Common Problems

 

Orthodontic Treatment in Deerfield & Arlington Heights

At Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics, we're proud to help patients throughout Arlington Heights, Deerfield, and the surrounding areas achieve beautiful new smiles through quality orthodontic treatment. Our orthodontists and highly-trained team of orthodontic specialists work closely with each patient, designing personalized treatment plans to fit into even the busiest of lifestyles. We're proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatment options ranging from metal braces to ClearCorrect clear aligners, allowing us to treat all of the most common orthodontic problems. 

Common Orthodontic Problems

A lucky few of us are born with perfect teeth and jaws, but for most people, orthodontic problems will develop at some point during life. These orthodontic problems occur when the teeth or the jaws don't fit together properly, causing a mismatch that can affect jaw health and dental health alike. If untreated, these orthodontic conditions - called malocclusions - can cause a range of problems ranging from increased dental decay to severe TMJ (jaw pain). Thankfully, we can treat virtually any malocclusion with comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Here are a few of the most common:

Underbite

Underbite occurs when the lower jaw extends out beyond the upper jaw, making the upper front teeth sit inside the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. 

Crossbite

Crossbite is characterized by a mismatch in the lateral alignment of the jaws, causing the lower teeth to sit outside of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed, especially towards the back of the mouth. Most sufferers of crossbite need to move the lower jaw forward or to the side when closing the mouth, and without treatment, it can cause uneven tooth wear as well as facial asymmetry. 

Upper Front Teeth Protrusion

This malocclusion is characterized by upper front teeth that jut forward at an angle, leaving the upper front teeth too far forward when the mouth is closed. Protrusion can put these teeth at increased risk for damage or trauma, so we'll often treat this malocclusion with early orthodontic treatment. 

Overbite

The opposite of underbite, this occurs when the lower jaw sits too far behind the upper jaw. In severe cases, overbite may even cause the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth. 

Crowding

Crowding is the most common reason for braces, and it occurs when teeth don't have enough room to erupt from the gums. This causes the teeth to grow in crooked and misaligned, causing an increased risk of periodontal and dental disease because misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean. 

Spacing

The opposite of crowding, spacing issues occur when there's too much room in the dental arch. This results in gaps forming between the teeth, which may be either a functional issue or purely cosmetic.

Openbite

Openbite is marked by upper and lower front teeth that protrude outward at an angle, causing a gap between them when the mouth is closed. Openbite can impair speech and bite function and is often caused by parafunctional habits early in life like prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. 

Mismatched Dental Midlines 

Similar to crossbite, this problem occurs when the teeth at the back of the mouth fail to fit together correctly. Without treatment, this malocclusion can cause problems with the development of the jaw. 
 

Contact Your Arlington Heights, IL Orthodontists

All of these malocclusions are highly common, but thankfully, they're all easily treatable through orthodontic treatments like braces and ClearCorrect. If you'd like to learn more about orthodontic malocclusions or think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, we'd love to help. Contact us today to learn more about our treatments and to schedule your consultation for a gorgeous new smile!