Orthodontic Services

People travel to Sealy Dental Center from many of our neighboring areas such as Katy to Columbus and from Brenham to Wharton and Fulsher to benefit from our orthodontic treatments. Our orthodontist, Dr. Sam Winkleman, knows that a beautiful smile is a priceless commodity. By investing in braces or other orthodontic treatments today you can benefit with a lifetime of great oral health and a magnificent smile.

Most people believe that the purpose of orthodontic treatments is to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth.  But appearance is far from the only reason to undergo treatments. Crowded or misaligned teeth can be difficult to clean because the toothbrush cannot reach, or a bad bite can lead to tooth decay by affecting the way you chew or talk. These are just a few of the reasons why braces are such an important part of dental treatment.

Below you will find additional information that can help you if you are considering braces for yourself or a loved one. You can also schedule a complimentary consultation by calling 979-885-4856 or online at www.sealydentalcenter.com.

Class II (Overjet)
Class II represents problems with an abnormal bite where the upper jaw and teeth project ahead of the lower jaw. This is referred to as ?overjet? with patients usually exhibiting a convex facial profile with a deficient chin prominence. A Class II problem is typically inherited and can also be aggravated by persistent thumb sucking. Influencing the facial growth in order to bring the upper and lower jaws and teeth into their proper position is usually required to correct this disorder.

Class III (Underbite)
With Class III the lower jaw and teeth project ahead of the upper jaw. This creates a facial appearance that gives the impression of an excessively large lower jaw. This problem is usually inherited.

Posterior or Anterior Crossbite
A constricted upper jaw or an unusually wide lower jaw causes this condition. It forces the patient to move their lower jaw forward or to one side to close into a stable bite. This accommodating causes the lower teeth to be located outside of the upper teeth and can result in an incorrect functional position of the lower jaw and facial asymmetry. 

Crowding
The most common problem associated with a need for orthodontic care is crowding of the teeth. There are many factors that contribute to dental crowding, but this problem usually arises from a disparity between the size of the teeth and the available space in each jaw. Aesthetic considerations aside, crowding of the teeth can cause periodontal problems and dental decay because of the difficulty it creates in maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Deep Bite (Overbite)
A deep bite, or ?overbite? refers to the condition in which there is an excessive overlapping of the incisor teeth. This condition is usually associated with an inconsistency between the length of the upper and lower jaws. This condition usually causes an excessive eruption of the incisor teeth and can contribute to other problems such as; a disproportionate display of gum tissue, excessive wear to the incisors, lip obtrusion or entrapment, and biting the roof of the mouth. 

Open Bite
An open bite is a lack of vertical overlap of the incisors and is usually associated with habits such as persistent thumb sucking or posturing of the tongue between the teeth, or factors such as jaw disharmony or excessive vertical growth of one or both jaws. Early intervention is crucial to the success of treating this disorder.

Spacing
Another common problem that requires orthodontic care is spacing. There are many possible causes including; atypical or unusually narrow teeth, missing or impacted teeth, a disparity in the tooth-to-jaw size, gum tissue attachment (frenum), excessive vertical overlap of the front teeth, or incisor protrusion. 

To learn more about orthodontics, call Sealy Dental Center today!