Orthodontic Treatments in Lethbridge: Common Treatments We Provide
Downtown Orthodontics treats a variety of dental issues. The most common cases we manage with orthodontic treatment at our Lethbridge office include:
Crowding
This is possibly the most obvious orthodontic difficulty. In many cases, the amount of space required for the teeth to be aligned properly does not exist within the framework of the patient's jaws, and tooth alignment problems result.
Spacing
Spacing is a less common difficulty, where the jaws appear to have more space than the teeth require, so gaps form between the teeth. These gaps occur most commonly in the front teeth.
Increased Overbite
This is where the upper front teeth bite too far past the lower front teeth. Normally, the upper front teeth cover approximately 20% of the lower front teeth. The percentage of the lower front teeth covered can be 100%, and the lower front teeth can actually bite into the roof of the mouth behind the upper front teeth.
Increased Overjet
This is where the upper front teeth can appear to protrude excessively beyond the lower front teeth. This is a somewhat deceiving problem, because several orthodontic conditions can create a similar appearance of protruding upper front teeth.
Open Bite
This bite difficulty occurs when the back teeth are together, but the front teeth do not overlap correctly. This problem can have a significant impact on proper chewing.
Negative Overjet
This refers to a bite type where the lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth. It is an uncommon problem that can be a sign of a significant bite difficulty in the molar teeth, or a growth imbalance between the upper and lower jaws.
Deep bites
This problem is easiest to see in the front teeth, where the upper incisors can completely cover the lower incisors. This type of bite can lead to excessive enamel wear on the lower front teeth, and can also cause damage to the gums behind the upper front teeth.
Missing Teeth
Occasionally, permanent teeth may fail to form. In these cases, the remaining teeth may require orthodontic repositioning to allow for the placement of permanent artificial teeth following the braces.
Cross-Bites
Normally, all of the upper teeth bite to the outside, or cheek/lip side of the lower teeth. A crossbite occurs when a lower tooth bites outside the opposing upper tooth.
For more information about our common treatments, please give us a call.
