At Define Orthodontics, we are your one-stop-shop for dental health and cosmetic concerns related to crooked teeth and malocclusion or bite problems. When you need orthodontic care, our team is here to help you achieve a beautiful smile that you can feel confident about. Dr. Sodhi is your local orthodontist in Irving, TX. She has helped many patients and community members address their orthodontic concerns with our comprehensive menu of orthodontic services. If you have orthodontic concerns, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sodhi to determine which treatment option will best meet your needs. Get to know the different kinds of orthodontic concerns below.
Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth cause more than just cosmetic concerns. When your bite pattern is misaligned, this puts you more at risk for developing other dental concerns like tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, crooked teeth may lead to chronic jaw pain, also known as a TMJ disorder. The sooner you address crooked teeth, the better. As we get older, our teeth settle into their natural positions and become more difficult to convince to shift. We offer many different types of braces to help patients of all ages straighten their crooked teeth in our Irving, TX orthodontic practice.
Open Bite
Open bite is when a person’s teeth slant outward and do not make a connection when their mouth is closed. This makes talking and chewing more difficult, especially for young children who may struggle with speech development. Treating open bites promptly is encouraged to avoid future dental and developmental concerns. Our office provides custom-made orthodontic appliances to address myofunctional habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which usually lead to this issue. Our goal is to allow normal speech development to resume and the bite to correct itself as the permanent teeth grow in.
Under Bite
An under bite is when your lower jaw develops further outward than your upper jaw. This causes the bottom teeth to protrude outward, usually causing structural facial issues. Patients with under bites are more likely to develop tooth decay, TMJ disorders, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. Early intervention treatment can help resolve your child’s under bite before it begins to cause problems for them. Often, patients with under bites are treated with braces. Using rubber bands, or elastics, we are able to shift the jaw into a proper position. The elastics attach to the brackets and are removable for when you eat and conduct your oral hygiene routine.
Over Bite
Over bite occurs when the top teeth protrude or hang over the bottom teeth. They are usually the result of genetics causing improper jaw formation or myofunctional habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Over bites can usually be treated with braces, similar to under bites. Dr. Sodhi offers treatment for over bites by focusing on bettering the alignment of your jaw for a healthier, more stable smile.