For people living in and around Elmhurst, IL, it can be difficult to know if they should see an orthodontist or go to their regular dentist. A simple way to know if you need to see the specialist is to determine the specific issue that is causing you difficulties with chewing, speaking or if there is a pain in your jaw or lower facial area.
In most cases, when the teeth are not aligned correctly, it is an orthodontist you will want to see. There may be very obvious issues that let you know that there is a problem with the alignment of the upper and lower jaws or in the alignment of the teeth.
Common Issues
The common alignment issues that patients in Elmhurst, IL, will experience include overbites and underbites. With an overbite, the top teeth protrude over the bottom teeth. This can create a problem with biting or even speaking.
Underbites are just the opposite. The lower jaw protrudes and causes the chin to push forward. This also causes biting and chewing problems, particularly when pronounced. These problems can also cause pain in the teeth and the jaws, resulting in more than a cosmetic issue for the patient.
Crowding of teeth or having the teeth not align between the upper and lower jaws can cause excessive tooth wear. A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth and not to the outside.
In some cases, people may have gaps between their teeth. This can create difficulties in chewing an often makes people self-conscious about their smile. Bites that are too deep, where the front teeth are too far down the lower teeth or when the front teeth don’t meet when the jaws are closed are all issues can be corrected by an experienced orthodontist in Elmhurst, IL.
If you need to see an orthodontist in Elmhurst, IL, contact the staff at Othman Orthodontics & Facial Aesthetics to set up an appointment. To learn more about our services, see us online at website.
