Originally from Northern California, Dr. Cheryl L. Held earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of California at Davis, where she graduatedin 1992 with high honors. While in school, she was invited to become a member of several honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.
After working for two years, Dr. Held decided to continue her education by attending the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where she received her Doctorof Dental Surgeryin 1997.
Upon graduation from dental school, she began her orthodontic residency at the Saint Louis University Department of Orthodontics, which transitioned into the SLUCenter for Advanced Dental Education. At CADE, she earned her Master of Sciencein orthodontics, and graduatedin 1999.
After associating for a short time with two orthodontists in Columbia, MO, Dr. Held decided to return to the St. Louis area and began practicing in South County in November2000, while planning for theopening of WingHaven Orthodontics in OFallon, MO.
In 2001, she moved to the WingHaven community and had the privilege of publishing an abbreviated version of her masters thesis as a journal article in the May issue of the prestigious American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. In February2004, after much anticipation, WingHaven Orthodontics opened its doors.
Dr. Held loves helping children. In addition to her formal educational background, she gained firsthand experience working with children ages seven to 17 overten consecutive summers at The Harker School Summer Camp in California. During that time, she worked as a coach during the day and a houseparent in the dormitory at night.
During her free time, Dr. Held loves to spend time with her husband:watching movies, following Cardinals baseball, participating in community events, playing games, flying kites,and relaxing. She also enjoys singing, exercising, music, and collecting spoons. And, when she gets the chance, she loves to visit her family in California.
Class II problems represent an abnormal bite relationship in which the upper jaw and teeth are located in front of the lower jaw and teeth. Class II patients usually exhibit a convex facial profile with a recessed chin. In most cases, this relationship is due to inherited characteristics.
A skeletal Class II problem occurs when the upper back molars are forward of the lower back molars. This gives the patient the appearance of having a recessed lower jaw, a protruding upper jaw, or both.
Class III problems are also primarily genetic in origin. In this instance, the lower jaw and teeth are positioned in front of the upper jaw and teeth. The lower jaw may appear to be excessively large, but in many cases the lack of upper jaw development is at fault. Several treatment options are available to correct a Class III problem.
A posterior crossbite (of the back teeth) will usually result from a narrow upper jaw or abnormally wide lower jaw. A narrow upper jaw will often force a patient to move the lower jaw forward or to the side in order tocloseinto a stable bite. When closed into this position, the lower teeth are located outside the upper teeth.
It is critical to correct crossbites as soon as possible, in order to avoid worn or chipped teeth, or irreversible unhealthy facial growth that may require jaw surgery to correct. Two-phase treatment is ideal to address crossbites early, andavoid major issues later.
Crowding of the teeth is probably the most common orthodontic problem. Although many factors contribute to dental crowding, this problem typically stems from a discrepancy between the space in each jaw and the size of the teeth.
Crowding is often one of several orthodontic problems. Crowding can be the cause or result of other problems, such as impacted teeth, retained teeth, or teeth that do not fall out naturally. Crossbite of the front or rear teeth can also causeteeth to become crowded.
A deep bite is excessive vertical overlapping of the front teeth and is generally found in association with a discrepancy between the length of the upper and lower jaws. It usually results in excessive eruption of the upper or lower incisors, or both. The lower front teeth often bite into the roof of the mouth.
Also known as a gummy smile, this orthodontic problem gives the appearance of excessive exposed gums on the upper arch. There are several treatment options. It may simply requirelifting the upper front teeth using braces to help reduce the excessive gum display.
An anterior open bite involves alack of vertical overlap of the front teeth and can usually be traced to jaw disharmony or habits such as thumb-sucking or the thrusting of the tongue against the front teeth.
Overjet is the horizontal distance between the back surfaces of the upper front teeth and the front surfaces of the lower front teeth. If the overjet is excessive, the upper front teeth appear to protrude ahead of the lower lip.
Pseudo Class III, particularly in younger patients, is a function of habit rather than hereditary factors. A misaligned bite may cause the lower teeth to bite forward of the upper teeth, giving the appearance of a Class III. Two-phase treatment is imperative to prevent abnormal growth of both the upper and lower jaws.
