about ways to boost your smile power, call Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch at 713-244-7799 to schedule a consultation. Or, you can visit us online to learn more about the orthodontic services we offer to patients of most ages.
