Are you looking for orthodontists? Edmonton has a great selection of licensed orthodontists who can diagnose and treat any tooth or jaw alignment problem you or your child may have. Although your family dentist should be able to refer you to some local orthodontists, Edmonton also has plenty of other resources to help put you in touch with someone who can help you. One way to locate an orthodontist is to go to the website of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists and navigate to the Orthodontists Edmonton section, where you will find a full list of local professionals. You can also find some other great local resources by doing a Google search for “Orthodontists Edmonton.”
If you or your child having is an orthodontic problem, the issue probably falls into one of a few main categories. Here are the most common issues that orthodontists see.
Underbite
Underbite is normal for a small percentage of the population. It’s what happens when the lower jaw is wider or more elongated than the upper one, causing the lower teeth to protrude further than the top teeth. It’s not always a problem, but underbite is sometimes associated with more serious orthodontic issues, so it’s a good idea to monitor the situation, especially in a growing child.
Overjet
Also known as overbite or simply “protruding upper teeth,” overjet is the name for a jaw alignment in which the top teeth protrude more than is normal. It’s often the result of misalignment toward the back of the jaw in the area of the molars. It often results from thumb or finger sucking, but this isn’t always the case.
Crossbite
When the front teeth are in normal alignment while the lower back teeth are inside the upper ones, this is known as crossbite. It tends to result from unusual chewing habits in children, and it is considered to be easy to treat when it is detected early in life.
Spacing
Spacing between teeth results from teeth being too small or the jaw arch being too wide. When spaces are large, it can result in difficulty chewing and a high risk of gum disease. Small spaces can be corrected, but they’re usually not considered by orthodontists to be serious.
Open bite
When there’s a gap between the lower and upper teeth when the individual bites down, it’s known as open bite. People with an open bite usually heavily favor their back teeth when chewing, which can result in significant damage to the molars in addition to digestive problems from underchewing food.
Deep overbite
When the lower teeth are so far behind the upper teeth that they dig into the gums, it’s known as a deep overbite. This condition can be quite painful, and it often causes considerable damage to the bones and gums.
Crowding
When some of the teeth are too large or the dental arch is very small, it often results in crowding. This can lead to impacted teeth (i.e., teeth that fail to grown in), teeth growing in front of or being each other, or poor jaw alignment.
If you suspect that your child is experiencing any of these problems, it might be time to begin looking for orthodontists. Edmonton has many licensed practitioners who can take a look at the issue and talk with you about the best corrective action to take.
