Common Problems
Poor oral hygiene has the potential to lead to painful and frustrating issues with the teeth and gums. Advanced gum disease, sensitivity to foods and beverages of varying temperatures and the development of cavities are a couple examples of problems that arise when patients fail to adhere to the proper oral hygiene regiment. You owe it to yourself to do everything you can to avoid common oral health problems, setting the stage for a healthy mouth in the years and decades ahead.
Our Fort Wroth, TX orthodontist is here to provide assistance. Reach out to us today at (817) 735-8291 to schedule an appointment where our orthodontist will review your oral hygiene and oral health in preparation for restorations, cosmetic enhancements and other dental challenges. The yellow film referred to as plaque that sticks to the teeth develops causes the formation of cavities.
Aside from cavities and gum disease, dental problems such as gum infections, tooth erosion and even worse can arise in due time if patients neglect their oral health. Though few know it, dental diseases are some of the most common causes of chronic disease. Symptoms of dental issues include loose teeth, alterations to tooth shape or color, excessive wear, pain when eating, swollen cheeks and cracks/chips in teeth.
Underbite
Underbites occur more frequently than most people assume. Plenty of people are not born with teeth that have the optimal alignment. If teeth are even a bit misaligned, there is no need for treatment. If there is a significant underbite, intervention is necessary. Our dental practice in Fort Worth is here to help. Reach out to us today at (817) 735-8291 to schedule an appointment where we analyze your mouth for an underbite and proactively address it.
The assistance of an experienced orthodontist in Fort Worth is necessary to address your underbite. Resist the temptation to attempt to remedy your underbite on your own at home with supposed oral health solutions available over the counter. Our orthodontist will consider all options ranging from braces to tooth extraction in the lower jaw for aesthetic purposes, a smoothening or shaving of the teeth that are excessively large or even the use of other dental appliances. However, if the underbite is especially severe, the orthodontist might advise surgical intervention. All patients in Fort Worth should be aware that our orthodontist only consider surgery as a last and final option.
Crossbite
Crossbite is a form of dental misalignment in which the lower and upper teeth do not connect properly when biting. Experienced orthodontists identify crossbites when patients are young. Orthodontists also insist on addressing crossbites as soon as possible as the condition has the potential to lead to oral health issues including an uneven jaw that causes problems when eating. Crossbite treatments include braces, elastics and even surgery. The recommended treatment hinges on whether the patient has an anterior crossbite or posterior crossbite as well as the severity of the crossbite.
Bilateral, anterior lingual, unilateral and segmental are also examples of crossbite types. It is worth noting that crossbites have the potential to occur as a result of genetics or even behavioral factors including thumb sucking as an infant and/or child. Regardless of what is causing your unique crossbite, what matters most is that you proactively address the problem by meeting with our Fort Worth, TX orthodontist today. Reach out to us at (817) 735-8291 to schedule an appointment at our practice where we analyze your unique mouth for the potential addition of braces, elastics or another dental device.
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
If your upper front teeth protrude, do not suffer in silence. Give our team a call at (817) 735-8291 to schedule an appointment where we will determine if you have protruding upper front teeth or another oral health problem. Also referred to as malocclusion and bucked teeth, protruding front teeth create gaps between the anterior teeth. The lower segment of the anterior teeth moves the upper part of the jaw of anterior teeth, creating spacing problems.
Our Fort Worth orthodontist is here to address your upper front teeth protrusion. We perform orthodontic treatment in which extraction isn’t necessary. Invisalign or braces can be used to close the space if there is a gap between the teeth. If the teeth are spread out and there isn’t much space between the protruding teeth, extraction might be necessary to shift the teeth into the proper positions within the mouth. Uneven teeth can also be treated with tooth recontouring. However, if necessary, our Fort Worth orthodontist will consider surgical intervention.
Overbite
Overbites, also sometimes referred to as malocclusions, are the result of habits developed during childhood or infancy that generate pressure on the teeth. Habits that cause overbites range from nail-biting to the use of pacifiers, thumb-sucking, bruxism (meaning a grinding of the teeth), mouth injuries and more.
Overbites must be proactively addressed at Sorokolit Orthodontics as soon as possible. However, you might not be aware you have an overbite, meaning an appointment at our office has the potential to prove invaluable. If you know or suspect your child or someone else in your family has an overbite, reach out to our orthodontist in Fort Worth for assistance.
Fail to address an overbite and it will cause issues ranging from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) to tooth decay, gum disease and more. In terms of treatment, overbites are addressed with procedures nuanced to each patient’s mouth. If the patient is a child with a considerable overbite, extraction of the tooth might be optimal. The removal of the tooth generates space to accommodate the remainder of teeth so they emerge straight.
However, an adult with an overbite might not require the extraction of permanent teeth unless the overbite is egregious. Braces can also be used to correct overbites. Braces apply pressure to teeth with elastic bands, wires and brackets that help them move into the optimal alignment for beauty and also functionality in the years to come.
Crowding
The unique dental crowding treatment performed at Sorokolit Orthodontics is determined by severity. Patients who suspect or know they have crowded teeth are encouraged to reach out to Sorokolit Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX 76107 at (817) 735-8291 for treatment. Our orthodontist will determine if you have severe, moderate or mild crowding. Severe crowding occurs when the anterior teeth within the lower/upper jaw overlap. Moderate crowding occurs when anterior teeth overlap in either the lower/upper jaw.
Mild crowding is characterized by a slight rotation of anterior teeth in the lower/upper jaw. Clear aligners have the potential to address crowding and save patients thousands of dollars. However, there are some instances in which braces are a better option than clear aligners. Impacted wisdom teeth stuck below the gums are also sometimes grouped under the umbrella of crowding.
Retainers hold teeth in position yet do not cause a crowding of the front teeth, ensuring you feel comfortable every single time they are in your mouth. Porcelain veneers, composite veneers and extractions are also worth consideration in the context of treating dental crowding. Listen closely as our orthodontist, Christopher Sorokolit, DDS, MS, describes the differences between available treatment options and you’ll have a better idea as to whether clear aligners or braces are the better solution for your unique mouth. If you have questions or concerns, raise them during your appointment and our oral health specialists will provide the information you need to make a well-informed decision to address crowding.
Spacing
Some patients develop spacing issues as time progresses. Though the formation of spaces between your teeth is not guaranteed to occur, such gaps should be addressed as quickly as possible. Our orthodontist in Fort Worth, TX is here to address your spacing issues. Braces are one potential option for improperly spaced teeth. If there are other issues such as bite problems or a misalignment, veneers or another cosmetic treatment will likely be necessary.
Most patients find wearing braces for a period of 12 to 18 months rectifies the spacing issue. Alternatively, the orthodontist might suggest the use of clear retainers to conceal the space. Direct bonding adds filling to the sides of the teeth near the gap. Direct resin bonding is affordable and effective for concealing the spaces between teeth. Veneers of the composite variety are optimal for smaller sized gaps. Porcelain veneers conceal the large spaces between the teeth, proving stronger than composite veneers for spaces where bite loads require attention from our orthodontist in Fort Worth.
Dental implants, retainers, veneers and additional orthodontic treatments are also available to address spacing issues. Meet with our orthodontist at your convenience and we will identify the optimal spacing treatment option for your unique mouth. Give us a call today at (817) 735-8291 to schedule your appointment.
Openbite
Open Bite, often confused with malocclusion, is a dental condition that impacts most patients at some point in life. Every Fort Worth patient should know that slight malocclusion is quite common so there’s no reason to feel embarrassed or shameful about the condition. Open bites are unique in that they occur infrequently, making it difficult to speak or chew. Open bites are also problematic in that they hinder the patient’s self-esteem, often making it difficult to open one’s mouth in public without feeling self-conscious about how the open bite appears. Incomplete overbites, open bites of the posterior variety and anterior open bites are the three main types of open bites.
Sorokolit Orthodontics embraces the challenge of open bite treatment. The optimal treatment for open bites creates a balance by pulling and pushing teeth into the desired positions. However, if orthodontic treatment doesn’t correct the issue, corrective jaw surgery might be necessary. The upper jaw is repositioned to remedy the misalignment and bite problems. The jaw is secured in position with plates and metal screws. However, surgery is only considered after all other orthodontic treatment options are exhausted.
Dental Midlines not Matched
Dental midlines do not always align. Meet with our orthodontist in Fort Worth, TX, Christopher Sorokolit, DDS, MS, and you might find out you have mismatched dental midlines. However, there is no reason to panic as dental midlines are a common condition. Refrain from addressing your dental midline misalignment and you will eventually experience challenges with chewing. Excessively large teeth, missing teeth and small teeth are some of the most common causes of dental midline mismatches. However, something as simple as chewing can also spur shifts that necessitate prompt treatment.
If you suspect or know your dental midlines are not properly matched, give us a call at (817) 735-8291. Our orthodontist will determine if your dental midlines need correction. Dental midline correction occurs with braces, teeth aligners, veneers or Invisalign. Invisalign addresses misalignment along with improperly spaced teeth. Veneers are similar to dental realignments, serving as rigid yet thin porcelain pieces that connect to the teeth. There is also the possibility of complementary at-home treatment that reinforces the efficacy of professional treatments.
The treatment option best for you will be determined by your unique dental midline misalignment and also your personal preferences. Ask our orthodontist in Fort Worth for guidance and we’ll help correct your mismatched dental midlines as quickly as possible.