Richardson Orthodontics

A Class III bite, also known as an underbite, occurs when your lower first molar is positioned closer to the front of your mouth. Your lower jaw, or mandible, also protrudes forward.

A crossbite, which occurs when the teeth are tilted slightly either toward the cheek or the tongue, is not nearly as common as an overbite. However, much like an overbite, a treatment program including braces and a retainer can correct a crossbite.

The true beauty of braces is that it’s virtually never too late to take steps to correct your smile. Rest assured that we’re always happy to walk you through the procedure and give you a better idea of how long it might take to get the results you want.

Food can be really pesky to people wearing braces, even some foods that you would imagine wouldn’t be a problem. Even though pasta is soft, the stringy pastas like spaghetti and angel hair can get caught between then braces. You can still enjoy your pasta, just be sure to cut it into small pieces before chewing.

Many patients ask which toothbrush is best - manual or electric? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush is the one that you will use. While both manual and electric have their pros and cons, it is more important that you choose a comfortable toothbrush that you will use for at least two minutes twice a day.

Are braces painful? In some cases, it can take a little while adjusting to braces. However, your orthodontist can give you dental wax that can be applied on the inside of your cheeks and lips so that the braces don’t irritate your cheeks and gums. Over time, your mouth will adjust to the braces and you may even forget they are on your teeth.

It can be a real bummer that you or someone in your family isn’t able to eat certain types of food because of his or her braces. Among the worst feelings is seeing someone else eat a food that is off limits because of the mouth gear, so hold strong as a family and try to avoid foods that your braces-wearing family can’t eat.

One of the most common bite irregularities is called a crossbite. In this case, the upper teeth are either inside or outside of the lower teeth. If a crossbite is not corrected, a child's jaw will shift to one side as it grows.

One condition that braces help to correct is overcrowding of the teeth. Overcrowding is most often a concern, because teeth that are too close together can be difficult to brush and floss properly, and thus are more vulnerable to tooth decay.

The orthodontic process continues after your braces are taken off. Maintaining the work that was done is extremely important. Most people must wear a retainer. Some people may only have to wear it at night, whereas others may have to wear the retainer both during the day and while sleeping.

When should I take my child in for his or her first orthodontic checkup? Many pediatric dentists will handle this session, which should take place by the time your child is seven years old, according to the American Academy of Orthodontists.

Between 400 and 500 B.C., Hippocrates and Aristotle discussed ways to straighten teeth and fix various dental conditions. However, they never came up with a viable solution.

The metal braces of today are often made with stainless steel. The wires are sometimes mixed with nickel titanium or copper titanium, a technology that was actually developed by NASA, which is how they are not magnetic.

Do you know what all makes up your bite? A bite can include up to 32 teeth, your upper and lower jaws, gums and facial muscles.

There is very little evidence to support the fact that wisdom teeth automatically cause crowding. In fact, people who never develop wisdom teeth or who have had their wisdom teeth removed may still see their teeth get crooked over time.

One may think that tighter brace adjustments will move the teeth faster. While a certain pressure is necessary to move teeth, a force level that is too high may start to damage the bone and surrounding tissues and actually delay the tooth movement.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have their first orthodontic exam by the age of 7. That’s because most children begin to get their first permanent teeth between 6 and 7 years of age. The AAO says early orthodontic care can often reduce the amount of care needed when the patient is a teenager.

Orthodontics as a dental specialty didn’t begin until about the 1930s, but scientists say there is evidence that some Egyptians were buried with crude braces on their teeth, meaning the attempt to correct the alignment and appearance of teeth dates back at least to 1000 B .C.

When you’re in a profession that forces you to constantly interact with potential new customers, you can’t afford to feel self-conscious about your teeth when talking or smiling. Let’s talk about how braces could help you advance in your career.

Mummies dating back to the time of Jesus Christ have been discovered with metal and wires on their teeth that are thought to be among the first set of braces in the world.

Did you know orthodontists can also help with your child’s speech issues? An orthodontist can check to see his or her bite is impacting the child’s speech.

Age also determines how long your orthodontic treatment will take. For example, it usually takes an eight-year-old's jaw three to six months to stretch, whereas it usually takes a 12-year-old two to two and a half years for his/her teeth to move around.

The transpalatal bar is a dental appliance that is placed in the upper or lower arches so as to maintain mouth space. A transitional dentition device, a transpalatal bar is most often used to hold arch space before permanent teeth erupt.

Did you know that orthodontic treatment in childhood will help to guide facial growth for a more attractive profile? Braces can also guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions to support the long-term health of teeth and gums.

Do you feel like your crooked teeth or extreme overbite may be why you haven’t had success in your career field? Let’s talk about how what kind of aesthetic changes you may be able to make to your mouth with braces.

How exactly do braces work? It's the wires that actually move the teeth. Arch wires are adjusted periodically to help guide teeth and jaws into ideal positions. The brackets act as handles to hold the wires in place.

Do you remember why you needed braces? Most kids need braces to correct issues with crowded teeth that are crooked or protrude.

How do braces work? Whether the problem is an overbite, cross-bite or something else, braces are designed to either move teeth to a desired location or to keep teeth from moving so that missing tooth can drop down in place.

I don’t want braces because I will be teased about my new look. Experts say so many kids wear braces that teasing is often not an issue. In addition, invisible braces or braces installed on the inside of teeth – lingual braces – are popular options.

If you’ve always prided yourself on well you care for your teeth and gums, getting a negative report at your last cleaning could leave you wondering what went wrong. Remember, having teeth too close together could thwart even the most diligent flosser’s efforts.

Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances made up of sets of wires and brackets that are cemented to the teeth. Usually over the course of 24 to 28 months, the wires are tightened and adjust to gently apply force to move the teeth.