Dr. Anna Talmood has been restoring smiles with orthodontics in Fullerton and the surrounding communities of La Habra, La Mirada, and Anaheim for over 20 years. Dr. Talmood excels in the treatment of teeth and jaw misalignment and malocclusion through the use of orthodontic methods, including traditional braces and clear orthodontic aligners.
Malocclusion is characterized by improper relation of teeth in the upper and lower jaws when your mouth is in a closed position. These alignment issues present themselves in a variety of ways, including:
Overbite: The reverse of an underbite is an overbite, in which upper arches of teeth extend past the lower jaw. Serious overbite can result in the lower teeth biting into the soft tissue behind upper teeth, leading to damage of the palate and discomfort.
Teeth crowding or spacing: Poor alignment may result if the dental arch is too small or if the teeth are too large. Instances of crowding can lead to other problems which impact function as well as the aesthetics of your smile such as impacted teeth and poor bite relationships.
The converse of tooth crowding is tooth spacing. If your teeth are too small, or you are missing teeth then spacing issues can occur which making chewing and speaking difficult and take a toll on a patients self-esteem due to the lack of uniformity in their smile.
Orthodontic dentistry offers techniques which will realign the teeth and revitalize the smile.There are several treatments the orthodontist may use, depending on the results of panoramic X-rays, study models (bite impressions), and a thorough visual examination.
Fixed dental braces can be used to expediently correct even the most severe case of misalignment. These braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets which are affixed to each tooth and an archwire which is used to gradually move the teeth through the duration of the treatment.
Removable appliances include headgear (which consists of a metal wire device attached to customized braces), retainers, Invisalign aligners (which are almost invisible to the naked eye), palate expanders and tooth movers. Faceguards are generally used to correct developmental delays in both the upper and lower jaw, and palate expanders are used to combat overcrowding.
Dr. Talmood offers a range of high grade orthodontic systems to correct a variety of issues such as those mentioned above plus a spate of other issues and secondary conditions which result from a poorly aligned bite.
Our Fullerton dental office offers patients options to resolve these issues such as clear aligners from Invisalign. This revolutionary system is one of the most advanced offerings available to modern dentistry, and can correct your dentition to proper alignment in as little as six months.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment often go beyond the obvious physical changes of an improved bite and straighter teeth; its also a great way to improve a persons overall self-image. While having beautiful straight teeth is important, even more important is the need to alleviate any potential health problems associated with the teeth or jaw. Crooked teeth or jaw problems may contribute to improper cleaning of teeth, leading to tooth decay and, possibly, gum disease or total tooth loss. Orthodontic problems that go untreated can lead to chewing and digestion difficulties, speech impairments, and abnormal wear of tooth surfaces. Over time, excessive strain on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth can affect the jaw joints leading to problems such as headaches or face and neck pain.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children get an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. Though orthodontic treatment can be done at any age, timely treatment ensures maximum dental health.
With all of the recent advancements in orthodontics, wearing braces has never been easier. State-of-the-art appliances and treatments are now available, from traditional metal braces, to clear and tooth colored brackets, to NASA type wires that are heat activated and require fewer adjustments! Some patients may even be candidates for treatment with Invisalign, a revolutionary way to straighten teeth using clear, retainer type aligners that require no braces or wires!
3. Retention Phase When treatment is completed, the braces and/or appliances are removed and a new appliance is made. Usually these retainers are removable and will maintain the changes made to your teeth if worn continuously until the teeth and bone are stabilized in their new positions.
One of the most commonly asked questions about dental braces is whether placing them causes any pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious. In most cases, there is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets, which may last for a few days.
There are two common types of fixed dental braces used to realign the teeth: ceramic fixed braces and metal fixed braces. Both types of fixed appliances include brackets which are affixed to each individual tooth and an archwire the orthodontist fits into the bracket slot to gently move the teeth into proper alignment. Elastic or wire ties will be applied to hold the wire in place. Some orthodontists may use self-ligating brackets which do not require a rubber or wire tie to secure the wire.
Fixed dental braces are used to treat a wide variety of malocclusions, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. If the orthodontist has determined that the malocclusion has been caused by overcrowding, it is possible that teeth may need to be extracted to increase the amount of available space to properly align the teeth.