 Who
needs orthodontics, and when?
Studies show that millions of people
have oral health problems that could benefit from orthodontic
treatment. Without treatment, many of these people could
develop serious problems.
Although there is not a universal best age
to begin treatment, the British Orthodontic Society recommends
that every child see an orthodontist at an early age. However,
a visit at any age is advisable if a particular problem
has been noted by the parent, family dentist, or child's
doctor.
Orthodontic specialists can improve smiles
at any age, but there are benefits to early diagnosis.
Early examination enables the orthodontist to detect and
evaluate problems and determine the appropriate time to
treat them. After the initial evaluation, the orthodontist
may monitor facial growth and development by periodic checkups
while the permanent teeth erupt and the face and jaws continue
to grow.
Early intervention frequently makes the
completion of treatment at a later age easier and less time-consuming.
In some cases, early treatment achieves results that are
unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing.
(Many orthodontic problems can be corrected in adults as
well as children, so adults should not hesitate to consult
an orthodontist to discuss a problem.)
 What
are the most commonly treated orthodontic problems?
Crowding: Teeth may
be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and/or
the teeth are large. The bone and gums over the roots of
extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result
of severe crowding. Impacted teeth (teeth that should have
come in, but have not), poor biting relationships and undesirable
appearance may all result from crowding.
Overjet or protruding upper teeth: Upper
front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with
the lower front teeth are prone to injury, often indicate
a poor bite of the back teeth (molars), and may indicate
an unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper
teeth are associated with a lower jaw that is short in
proportion to the upper jaw. Thumb and finger sucking
habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisor
teeth.
Deep overbite: A deep overbite
or deep bite occurs when the lower incisor (front)
teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind
the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite
into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front
teeth, significant bone damage and discomfort can
occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive
wear of the incisor teeth.
Open bite: An open bite results when the upper and
lower incisor teeth do not touch when biting down. This open space
between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure
to be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and
rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and
may contribute to significant tooth wear.
Spacing: If teeth are missing or small, or the dental
arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The most common
complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.
Crossbite: The most common type of a crossbite is
when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward the tongue).
Crossbites of both back teeth and front teeth are commonly corrected
early due to biting and chewing difficulties.
Underbite or lower jaw protrusion : About 3 to 5
percent of the population has a lower jaw that is to some degree longer
than the upper jaw. This can cause the lower front teeth to protrude
ahead of the upper front teeth creating a crossbite. Careful monitoring
of jaw growth and tooth development is indicated for these patients
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