People often assume that orthodontic treatment is reserved for teenagers. However, early orthodontic treatment (called interceptive orthodontics) can help children between the ages of 7 and 11 with developing orthodontic issues. In this article, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about orthodontic treatment for children. What Does Orthodontic Treatment Do? A main goal of orthodontic treatment focuses on creating a healthy and normal bite. A healthy bite is when the upper and lower teeth fit together as intended. Contrary to what many people think, orthodontic treatment involves much more than simply “straightening teeth”—although this is a component…
Straight Teeth Provide More Than A Beautiful Smile At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we pride ourselves on shaping beautiful smiles. However, the benefits of straight teeth are much more than just cosmetic. There are also significant health and social benefits related to straight teeth and an attractive smile. In this article, we will examine the health benefits related to straight teeth. We will also discuss some of the issues that straight teeth can address or alleviate. We will look at some of the social benefits of straight teeth. Finally, we will discuss the financial benefit of addressing orthodontic issues earlier…
What Is An Overbite? Almost everyone has top teeth that slightly overlap their bottom teeth. However, when the overlap is significant or protrudes excessively over the bottom teeth, this is called an overbite. To be classified as an overbite, the upper teeth must protrude forward over the lower teeth by more than 3 millimeters. An overbite is a type of malocclusion, which is the medical term for the abnormal relationship of the upper and lower teeth. A malocclusion is just a fancy term for a bite problem. While orthodontists refer to overbite as excess vertical overlap of front teeth, lay…
What Is A Crossbite? A crossbite is a type of malocclusion (a fancy term that means the bite is out of alignment). Also known as a “bad bite” or “poor bite,” malocclusions are one of the problems that orthodontists like Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke receive special training to correct. A crossbite is a bite problem that occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not come together properly. There are two types of crossbites: Anterior crossbite: Upper front teeth set behind the lower front teeth Posterior crossbite: Upper back teeth set inside the lower back teeth An anterior crossbite…
How Damon Braces Differ From Traditional Braces When it comes to choosing braces, teens and children have more options than they did in the past. At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, patients can choose from a variety of braces options, including self-ligation braces (such as Damon braces and GC Experience braces), lingual braces, metal braces, and ceramic braces (sometimes known as clear braces). In this article, we will look at how modern self-ligating braces differ from traditional braces. Many types of braces effectively straighten crooked teeth, close gaps, and correct bite issues (malocclusions), but there are some distinct advantages that make…
Since 1991, Burke & Redford Orthodontists has been providing orthodontic treatment to children, teens, and adults throughout Riverside County. In part one of this two-part article, we discussed how orthodontists treat different bite issues. In the second part of this article, we’ll look at other issues that can be treated by an orthodontist, including narrow jaws, crowded teeth, impacted teeth, the early loss of baby teeth, and unwanted oral habits. Narrow Jaws When a patient’s upper jaw is too narrow, it can lead to teeth crowding, excessive wear and tear, proportion problems, undesirable shifting of the jaw to one side…
Since 1991, Burke & Redford Orthodontists has been providing orthodontic treatment to children, teens, and adults throughout Riverside County. In this two-part article, we’ll look at some of the reasons why patients need orthodontic treatment. Part 1 focuses on bite issues. Overbites An overbite is when the top front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth. Also known as excess “overjet,” overbites are the most common type of bite problem. Orthodontists refer to these type of bites as “Class II malocclusions” and they can have skeletal causes (e.g., mismatch in jaw size), dental causes (e.g., teeth are tipped), or…
Pros and Cons of Braces and Invisalign Burke & Redford Orthodontists offers both Invisalign and braces for teenagers and children. Deciding which treatment, Invisalign vs braces, is best will depend on the specific orthodontic issues of the patient. Although both forms of treatment are effective, more complex cases will typically require braces. Another factor is the patient’s age and level of maturity. For older teens, Invisalign may be an ideal treatment option. However, a younger child may find it difficult to wear Invisalign aligners for the recommended duration or may easily misplace them. This article will discuss some of the…