Orthodontics Specialist

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the field of dentistry that’s concerned with the proper alignment of your teeth and jaw. The dental professionals at Cedarwood Pleasanton Dentistry have gone through extra years of training in order to provide their patients with top-of-the-line orthodontic care.

What sort of conditions does orthodontics treat?

Orthodontics fixes a number of conditions, including:

Spacing

This is when there is too much space between your teeth, either due to missing teeth or just the placement of your natural teeth.

Crowding

This is when there isn’t enough room in your mouth for all of your teeth.

Overbite

This is when your upper front teeth stick out too far forward over your lower teeth.

Underbite

This is when your lower teeth are too far forward with respect to your upper teeth.

Crossbite

This is when your upper teeth aren’t positioned slightly in front of your lower teeth when you bite.

Open bite

This is when your front and/or side teeth don’t touch when your back teeth are biting down.

Misplaced midline

This is when the center of your upper front teeth is out of alignment with the center of your lower front teeth.

What are my orthodontic options?

Cedarwood Pleasanton Dentistry offers a wide range of orthodontic appliances, including:

Invisalign®

These clear retainers offer an effective alternative to metal braces for patients looking to correct the alignment of their teeth. Depending on your current alignment, this can be accomplished in as little as 9 months.

Orthodontic retainers

A retainer is a removable device that you wear on your teeth to help your teeth, jawbone, and soft tissues settle into place after you’ve finished treatment with traditional braces. For patients who have already had traditional braces, retainers are a great way to ensure that your teeth stay properly aligned.

Sleep apnea oral appliance

This custom-fitted mouthguard is designed to comfortably push your lower jaw forward while you sleep, minimizing obstructions to your airway and maximizing airflow, which can do a great deal of help for people who suffer from sleep apnea or snoring. These retainers can also protect your mouth if you grind your teeth at night, thereby reducing symptoms of TMJ disorder.

Mandibular advancement devices

This device goes over your upper and lower teeth and helps to move your lower jaw forward.

Tongue-retaining devices

These are sometimes recommended for people with few or no teeth, and work to hold your tongue forward in your mouth.

Do I need orthodontic treatment?

Improperly aligned teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern, and can actually lead to a number of oral health issues.

Crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean, which leaves them more susceptible to developing decay and periodontal disease. A misaligned bite, on the other hand, puts extra stress on your chewing muscles, which can cause headaches, neck, shoulder, and back pain, and TMJ syndrome.

To learn more about how the experts at Cedarwood Pleasanton Dentistry can improve your appearance and oral health with orthodontic treatments, book an appointment today by calling the office or using the convenient online scheduling tool.