At Ralph W. Besho, DMD, PA, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive dental care to our patients. Our office is affiliated with Jeffrey S. Karlin Orthodontics of East Brunswick to provide orthodontic services. To learn more about orthodontics, call our office to schedule a consultation.

What is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that corrects issues with teeth and jaw alignment. Known as a bad bite, crooked teeth or misaligned jaws that do not fit together properly can make it difficult to eat, brush your teeth, or even speak properly. Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean, even with good oral hygiene, leading to decay or gum disease. Tooth and jaw issues can place additional strain on your chewing muscles, which can cause headaches, jaw pain, TMJ disorders, and pain in the face or neck.

We use orthodontics to treat a variety of tooth and jaw issues, including:

• Crooked or rotated teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Gaps or spaces between teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite

If you suffer from any of these issues, you may be a candidate for orthodontics. Schedule a consultation with our office to see if orthodontic treatment is right for you.

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

Orthodontics uses different types of appliances to shift teeth, reposition the jaws, retrain jaw muscles, and help correct the development of the teeth and jaws. There are two general types of appliances: fixed appliances and removable appliances.

Common fixed appliances include:

• Braces: Typically made from metal or ceramic, braces use brackets and wires to guide your teeth into a healthy alignment. The brackets anchor the wires, which apply the gentle and consistent pressure necessary to move your teeth and tooth roots over one to two years.
• Habit appliances: These special appliances are used to control thumbsucking, tongue thrusting and other oral habits, which can force the teeth out of alignment and cause dental health issues.
• Space maintainers: If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, we can recommend a space maintainer to hold the space open until the permanent tooth comes in.

Common removable appliances include:

• Clear aligners: An alternative to traditional braces for adults and teenagers, clear aligners use a series of transparent plastic trays to gently reposition your teeth without the need for brackets or wires. Clear aligners are more discreet and can be removed during meals, at social events or while playing sports.
• TMJ appliances: Also known as splints, these devices are worn on either the top or lower jaw. They help reposition your jaw to alleviate the discomfort and strain on the jaw muscles associated with TMJ disorders.
• Palatal expanders: We can recommend this device to widen the arch of the upper jaw to reduce crowning, correct a crossbite or improve the patient’s breathing.