Orthodontic FAQs

Selden Orthodontics is your one-stop-smile shop; as such, you deserve to have any and all questions you have answered. And there are a lot of questions out there! It makes sense to us, nothing is more important than your and your family’s health and happiness, and your smile is a big part of that! 

So, of course, you have questions! For instance, what even is an orthodontist? How is that different from a dentist? What kinds of issues do orthodontists treat? 

We’ve heard all that, and much more, so we asked Dr. Selden to put together some of his most frequently asked questions. Read on to learn more! 

 

Is my dentist able to take care of my orthodontic issues? 

While a general dentist may technically be capable of providing treatment, it’s essential to understand that orthodontists like Dr. Selden have undergone years of specialized training on top of dental school. Orthodontic programs are highly competitive, and the American Association of Orthodontists reports that only 1 in every 15 applicants is accepted. 

While your dentist understands your general oral health well, orthodontists like Dr. Selden have studied the growth and maturation of the teeth and jaw. They’ve developed refined diagnostic skills to predict issues associated with treatment and the most appropriate course of corrective care and have undergone extensive training in the development of facial features in childhood and adolescence. 

Don’t you want to leave your specialized care needs to a specialist?

 

What’s an overbite? How’s that treated?

In the case of an overbite, the upper front teeth overlap or cover part of the lower front teeth. This can lead to excessive wear and tear of the front teeth, especially the incisors (the two front teeth). Another concern with an overbite is the possibility of damage to the gum tissue leading to excessive gingival display or a gummy smile to the rest of us. 

Often, traditional or clear braces or even aligners such as Invisalign can correct the issues leading to an overbite. 

 

And what about an underbite?

Also known as an anterior crossbite, this is where the lower jaw sits out in front of the upper jaw. When uncorrected, underbites can lead to excessive stress and pressure on the joints of the maxillofacial region. That means tension headaches, tooth grinding, and temporomandibular disorders, or TMJ. 

Underbites typically require more aggressive treatment than would be the case for the more common mild overbites. In more serious cases of underbite, Dr. Selden may refer you to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon with whom they’ll work closely to reshape the jaw to develop a proper bite.

 

What’re a few other bite problems? How do you fix them? 

Following is a list of other common bite issues: 

• Crowding – One of the most common orthodontic issues, crowding can cause self-esteem issues due to a lack of confidence in your smile, but there are more functional concerns. Crowding can lead to difficulty maintaining proper dental hygiene. This can cause an increase in cavities and gum disease, such as gingivitis. 
• Spacing – The opposite of crowding, in spacing, as the name suggests, there is just too much space between teeth. All that extra space is ideal for the formation of harmful plaque and bacteria, so just like crowding, this can lead to issues of gum disease and other oral hazards that go along with difficulties maintaining proper dental hygiene. 
• Dental midline issues – Often due to early loss of baby teeth or missing permanents, dental midline issues result from your upper and lower incisors not aligning symmetrically. For a famous example of dental midline issues, check out early photos of the actor Tom Cruise. He had his dental midline issues addressed with braces when it was time for his children to see their orthodontist, and so can you! Not only can dental midline problems lead to self-confidence issues, but also they can lead to systemic orthodontic malocclusion if left untreated. 
• Crossbite – Refers to a misalignment of either the teeth, jaws or both, in which upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. This often becomes worse over time and can lead to issues with properly chewing food. The sooner this is detected, the better. That’s why it’s recommended that even in the case that you don’t notice any visible malocclusion in your child’s teeth, you take them in to see an orthodontic specialist like Dr. Selden by the time they’re seven years old, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. 

 

All of the following bite issues and more can and are corrected on a daily basis by skilled orthodontic experts such as Dr. Selden.

 

Do I have any alternatives to traditional metal braces? 

There has never been a better time to receive orthodontic treatment. While traditional braces are today lighter, more effective, and less conspicuous than ever, there are an increasingly growing array of alternatives to traditional braces that are often just as or even more effective. 

Ask Dr. Selden about Invisalign, ceramic (clear) braces, or lingual braces to learn more! 

 

Isn’t Invisalign just for mild cases? 

While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces are more appropriate to unlock your best possible smile, Invisalign is much more flexible than many think when treating moderate to complex cases. 

Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, surgery, corrections of bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign! 

I’ve been told I have a gummy smile – What’s that?

A gummy smile is one of those dental issues that doesn’t have one specific definition. Since it is mostly based on perception, you’ll likely know a gummy smile when you see it. Studies have even been conducted to determine what people consider excessive gingival display. In most cases, subjects rated smiles as more attractive when showing two millimeters or less of gum tissue. Any more than that, and a smile was labeled “too gummy.” 

 

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment? 

The fact is that dental malocclusion, overbites, jaw issues such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and other orthodontic issues have no expiration date. 

While there may be a societal preconception of braces as being for kids, that idea is starting to change – more than 25% of all new braces patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Orthodontists Have All The Answers! 

If you’ve got more questions about your orthodontic care, why not give us a call at  (704) 452-4199 to get in touch with our Charlotte or Huntersville locations, or just fill out this form, and we’ll get back to you asap!

We love our North Carolina patients and are always happy to answer any questions you might have. Better than that, we’re always ready to give you the smile of a lifetime! Let’s get started today!  

 

 

 

Posted by Dr. Selden