Ortho Screenings

Why Are Orthodontic Screenings Important?

Detects Bite Problems Before They Become More Complex

Orthodontic screenings evaluate how the teeth and jaws fit together. This helps identify malocclusion conditions before they become more difficult to treat.

Identifies Developing Alignment Problems Early

By assessing tooth eruption patterns and available arch space, orthodontic screenings help detect potential crowding, impaction, or abnormal tooth positioning before permanent teeth fully erupt.

Monitors Jaw Growth and Facial Development

To check how the jaws, bite, and facial structure are developing, orthodontic screenings are crucial. This helps identify growth concerns early, making it easier to plan treatment at the right time for better results.

Supports Healthy Oral Function

Orthodontic screenings identify bite imbalances that may place extra pressure on certain teeth, increasing the risk of wear and affecting normal chewing over time.

Ortho Screenings Signs

Early or Delayed Baby Teeth: Baby teeth that fall out too early or remain longer than expected can interfere with the normal eruption of permanent teeth and affect future dental alignment.

Misaligned Permanent Teeth: Permanent teeth that erupt behind, in front of, or above their normal position may indicate limited arch space or abnormal eruption patterns.

Difficulty Closing the Lips: If your lips remain apart at rest or require extra effort to close comfortably, it may indicate underlying jaw development or bite alignment concerns.

Speech Difficulties: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds may be associated with tooth alignment or bite problems. It can affect normal tongue and tooth coordination during speech.

Frequent Cheek or Tongue Biting: Repeatedly biting the inside of your cheeks or tongue may be a sign that your teeth are not fitting together properly during normal biting and chewing.

Our Orthodontic Treatment Options

Our orthodontic services in Charlotte offer personalized treatment for patients of all ages. Here’s what we offer:

Clear Aligners

Our custom clear aligners offer a comfortable way to straighten your teeth without traditional braces. Using digital treatment planning, we create a series of removable aligners that gradually move your teeth into the right position. This means you can continue eating, brushing, and flossing with ease throughout treatment.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces remain one of the most effective solutions for correcting complex alignment and bite concerns. Our traditional braces use brackets and archwires to apply gentle, continuous pressure that gradually corrects crowding, spacing, rotated teeth, and complex bite concerns. Throughout treatment, we make precise adjustments to keep tooth movement on track and achieve stable, long-lasting results.

Orthodontic Consultations

Every successful orthodontic treatment starts with a thorough consultation. As a first step, our experienced African American dentist in Charlotte uses advanced diagnostic imaging to examine your bite, jaw alignment, tooth position, eruption patterns, and overall oral health. This helps us recommend a personalized treatment depending on your unique dental needs. 

Bite Correction

Bite problems can affect more than the appearance of your smile. We evaluate how your teeth and jaws fit together to identify overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, then create a customized treatment plan to restore proper function and alignment.

Crowding & Spacing Treatment

When your teeth are too close together or have noticeable gaps, we help you correct them. For this, our team carefully evaluates your tooth alignment and uses braces or clear aligners that fit your dental palette. This gradually moves them into better positions and improves bite function. 

Retention Therapy

Keeping your smile aligned after braces or clear aligners is just as important as the treatment itself. That’s why we provide custom retainers and follow-up care. Many patients choose our teeth whitening in Charlotte, NC, after their procedure to enhance their dental health. 

What To Expect During Your Orthodontic Consultation

Here’s what typically happens after your orthodontic consultation:

• For growing children, we’ll assess whether a palatal expander may be beneficial to create space for developing permanent teeth and support healthier jaw development.
• Based on your dental examination, our dentists suggest the most appropriate orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, traditional braces, or other suitable options.
• We suggest the right time to begin treatment for conditions like jaw growth discrepancies and bite problems, as they can be treated at certain stages of dental development.
• The dentist will check for underlying concerns such as cavities, gum disease, or retained baby teeth that could affect tooth movement. If needed, we’ll recommend restorative, periodontal, or other pre-orthodontic treatment before beginning your orthodontic care.
• If you are facing concerns like cavities, gum disease, or retained baby teeth that affect tooth movement. Our dentists recommend pre-orthodontic care, including restorative treatments such as our dental crowns in Charlotte, NC, before your orthodontic treatment. 

FAQs About Orthodontic Services In Charlotte, NC

1. How long do orthodontic services usually take to complete?

Treatment time varies by case, but most orthodontic plans are completed within 12 to 36 months.

2. How often will I need to visit during orthodontic treatment?

Most patients return every four to eight weeks for progress evaluations and adjustments.

3. Can I get orthodontic treatment with crowns or fillings?

Orthodontic treatment can be safely planned for patients with crowns, fillings, or other dental restorations.

4. At what age should I consider orthodontic services for my child?

Children should have an orthodontic evaluation around age seven for early evaluation. 

5. Can orthodontic treatment fix teeth that have shifted after previous braces?

Yes, orthodontic treatment can often correct teeth that have moved following previous treatment.