Straighten Your Teeth
Orthodontics, also referred to as orthodontia, is a form of dentistry that addresses misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Teeth which are improperly aligned or crowded make it more difficult to keep teeth clean, increasing your risk or tooth decay, tooth loss, or periodontal diseases. A jaw which is misaligned can cause stress on the muscles used to chew and speak, often leading to chronic headaches, TMJ, or neck and shoulder pain.
Since your smile is one of the most memorable things about your appearance, malocclusion of the teeth can also have a negative impact on your self-esteem. We have seen quite a few patients over the years become more self-confident, more radiant and more willing to show off their smile in social situations after having straightened their teeth with braces.
The dentists at Hillock Family Dental are dedicated to helping you and your family have healthy smiles with perfectly aligned teeth.
Who Needs Orthodontics?
An examination of teeth and jaw will reveal whether you or your child should have braces or other orthodontic treatments. Based on our findings, we can craft a custom treatment plan to resolve misaligned teeth, overbite, underbite, gaps, or other problems.
Why Does it Matter?
You may have heard your dentist talk about gum disease, but how does it affect your health? Gum disease is an infection in the tissue of your gums. As in the early stages, it does not present symptoms, and many people do not realize they are developing gum disease, but this condition is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
What Type of Orthodontic Treatment is Needed?
Orthodontia can correct a wide range of issues with the teeth and jaw including:
- Overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Misalignment of the jaws can include the top or bottom jaw being too far forward, or misaligned side to side, leading to pain and discomfort, headaches, or pose a risk of gum disease and cavities if not treated.
- Issues with your midline. If the center line of your teeth does not align from top to bottom, this problem can be corrected so your teeth are aligned.
- Spacing of teeth. Spaces or gaps between the teeth can be resolved with various type of braces, from metal to clear plastic.
- Crowded teeth. If your teeth are too close together, a treatment plan can be developed to resolve the condition completely.
Through a combination of fixed or removable orthodontic treatments, misalignments can be corrected, and muscles retrained to hold your jaw in the proper position. These orthodontic treatments are customized to suit the patient, putting gentle pressure on the teeth or the jaws in order to move them into the proper position.
How to Maintain Ideal Gum Health
Luckily, gum disease can be prevented with proper brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings. Be sure to floss your teeth at least once each day, and brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes using short, gentle strokes and holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!
Adult Orthodontics
More and more adults today are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile. Often times, because adults usually are more compliant in their orthodontic treatment, their results turn out far greater than with a child and or a teen.
LEARN MOREClear Braces
Translucent 'clear' braces and tooth colored ceramic brackets provide a very aesthetic alternative to traditional metal braces.
LEARN MOREConventional Braces
When it come to braces conventional braces are no longer the only choice. We offer a variety of choices when it comes to straightening your teeth with braces.
LEARN MOREClosing Gaps
If your teeth (or your child’s) have gaps, this can be resolved with a special treatment performed by our family orthodontist.
LEARN MOREMisaligned Bite
Misaligned bites are often inherited traits. Other causes of misaligned bites are early loss of baby or adult teeth; improper fit of dental restorations; undue pressure on the teeth and gums; misalignment of the jaw after an injury; tumors of the mouth or jaw; or common oral health problems in children such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond the age of three, or prolonged use of a bottle.
LEARN MOREOpen Bite
Anterior open bite refer to a condition in which the top and bottom front teeth are not in contact (they do not touch each other when the patient bites).
LEARN MOREOver Bite
An overbite is when the upper teeth extend too far over the lower teeth. This condition can lead to other oral and dental problems and should be treated as early as possible.
LEARN MOREPosterior Cross Bite
A posterior cross bite can appear at an early age, and depending on its cause (mal-positioned teeth or misaligned jaws) treatment may be warranted early.
LEARN MOREUnder Bite
An underbite is a condition in which the bottom teeth extend beyond the upper teeth – a specific type of misalignment.
LEARN MOREPalate Expander
A palatal expander is an appliance placed in the roof of the mouth to widen the upper dental arch, which allows the arch to be painlessly separated and spread.
LEARN MORESpace Maintainer
A space maintainer is a removable or fixed appliance designed to maintain an existing space. They are usually fitted to children when they have lost baby teeth early.
LEARN MORESix Month Smiles
When you look in the mirror and smile, are you happy with what you see? Do you think your smile looks bright and attractive?
LEARN MORELimited Orthodontics
Limited orthodontic treatment does not target the back teeth and often involves only one or a few front teeth that are crooked or twisted. The goal is frequently limited to improving the patient’s smile, although it is also used to correct a developing problem. This can often be the case with children or adolescents.
LEARN MOREComprehensive Orthodontics
A constant barrage of images from television, films, advertising, magazines, social media and more gives the impression that dental perfection is the rule, not the exception.
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