Orthodontic Treatment at All Smiles Orthodontics
Orthodontic therapy is critical for promoting oral health, ensuring proper tooth function, and achieving facial harmony. At All Smiles Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic care to the Crofton MD and Edgewater MD community, rooted in experience, precision, and a commitment to outstanding clinical outcomes.
Under the stewardship of P. Todd Bonner, our practice provides evidence-based care using modern treatment methods and individualized planning tailored to each patient's unique needs. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the field, P. Todd Bonner ensures that children, teens, and adults have access to comprehensive orthodontic services in a caring and professional environment.
Orthodontics is much more than just repositioning teeth; it corrects jaw alignment, maximizes bite function, and creates a more symmetrical facial structure. Properly aligned teeth allow for efficient chewing, clearer speech, reduced strain on jaw joints, and easier oral hygiene. Whether for early-phase treatment, adult care with invisible aligners, or comprehensive orthodontics, All Smiles Orthodontics designs treatments with permanent stability and long-term comfort in mind.
Understanding Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting irregularities—specifically malocclusions or "bad bites." These misalignments involve the teeth and jaws and can be congenital, developmental, or acquired through external trauma, early loss of baby teeth, or oral habits. Regardless of the cause, misalignment can hinder function and lead to long-term health concerns.
Common issues include crowding, spacing, crossbite, underbite, overbite, deep bite, and open bite. If left untreated, patients may experience difficulty chewing, speech complications, and undue stress on specific teeth. Furthermore, misaligned teeth are harder to clean, making them more prone to plaque accumulation, gum inflammation, and eventual tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment prevents these issues by guiding teeth into healthier, natural positions.
At All Smiles Orthodontics, treatment begins with early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and strategic planning. Each patient receives exactly the care they need—whether that is early interceptive treatment, short-term corrective appliances, or full alignment solutions.
Need for Orthodontic Treatment
The value of orthodontics goes far beyond aesthetics. When teeth and jaws do not fit together properly, the chewing muscles, gums, and supporting bone structures suffer strain. This can lead to uneven tooth wear, jaw discomfort, and difficulty with daily oral hygiene.
Common reasons patients seek treatment include:
- Chewing and Speaking Issues: Misaligned teeth can interrupt normal chewing patterns and create challenges in forming certain sounds. Repositioning the teeth and jaws restores proper function.
- Increased Risk of Cavities and Gum Disease: Crowded teeth are difficult to clean thoroughly. When plaque is trapped in tight spaces, the risk of cavities and gum inflammation increases. Straight teeth allow for much easier brushing and flossing.
- Jaw Pain and Bite Imbalance: An incorrect bite can cause tension, discomfort, or early signs of TMJ (jaw joint) issues. Realignment relieves this strain and enhances bite function.
- Prevention of Long-Term Damage: Misaligned teeth tend to wear down faster than those that are perfectly aligned. Orthodontics distributes bite pressure uniformly, decreasing the likelihood of chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth.
Through a structured, personalized treatment plan, All Smiles Orthodontics helps patients achieve lasting comfort, function, and stability.
Partnering for Success
The best orthodontic results are achieved through teamwork. Patients who actively participate in their treatment experience smoother and more efficient progress. Habits that bolster success include:
- Following Instructions: Adhering to the orthodontist’s schedule for wearing appliances or aligners is critical for predictable progress.
- Maintaining Oral Hygiene: Braces and aligners require diligent cleaning of the teeth and gums to prevent plaque buildup and ensure healthy results.
- Watching Your Diet: Avoiding hard, sticky, or crunchy foods protects braces and appliances from damage, preventing treatment delays.
- Wearing Retainers: After the active phase of treatment, retainers are essential to maintain the results and prevent teeth from shifting back.
Common Orthodontic Treatments Provided
All Smiles Orthodontics addresses a wide array of orthodontic cases, including:
- Crowding: When there is insufficient space in the jaw, teeth may overlap, twist, or compete for position. Treatment creates space to align teeth properly.
- Open Bite: An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the jaws are closed. Treatment corrects the bite to ensure proper contact between front and back teeth.
- Deep Overbite: A deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower teeth, sometimes causing the lower teeth to bite into the soft tissue of the palate. Correcting this improves function and prevents tissue damage.
- Missing Lateral Incisors: If permanent lateral incisors do not develop, orthodontic treatment can position neighboring teeth properly to prepare for a bridge or dental implant.
- Underbite: When the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth, it affects chewing and jaw comfort. Treatment restores a harmonious bite relationship.
- Spacing: Gaps between teeth can result from jaw size discrepancies, missing teeth, or oral habits. Orthodontics closes these spaces for optimal alignment.
- Excessive Overjet: Protruding front teeth ("buck teeth") are at higher risk for injury and functional strain. Treatment retracts them to a stable, safe position.
Invest in a Smile That Lasts a Lifetime
A healthy, properly aligned smile is the foundation of long-term oral health. Whether you need to correct a complex bite issue or simply want to improve your aesthetics, All Smiles Orthodontics is here to guide you. Don't wait for minor issues to become major concerns.
