Crooked teeth or misaligned teeth not only diminish your appearance, but they’re harder to clean. At Heritage Dental in Hayward, California, Jacob Ming, DDS, focuses on correcting the position of your teeth and jaw with orthodontic services. Clean, straight teeth brighten your smile and boost your confidence. Book an appointment online or call Heritage Dental for your consultation with Dr. Ming today.
Orthodontics is a dental specialty focusing on correcting the position of your teeth and jaw. Dr. Ming at Heritage Dental offers specialized orthodontic treatment which improves your appearance and keeps your mouth healthier, including both fixed and removable devices that can correct your bite and straighten your jaw.
Dr. Ming uses exams and X-rays to diagnose any alignment issues you may have with your teeth and jaw, so he can help you decide if you could benefit from orthodontics.
The most common reasons for needing orthodontic devices are:
An overbite happens when the top teeth stick out past the bottom teeth, also known as buck teeth. An underbite happens when the bottom teeth stick out past the top teeth, resembling the bite of a bulldog.
Open bite happens when there’s an open space between teeth when biting or chewing. Crowded teeth happen when your teeth are pushed together at awkward angles because your mouth doesn’t have enough room for them. A gap from missing teeth or small teeth creates a spacing problem that can affect your bite and appearance.
Dr. Ming explains why you might need orthodontics and which orthodontic device he recommends.
Orthodontic devices fall into two different categories: they’re either fixed or removable.
Examples of fixed appliances are braces and space maintainers. Braces are a combination of wires, bands, and brackets that are bonded to the teeth. The wire passes through the brackets and is then tightened. The wires, bands, and brackets manipulate the teeth into the correct position over time.
Space maintainers are a combination of bands and wires. Dr. Ming attaches the band to one tooth and stretches the wire across the space. The wire stops the teeth on either side from moving into the open space.
Removable appliances include aligners, headgear, and expanders. You can take the removable appliances off during mealtimes or when brushing or flossing.
An alternative to braces are aligners, which don’t rely on wire, brackets, or bands, and are practically invisible, as they’re clear, plastic molds of your teeth. They gradually straighten and shape your teeth without the need for fixed appliances over a period of several months to a year.
Dr. Ming recommends headgear treatment for slowing the growth of your upper jaw, using expanders for widening the arch of your jaw and making correction possible.
At Heritage Dental, Dr. Ming discusses natural and holistic approaches for the treatment of your teeth and how that treatment may affect you. Call for available appointments or book your appointment online for your consultation.
