Your Journey to a Healthy, Beautiful Smile
All About Orthodontics
Why Orthodontics?
Achieving a Beautiful Smile and Optimal Oral Health
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating misalignments of the teeth and jaw, also known as malocclusions. This field of care goes beyond just aesthetics—while orthodontic treatment helps you achieve a beautiful smile, it also offers a wide range of health benefits.
At Buoyancy Orthodontics, Dr. Chris Shi is dedicated to guiding you through every step of your orthodontic journey. Whether you’re looking to straighten your teeth, address alignment issues, or improve your overall oral health, we’re here to help you achieve the healthy, confident smile you’ve always dreamed of. With our personalized care and state-of-the-art treatments, you can be sure that we’ll provide you with the best possible results for both your smile and your overall dental health.
Reasons for Orthodontic Treatment
Benefits for Adults & Children
- Breathing or Swallowing Problems: Mouth breathing can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.
- Crossbite: One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.
- Crowding: Extra or malpositioned teeth.
- Deep Overbite: Lower front teeth bite into the upper tissue.
- Facial Disfigurement: Affects jaw development and tooth position.
- Jaw & Joint Pain: Associated with misalignment.
- Missing or Extra Teeth: Due to decay, injuries, or inherited issues.
- Overjet (Protruding Teeth): Upper teeth extend beyond normal, often with a short lower jaw.
- Self-Image: A beautiful smile boosts confidence.
- Spacing Issues: Gaps due to missing, small, or large teeth.
- Speech, Chewing, or Biting Problems: Corrected with proper alignment.
- Underbite: Lower jaw protrudes longer than the upper jaw.
What Does Orthodontic Treatment Involve?
Three Phases of Orthodontic Care
1. Planning Phase
Your first visits may include:
- Medical and dental history evaluation.
- Castings or “molds” of your teeth.
- Computer-generated images of your head and neck.
- Photographs of your face and mouth.
- X-rays of your teeth and jaws.
After careful planning, we design and apply braces or fabricate custom-made appliances.
2. Active Phase
Regular visits for adjustments and following specific treatment requirements ensure successful outcomes.
3. Retention Phase
When treatment is completed, braces or appliances are removed, and a new appliance (retainer) is made. Retainers are usually removable and maintain changes until teeth and bone stabilize in their new positions.