Common Problems

Gingivitis, thumbsucking, a crooked smile, and crooked teeth are just a few of the reasons to consider orthodontics. Our patients can start treatment for as little as $99 with low monthly payments. Drs. Savage, Sabol & Visser treat common problems for people living in and around Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia’s eastern shore, giving them a beautiful and bright smile.

Crowding/Crooked Teeth

Teeth may be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and/or the teeth are large. The bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result of severe crowding. Impacted teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), poor biting relationships, and undesirable appearance may all result from crowding. Overcrowding also leads to crooked teeth as the permanent teeth come into place.

Overjet Or Protruding Upper Teeth

Upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower front teeth are prone to injury, often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth (molars), and may indicate an unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper teeth are associated with a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw. Thumb and finger sucking habits can also cause a protrusion of the upper incisor teeth.

Deep Overbite

A deep overbite or deep bite occurs when the lower incisor (front) teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, significant bone damage and discomfort can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the incisor teeth.

Open Bite

An open bite results when the upper and lower incisor teeth do not touch when biting down. This open space between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear. Often patients with open bites complain about not being able to eat properly.

Spacing

If teeth are missing or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.

Crossbite

The most common type of a crossbite is when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward the tongue). Crossbites of both back teeth and front teeth are commonly corrected early due to biting and chewing difficulties. The result of a crossbite is the appearance of a crooked smile and if left untreated in a child can lead to misalignment of the jaws.

Jaw and Teeth Misalignments

About 3 to 5 percent of the population has a lower jaw that is to some degree longer than the upper jaw. This can cause the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper front teeth creating a crossbite. Careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development is indicated for these patients.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the result of poorly maintained gums around the teeth. This is often due to the problems listed above, as well as not maintaining proper oral hygiene, especially with flossing. For those with crooked or overcrowded teeth, it is difficult to reach areas between the teeth, especially around the gums. Orthodontics corrects these problems to help people take good care of their teeth.

Thumbsucking

As the teeth come in, those who suck their thumbs cause the teeth to protrude forward, creating spaces and issues with their bites. When this happens, orthodontics is the only way to correct the bite and teeth alignment.

Drs. Savage, Sabol, & Visser are leading orthodontists trained to correct common problems associated with orthodontics. Our patients can start treatment for as little as $99 with low monthly payments. If you live in or around Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, or Virginia’s eastern shore, and want a beautiful smile, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.