Advanced orthodontics treatment options for every mouth to restore healthy, functional, attractive smiles
Orthodontic treatments generally refer to appliances, systems, and techniques to straighten the teeth and correct malocclusion in its various forms. Malocclusion is essentially misalignment, and it is classified as a slight overbite, severe overbite, or underbite. As these terms suggest, “bite” refers to how the opposing teeth in the upper and lower jaws come together when a patient closes their mouth. If the upper teeth overlap, that’s an overbite. Lower teeth overlap? Yes, that’s an underbite.
At Abel, Phan & Associates in Sterling, Virginia, we are well equipped to diagnose and treat many forms of misalignment and bite problems. You do not need to go to a specialist in orthodontics, an orthodontist, to benefit from quality care, advanced diagnostics, and treatment options.
After an evaluation, Drs Anna Abel and Chuong Phan will recommend to patients’ orthodontic appliances that include the following:
- Fixed orthodontics (braces) – A metal wire is threaded through stainless steel brackets, then fixed or secured to the teeth. As the wires are adjusted by your dentist throughout treatment, teeth are repositioned into their proper places.
- Removable appliances – The best known of the transparent, removable aligner trays is Invisalign®. These and other types of aligners are designed to place pressure on the teeth consistently. As a series of aligners are worn throughout treatment, the teeth are shifted into their proper placements.
- Headgear – For patients with more extensive development needs that need correction, there are a variety of appliances that may be recommended. These options include high pull headgear to direct jaw growth and a facemask or facebow for underbites. These devices may be used in combination with braces. So, patients’ jaw growth is directed while their teeth are also guided into place.
- Retainers – As its name suggests, these appliances are designed to retain the positions of the teeth after orthodontic treatment. They aid in preventing relapse when the treated teeth shift back out of alignment.
Still, other interventions include using myofunctional appliances and exercises to prevent the need for orthodontic treatment later in life among young children. These pediatric patients may have behaviors and habits that threaten the healthy positioning of their teeth and jaws, for instance, forceful thumb-sucking. As you can see, there are myriad ways to support a lifetime of health, wellbeing, and attractive smiles with orthodontics. Call us at (571) 450-9848 to schedule an evaluation at our practice in Sterling.
Dr. Anna Abel
Dr. Chuong Phan