overjet

AN EDGE TO EDGE BITE WITH zero overjet and zero overbite will lead to excessive tooth wear. Left untreated for many years, this continual process of front teeth meeting and grinding unnaturally will lead to excessive tooth abrasion or early wearing down of your teeth. This will produce short teeth and may even lead to tooth sensitivity.

Orthodontic Treatment Can Create An Ideal Bite

Orthodontic treatment will correct this problem by creating ideal tooth horizontal overlap "overjet" and ideal tooth vertical overlap "overbite." Once this is done, your worn teeth can be cosmetically restored to their original length. This smile makeover will give you the youthful teeth and look which you once had.

Temporary Restorations Help Prep For Final Treatment

After orthodontic treatment, temporary restorations will be made for you to adjust to before you receive your final crowns and permanent tooth build up.

Your orthodontist will need to move the teeth that were worn to ideal tooth and gum position. Your general dentist will then be able to build up these teeth to ideal height and length making them look good as new.

Your orthodontist and general dentist may also recommend a night guard to prevent tooth wear from nocturnal bruxism. Bruxism is the clenching and grinding of teeth throughout the sleep cycle that almost every person occasionally experiences. This will keep you from experiencing further tooth wear in the future.

If You Have Any Questions, Let Us Know!

If you have questions about worn or short teeth, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California (925) 757-9000. Dr. Gorczyca works closely with the many fine dentists of East Contra Costa County and beyond to restore teeth to their ideal position and give you a beautiful smile.

Eliminate your edge to edge bite today with orthodontic treatment and a smile makeover. Get back your dental health and your beautiful smile.

WE DON’T think much in our daily lives about being a walking, talking human skeleton. When our orthodontist shows us our lateral cephalogram radiograph for the very first time, it can be quite surprising to see our actual skull and skeleton.

The lateral cephalogram is analyzed by orthodontists for the diagnosis of facial soft tissues influenced by the underlying jaw bone and teeth. Using this analysis, orthodontists produce the beautiful profiles and deliver desires facial esthetics.

Lateral Cephalograms Help Find Certain Bite Issues

When there is a big overjet, overbite, or underbite of the teeth, the lateral cephalometric analysis helps the orthodontist determine which jaw or teeth are responsible for the situation. The analysis of this X-ray can help determine what type of treatment is necessary and whether or not jaw surgery or extractions are needed.

The lateral cephalogram allows the orthodontist to evaluate front tooth position in bone. This helps decide final tooth position for the most stable, beautiful, and functional result. In addition, this analysis indicates whether or not teeth need to be extracted for ideal periodontal health.

The lateral cephalometric analysis gives the orthodontist information about vertical face height and lower jaw angle. This helps decide what treatment mechanics to use to keep the bite functional, beautiful, and closed.

The Lateral Cephalogram Is Critical For Ortho Evaluation

The lateral cephalogram and it's analysis is critical for a thorough orthodontic evaluation. Ask your orthodontist to see your lateral cephalogram radiograph and explain your analysis. Your life may never be the same after the day you realize you are a walking, talking skeleton.

This blog was written by Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, California www.clubbraces.com (925) 757-9000. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

WHAT IF SOMEONE HAD done short-term ortho on Jackie O?

The result would have been hideous. An obvious Class II Division 2 skeletal malocclusion, if a dental care provider had straightened Jackie O's tipped in and crowded upper front teeth without surgery or extractions she would have ended up looking like Bart Simpson.

This is something a real orthodontist would never do. Yet, primary providers, uneducated in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, offer short term orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign to skeletal Class II patients without correcting the underlying skeletal problem.

Short-term Orthodontic Treatment May Reveal Other Issues

Straightening of severely tipped and crowded upper front teeth in a Class II Division 2 bite actually unmasks the horizontal jaw discrepancy giving these patients a new appearance of "buck teeth" following short-term ortho.

If left without moving the lower jaw forward or upper tooth extraction, non-correction of the underlying skeletal problem leads to many new problems including:

• Poor facial appearance
• Lip incompetence, open lips
• Lip biting
• Speech problems
• Front tooth display at rest
• Increased risk of front tooth trauma
• Lower tooth overeruption
• Upper palate biting
• Impinging deep bite
• Poor bite
• Excessive tooth wear

Correcting Short-term Ortho Mistakes Can Be Costly

Once the severe overjet and overbite is worsened by short term ortho, most patients seek orthodontic correction with an orthodontist. Unfortunately, many of these patients have already paid $4,500 to a provider of short term ortho. Now, a real orthodontist must tell the patient that their orthodontic treatment must be redone correctly for an additional cost of $7,000. This is a very unfortunate and uncomfortable situation.

Patients are being hurt physically, emotionally, and financially by not getting initial diagnosis and treatment by an orthodontist. Once this happens, trust in the primary provider of short-term ortho is gone forever.

Don't be one of these unfortunate patients. Do your research and get information about orthodontists and orthodontic treatment.

If You Have Questions, Contact An Orthodontist

If you have questions regarding short-term orthodontic treatment, seek orthodontic care with a real orthodontist, a dentist who has completed an additional two or three years of full time residency and has had intensive training to become an expert in orthodontics. Find an orthodontist by choosing a member of the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

The Class II Division 2 smile can be spotted by an orthodontist or maxillofacial oral surgeon from the nose bleed section of the audience. It requires a mandibular advancement surgery or upper tooth extraction for a beautiful and ideal result.

Here are some facts regarding mandibular advancement surgery in the year 2016:

• Can be completed in as little as 13 months
• Wiring shut is not required
• Cost usually covered by medical insurance
• Over night hospital stay usually not needed
• Done within the mouth
• No permanent bruising or scaring
• Increases the airway
• Lessens snoring
• Reduces sleep apnea

If you have questions regarding mandibular advancement jaw surgery, contact an oral surgeon, an expert in face, mouth and jaw surgery. You can find an oral surgeon at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at www.aaoms.org.

If you have a Class II Division 2 bite like Jackie O, fix it correctly or do nothing at all.

Thanks for the smiles, Jackie O.

SOMETIMES FOR THE MOST gorgeous and healthy smile possible, orthodontic tooth extractions are necessary.

5 Situations When Tooth Extraction is Best

Here are a few situations when it would be best to extract teeth with your orthodontic treatment:

1. Teeth are severely crowded with 10mm and the bone and periodontal soft tissue cannot accommodate expansion.
2. There is a severe open bite which can be reduced and corrected by tooth extraction.
3. The lips are severely protrusive or open at rest.
4. The chin has strain at rest when the lips close, giving it a "golf ball" appearance.
5. There is a severe overjet with upper teeth extremely protrusive.

Extractions are less common in young patients who are still growing and are able to have arch expansion and growth modification.

Tooth Extraction Can Be A Simple Process

Tooth extraction is usually done by an oral surgeon. Depending on their training and experience, some general dentists may also extract permanent teeth.

The extraction of bicuspids and other teeth (not including wisdom teeth) is usually simple. It is usually done quickly. With anesthesia, there is usually no discomfort. Once home, be sure to eat soft food and avoid using a straw immediately following the procedure. There is no need to miss school following the procedure.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we try to minimize tooth extraction as much as possible. To find out if tooth extraction is absolutely necessary for you, visit us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000. To find an orthodontist in your area, visit the America Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org. To find an oral surgeon in your area visit the American Association of Oral Surgeons at www.aaos.org.

Thank you for trusting us with your orthodontic care. Here's to your beautiful smile.

Top image by Flickr user Andres Rodriguez used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

SEVEN IS THE PERFECT AGE for a child’s first orthodontic examination. Screening at age seven assures that your child’s smile will be healthy and look it’s best for the longest time possible.

Early Detection Can Help Long-term Orthodontic Health

Orthodontic treatment at age seven can minimize the need for more extensive procedures such as extraction of permanent teeth in the future. Straight teeth at age seven will also help with your child's self-esteem— a fragile asset that’s so important when growing up.

What to Expect at the Seven Year Orthodontic Exam

At the seven year orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will evaluate:
1. Overjet and facial profile
2. Overbite and jaw function
3. Underbite and tooth wear
4. Openbite, breathing, and oral habits
5. Crowding, spacing, rotations and tooth alignment
6. Symmmetry and facial balance
7. Crossbite and functional shifts

Be sure to seek early treatment if your child has:
1. Snoring or mouth breathing
2. Difficulty chewing, cheek biting, or jaw shifting
3. Thumb sucking, lip biting, or finger habits
4. Crowding or missing teeth
5. Speech problems
6. Grinding or excessive tooth wear
7. Crooked, spaced, or crowded teeth

This case was treated by Board Certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925)757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Give your child a great smile. For your child's first orthodonic exam, seven is the magic number.

Top image by Flickr user Sebastien Wiertz used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

IN CASES WHERE LOWER TEETH are spaced more than upper teeth, closing these spaces by orthodontic treatment will greatly improve your bite. In abnormal edge to edge bites, where there is no overjet or overbite, teeth experience rapid and excessive tooth wear as well as periodontal damage. This can be prevented by orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.

Diabetes affects periodontal health and can cause teeth to space and gums to recede. If you have dental spacing or gum recession and an abnormal bite due to diabetes, Invisalign can help.

Invisalign Treatment May Be The Ideal Option For You

Invisalign treatment is a series of clear custom trays which move teeth to a new, more ideal position. Invisalign aligners are comfortable and effective at closing mild to moderate spaces between your teeth.

If you would like to close dental spaces between your teeth, find out if Invisalign is right for you. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic consultation and a referral to a periodontist if necessary.

Don’t let dental spacing keep you from smiling. Start your Invisalign treatment today.

A GORGEOUS SMILE IS more than six straight front teeth. A beautiful smile includes facial balance, an esthetic profile, ideal lip posture, and straight front teeth that contact.

The most common orthodontic complaint, teeth that stick-out “overjet” in the horizontal direction, requires careful orthodontic analysis.

Overbite + Overjet Can Cause Severe Problems

When “overbite” (front teeth overlapped in the vertical direction) is combined with excessive overjet, an impinging bite occurs. Lower teeth contact the roof of the mouth. Left untreated, this deep bite will produce severe tooth and gum problems.

There are several treatment options to reduce excessive overjet and overbite:

• growth modification
• elastic wear
• tooth extraction
• orthognathic surgery

Orthodontists Treat Your Whole Face

Your initial photo can be morphed to show you the predicted facial changes with each treatment option.

Your orthodontist will carefully analyze your profile X-ray to produce a customized treatment plan to improve your bite, profile, and dental health. Orthodontists treat faces, not only teeth.

Questions? Give Us A Call

This case was treated by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, California.

If you have questions about overjet and overbite, call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

You don’t have to “stick-out.” Consider orthodontic treatment today.