Orthodontic treatment sounds scary, bit it really isn’t. Orthodontists have their own terminology used to describe dental issues treated with braces and the latest orthodontic technology, like Invisalign. According to Dr. Raymond Kubisch and Dr. Andrew Ferris, top orthodontists in Solvang, California, understanding the terms doctors use can help alleviate the anxiety some patients have before a consultation.

Dr. Kubisch and Dr,. Ferris suggests prospective patients in Solvang, California, learn these 8 simple terms before making an appointment with an orthodontist:

1. Crowding is a dental misalignment that is caused when the dental arch is too small or the teeth are too large. The teeth may bunch together and form a crooked smile. According to Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris, the issue can be more than cosmetic. Crowding causes gums to recede and weaken, which leads to impacted teeth, or teeth growing beneath the gum line that never push through the surface.

2. Cross-bite, also referred to as under-bite, is when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris have seen the issue cause gum loss and uneven wear on teeth in some of patients in Solvang, California.

3. Open-bite is caused when the upper and lower teeth thrust forward and do not touch. Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris attribute the condition to a variety of potential causes, including thumb-sucking, thrusting your tongue against your teeth when you swallow or sleep, underdeveloped teeth or an abnormal jaw structure.

4. Over-bite is a common problem when the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth. A deep-bite, however, where the lower teeth are completely covered by the uppers, can be quite unhealthy, according to Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris. Deep-bite can contribute to gum loss and cause excessive wear on the top front teeth.

5. Spacing is a work that refers to significant gaps between teeth. It is caused by teeth that are missing or small or when the dental arch is very wide. Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris have seen the condition lead to uneven wear on teeth on patients in Solvang, California.

6. Appliance describes anything orthodontists like Dr. Raymond Kubisch and Dr. Andrew Ferris attach to teeth to help reposition the teeth or change the shape of the jaw.

7. Retainers are a specific appliance orthodontists have their patients wear after they remove the braces. The retainer attaches to a patient’s teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable, while others are bonded to the tongue side of several teeth.

8. Invisalign, an alternative to braces, is popular in Solvang, California. The relatively new technology straightens teeth with a series of clear, custom-molded aligners. The nearly invisible removable aligners are worn throughout the day but can be removed to eat and clean the teeth, according to Dr. Kubisch and Dr. Ferris.

Looking for an orthodontist in Goleta CA? Dr Kubisch and Ferris provide braces for teens in Goleta CA, and surrounding towns. Call us today to set up your consultation, and get started on the path to straight teeth!