As an orthodontist in Ft. Worth, Dr. Ciro Cabal specializes in the helping you maintain the delicate balance that your smile requires to operate properly (and look its best). Known as occlusion, the manner in which your teeth fit together has a significant influence on your oral health. If teeth are crooked (malocclusion), then the imbalance can cause excessive pressure on some or all of your teeth, leading to a host of dental health issues if not successfully treated. Today, we explore common forms of malocclusion, and the consequences of neglecting to straighten crooked teeth.
Diagnosing Malocclusion
To many people, crooked teeth are crooked teeth, period. The truth, however, is that your teeth can grow crooked in a number of ways, and determining the exact nature of your crooked teeth will largely determine your course of treatment. Some of the more common forms of malocclusion include an overbite (when your upper teeth extend too far beyond your lower teeth); an underbite (your lower teeth extend in front of your upper teeth); and a crossbite (when one or several teeth grow at an angle, instead of vertically).
Consequences of Crooked Teeth
Excessive and improperly-disbursed bite pressure can damage your teeth, causing them to crack or fracture under the stress. Also, when your teeth don’t line up correctly, the odd angles and crevices can offer harmful dental plaque places to hide, often outside of your toothbrush’s reach. If left untreated, malocclusion can also lead to damaged and inflamed jaw joints, or TMJs, leading to severe jaw discomfort and TMJ disorder.
Straighten Crooked Teeth with Your Ft. Worth Orthodontist
To learn more about different forms of malocclusion, or to learn your options for treating crooked teeth, call Lake Country Orthodontics today at (817) 236-7846 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ciro Cabal. Located in the 76179 area, our Ft. Worth orthodontist’s office proudly welcomes families from Azle, Saginaw, Springtown, Weatherford, Haslet, Ft. Worth, and all surrounding communities.
