Consultant Specialist Orthodontist with over 25 years' experience
When thinking about coming to see Mary Lo in Marylebone, you may want to consider which type of treatment you are looking for. In dentistry, the subtype that works on the realignment of malpositioned teeth is called orthodontics. Millions of people worldwide are affected by orthodontic conditions, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Complications arising from orthodontic conditions are not just limited to the impaired appearance of a patient’s smile, but can result in speaking and chewing difficulties, and can also contribute to an increase in the rate of tooth erosion. Orthodontic conditions include a wide range of conditions, such as gaps between the teeth, crooked or crowded teeth, malocclusions, overbites, underbites and crossbites. If you think you might have an orthodontic condition, book a consultation appointment at our dentistry, where Mary Lo in Marylebone will help you find the treatment that suits your lifestyle and individual circumstances the most.
How to know if you have an orthodontic condition?
The most simple way of self-diagnosing orthodontic conditions is by just looking at the mirror, and observing the position of your teeth. Healthy teeth are positioned in a straight line, and the lower lip’s edges should be positioned in line with the lower edges of your upper array of teeth. If you have an orthodontic condition, the most obvious indicator of this is any deviation from the aforementioned positioning. If your teeth are asymmetrical, crowded in one place, or you have significant gaps between them, you are likely to have some type of orthodontic condition. If your lower front teeth and your upper front teeth overlap, resulting in a reduced ability to close your mouth, you have a condition called an overbite. If your lower front teeth are positioned in front of the upper front teeth, the orthodontic condition you have is called an underbite. When a patient with a closed mouth has some of his or her upper teeth positioned inside the lower teeth, the orthodontic condition is called crossbite. If you suspect you have any of these conditions, book an appointment in our dentistry and Mary Lo in Marylebone will evaluate your condition.
How can orthodontic conditions be treated?
There are a variety of ways orthodontic conditions can be treated, however they are all based on applying mechanical force on the teeth in order to correct their position. In this process the pressure loosens the teeth slightly, which allows for the growth of new bone and tissue, to fixate the realigned tooth permanently. This process is mainly done by using braces or invisible aligners, which both have their own advantages. The type you require is based on the type and severity of your condition, and your personal requirements. Invisible aligners provide an excellent solution for adult patients who would like to straighten their teeth, but would not like to wear metal braces. Invisible aligners are most suitable for mild to moderate orthodontic conditions due to the way they work. If a patients’ orthodontic condition would exceed in severity what invisible aligners can treat, braces are the right option, as they can treat almost any orthodontic condition. There are metal and invisible braces available, that are made out of tooth coloured and transparent plastic materials.
