3 Orthodontic Options for Correcting Bad Bites

Malocclusions (bad bites) may cause more than an appearance problem — with teeth and jaws not working together properly, you’re at higher risk for dental disease or accelerated tooth wear. Fortunately, most malocclusions can be corrected through orthodontics, a specialty for moving teeth to better functioning and more attractive positions.

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for a malocclusion, here are the basics on 3 of the most common orthodontic appliances used for straightening misaligned teeth.

Metal Braces. These appliances have a proven track record for correcting most forms of malocclusion. Braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the front teeth and an anchor band to the back teeth. A thin metal wire passes through the brackets to attach to the bands in the back. Gradually increased tension in the wire incrementally moves the teeth to the desired position.

Clear Bracket Braces. While metal braces do an effective job of tooth movement, they leave less to be desired in appearance. Made of polymer material rather than metal, clear bracket braces offer a more appealing look. But while they’re similar in construction to the metal version, they’re more susceptible to breakage. Wearers must be extra cautious and avoid hard foods or extreme physical sports contact.

Clear Aligners. The previous appliances are fixed and can’t be removed by the wearer. Invisalign Clear aligners take a different approach with removable plastic trays that fit snugly over the dental arch. A series of trays are computer generated to carefully match the patient’s mouth structure, each incrementally smaller than the previous one in the series. After wearing the first tray for two or three weeks, the wearer changes to the next (and slightly smaller) tray in the series, repeating the process until all the trays have been worn. Of the three options, the clear aligners offer the best appearance; however, they’re best suited for cases that don’t require complex movements.

We can advise you which option is best for you after a complete evaluation, factoring in age, lifestyle and the complexity of your malocclusion. Regardless of the choice, the aim is the same — achieving a healthier mouth, better function and a more attractive smile.

If you would like more information on orthodontic treatment, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Magic of Orthodontics.”

Technology for Teens with Clear Aligners

Braces have traditionally been seen as a “rite of passage” for teenagers, and while most teenagers learned to “em-brace” their orthodontics, in some situations, braces were less appealing. For example, like many people, you may have old prom and homecoming photos featuring beautiful dresses, tuxedos and a mouth full of metal braces.

Luckily, thanks to modern technology, your teen has more options than ever before, including clear aligners. Clear aligners use a system of clear, removable trays to gradually straighten teeth. Each individual aligner is slightly different than the previous one and made of a virtually invisible plastic that completely covers the teeth. When worn for 22 hours per day for a two-week period before moving on to the next aligner, teeth can be moved into the desired position. This movement can take anywhere from 6 to 24 months, and aligners can be taken out for eating, drinking and other short periods of time.

Technology is really at its finest when it comes to Invisalign clear aligners. They are computer-generated, based on photographs, models of your teen's teeth and x-rays. The models are sent to a laboratory where a computer creates a 3D image, and we manipulate each tooth on the screen into a new position until they are all properly aligned. Special software then simulates the movement of your teen's teeth and essentially creates the course of treatment. Finally, we create plastic aligners for each step of the movement.

Technology is also responsible for making clear aligners a better option for teenagers over the past few years. Originally, teens were not seen as good candidates for clear aligners because their second molars have not fully grown into position and also because it was assumed, since the aligners are removable, teenagers might not be as diligent about wearing the aligners as adults. Technology is responsible for a solution for both of these issues. Eruption tabs serve as space-holders for teeth that haven't grown in, and clear aligners for teens have compliance indicators built-in that fade with time as each aligner is worn.

When you bring your teenager into our office for an initial consultation, we'll evaluate whether clear aligners will be an appropriate solution for his orthodontic needs.

If you would like more information about clear aligners, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Clear Aligners for Teenagers.”

Actress Katherine Heigl Straightened Her Smile with Invisalign Clear Aligners

Many adults these days are opting for clear aligners to correct orthodontic problems that have long bothered them. Katherine Heigl is a perfect example. She had one tooth that was out of alignment, and wanted to have it fixed before her wedding day.

“I got them [clear aligners] because of this wonky tooth,” Heigl told In Style magazine not long ago. “It's awesome because every two weeks you switch to a new retainer. Pretty much the perfect way to describe Invisalign is Netflix for your teeth.”

That's actually a pretty good way to describe this highly user-friendly form of orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners are transparent, plastic oral appliances that are changed every two weeks so that your teeth can be moved a little bit at a time, according to a carefully staged sequence. Though they cover your teeth completely, clear aligners are barely noticeable.

In fact, when Heigl excused herself before taking out her aligners to eat, her In Style interviewer said, “Who knew you wore them? I guess that's the point of Invisalign.”

Being able to remove the aligners for eating and, more importantly, teeth-cleaning, is another major advantage of this method of straightening teeth. Successful orthodontic treatment for adults depends on good periodontal health (“peri” – around; “odont” – tooth), and the best way to keep your gums and the underlying bone that supports your teeth healthy is to keep up an effective daily oral hygiene routine.

Clear aligners have been improved in recent years to correct more complicated malocclusions (“mal” – bad; “occlusion” – bite) than previously; they can even work well for teenagers. But there are still some cases that call for traditional braces. We would be happy to explore all the different options for orthodontic treatment with you, whether you have crowded teeth, an overbite or underbite, or just one “wonky tooth.”

If you would like more information about clear aligners, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about clear aligners in general by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Clear Aligners For Teenagers.” Dear Doctor also has more on “Wedding Day Smiles.”