Do you find yourself wondering if that gap between your teeth or your child’s crowded smile needs professional attention? Orthodontic issues affect millions of Californians, impacting not just appearance but also oral health and function. As your trusted North Hollywood orthodontist, 1st Choice Dental specializes in identifying and treating these common problems with personalized care and state-of-the-art technology.
Understanding Orthodontic Misalignments
An orthodontist in North Hollywood sees patients with various tooth alignment and jaw relationship issues daily. While each patient’s situation is unique, most fall into several common categories that respond well to treatment.
The Most Common Bite Problems We Treat
Malocclusion (improper bites) comes in many forms, each requiring a specific approach for correction. Here are the primary types we address at our practice:
- Overbite (Deep Bite): When upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth, it can cause wear on lower teeth, gum irritation, and even jaw pain. An overbite may develop from genetics, childhood habits like thumb-sucking, or missing lower teeth. Treatment often involves braces or aligners with specific mechanics to intrude front teeth.
- Underbite: Occurring when lower teeth extend beyond upper teeth, underbites can make chewing difficult and accelerate wear on affected teeth. This condition frequently has a genetic component related to jaw growth patterns. Depending on the severity, treatment may range from orthodontic appliances alone to a combination of orthodontics and surgery.
- Crossbite: This occurs when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. Left untreated, crossbites can lead to asymmetrical jaw growth, uneven tooth wear, and gum recession around affected teeth. Early intervention is particularly effective, which is why your North Hollywood dentist may recommend evaluation for children showing signs of crossbite.
- Open Bite: Characterized by front teeth that don’t overlap vertically, creating a gap even when back teeth are together. Often resulting from prolonged pacifier use, thumb-sucking, or tongue thrust habits, open bites can interfere with proper chewing and cause speech difficulties. Treatment typically addresses both the alignment issue and the underlying habit.
Spacing and Crowding Issues We Correct
Beyond bite relationships, the spacing between teeth presents another category of common concerns. Your orthodontist in North Hollywood regularly addresses these spacing problems:
- Overcrowding: When there’s insufficient space for teeth to align properly, resulting in rotation, overlap, or teeth sitting higher or lower than adjacent teeth. Crowding makes proper oral hygiene challenging, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Treatment often involves creating space through minor enamel reduction, expansion, or sometimes extraction before realignment.
- Gaps Between Teeth (Diastema): While some gaps may be considered attractive, unwanted spaces between teeth can trap food and affect appearance. Gaps may result from missing teeth, undersized teeth, oversized tissue attachments, or habits like tongue thrust. Closing these spaces requires careful biomechanics to ensure proper movement.
- Impacted Teeth: Teeth that cannot erupt properly into the dental arch, with wisdom teeth and upper canines being most commonly affected. When important for function or aesthetics, an orthodontist in North Hollywood can create pathways for these teeth to be guided into position through a combination of surgery and orthodontic traction.
- Midline Discrepancy: When the center lines between upper and lower front teeth don’t align, creating an asymmetrical appearance. Though sometimes purely cosmetic, significant discrepancies may indicate underlying skeletal asymmetry. Treatment is tailored based on the cause and severity of the misalignment.
The Modern Treatment Approaches at 1st Choice Dental
At 1st Choice Dental, we offer various treatment options customized to your specific orthodontic needs. Traditional braces remain highly effective for complex cases, while clear aligner therapy provides a nearly invisible alternative for many patients. For growing children, interceptive orthodontics with expanders or space maintainers can prevent minor issues from developing into more significant problems.
Why Treating Orthodontic Problems Matters
Beyond aesthetics, correcting orthodontic issues delivers significant health benefits. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing your risk of decay and gum disease. A balanced bite distributes chewing forces evenly, preventing excessive wear and reducing strain on your jaw joints. Many patients also experience improved speech, better chewing function, and even relief from chronic headaches after treatment.
Ready to Address Your Orthodontic Concerns?
Whether you’re dealing with crowding, spacing issues, or bite problems, the team at 1st Choice Dental has the expertise and technology to help. Schedule a consultation with our experienced orthodontist in North Hollywood today and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile that will serve you well for years to come. Your smile with thank you for it.
