The replacement of the baby teeth by the adult teeth occurs in two distinct phases: the first phase of replacement occurs between the ages of 5-7 years of age; the second phase between 11-14 years of age. During the first phase the permanent front teeth erupt in both the upper and lower jaws. In the […]
This child does not have enough room for the permanent lateral incisors to erupt (blue arrows indicate lack of space).
Roughly 3-5% of the population is missing a tooth. The tooth is absent because it never formed. If you walk down the street and pass twenty people, one of the people you pass will naturally be missing a tooth. The most common tooth to be missing is a third molar (no big deal) however, the […]
Most people look in the mirror and recognize that something is wrong with their smile. The arrangement of the teeth is off. The problem with this diagnosis is that they are not exactly sure of the reason. Sometimes the tooth that they find irksome may be the only correct tooth in the bite. Other times, […]
Elastics are requested to correct the fit of the bite. We ask patients to wear elastics because this is the only method to achieve the patient’s goals. Elastics are asked to be worn in many different directions and have names: Class II Elastics Class III Elastics Vertical Elastics
An illustration of a tooth that is not aligned and the effect of elastics and a light wire.
Most times a Herbst appliance will be sufficient to correct differences in jaw growth. In a few patients, the facial bones grow in so differently that a Herbst appliance or regular orthodontics are not enough to correct the bite. In order to achieve a functional bite the bones have to be realigned. Disparate facial bones […]
In some patients the lower jaw is small and needs assistance to match with the upper jaw. A Herbst (lower jaw advancing) appliance may be the additional help needed. Elastics sometimes are not enough to make the needed correction to the tooth alignment. A Herbst appliance is typically worn 8 months.
A photograph of an adult with severe crowding and protrusion of the upper teeth compared to the lower teeth. Teeth are blocked out of the arch and have erupted outside the bony ridge provided for the teeth.
A photograph of a young lady with crowding of the upper and lower teeth showing teeth erupting off the bony ridge of the arch. A photograph of a young lady with crowding of the upper and lower teeth showing teeth erupting off the bony ridge of the arch.
