Orthodontics: An Overview

Whether you are interested in traditional braces or Invisalign, Dr. Celenza can help you.

Request an Appointment

Orthodontists specialize in aligning the teeth and correcting bite issues. Orthodontics was the first recognized dental specialty. And, it remains one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA (American Dental Association) today. An orthodontist must complete 2-3 years of specialty training focused on resolving issues with the teeth and jaw.

As one of the best orthodontists in Westchester, Dr. Frank Celenza specializes in offering adult orthodontic care. Through years of focused orthodontic study, Dr. Celenza has mastered the art of aligning the teeth in an effective, and lasting way—creating excellent results for the patients of Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale.

The Trouble With Crooked Teeth

Although many people assume that the main problem with crooked teeth is their impact on your smile, misaligned teeth can also contribute to tooth decay and periodontal disease. When teeth tip or crowd, it is easier for plaque to accumulate on their surfaces, which can cause tartar buildup and gum disease. Crooked teeth can make it hard to pronounce words or maintain your confidence, which can impact your ability to make friends or climb the corporate ladder. Bite problems can also impact your jaw alignment, which can cause muscle strain, headaches, or shoulder pain.

Types of Orthodontic Issues

Genetics, dental trauma, or thumb-sucking can lead to crooked teeth. During a typical orthodontic consultation, we will check your teeth for the following complications:

• Bite Issues

  Bite issues might seem insignificant, especially if your teeth are generally straight. But, bite problems can cause people to bite their cheeks or damage their teeth. Overbites, which are sometimes called “buck teeth” occur when the top jaw is too far forward ahead of the bottom jaw. Underbites are the opposite problem, where the lower jaw is too far ahead of the upper jaw. Crossbites can also be problematic, since they mean that the upper teeth do not nest around the lower teeth when the mouth closes. An open bite, which occurs when the teeth do not close together when the mouth closes, can cause problems with effective chewing.

• Spaced Teeth

  Teeth that are too far apart can give the smile a gap-toothed appearance, and make it hard to prevent plaque accumulation from between the teeth.

• Crowding

  Too many teeth can cause dental crowding. Or it can come from a single tooth coming in crooked and disrupting the placement of the surrounding teeth. Crowding can make it difficult to clean the teeth, since some of the teeth can be behind others.

• Midline Problems

  When you close your mouth, the line between your two front incisors should be the same on the top and bottom jaw. If this is not the case, you may have a misplaced midline, which can cause other orthodontic issues.

Orthodontic Treatments

To resolve these issues, professional orthodontists in Scarsdale use a wide variety of tools and techniques. We achieve orthodontic work two ways: fixed appliances and removable appliances. Here are examples of each, and what each procedure entails.

Fixed Treatments

• Braces

  Braces, the most common orthodontic appliance, consist of brackets mounted onto the teeth with a wire that moves the teeth into their proper place. Each month, the orthodontist tightens the wire arch, helping the teeth to straighten. Small rubber bands hold the wires to the brackets, which can create a fun appearance to traditional braces. Invisible or tooth-colored brackets are also available for adults.

• Fixed Space Maintainers

  When kids lose teeth earlier than they should, spacers can ensure an even bite further down the road. Metal bands hold the spacers to the teeth, and can be helpful to keep the teeth straight as they emerge.

• Permanent Retainers

  After receiving orthodontic care, your orthodontist can fix a permanent retainer to the back of your teeth. As time passes, it will keep your smile straight and healthy.

Removable Appliances

• Invisalign

  The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners for adults that can move the teeth into place. Dr. Frank Celenza is a premiere Invisalign provider, named in 2015 due to his skill in straightening teeth with the system. Invisalign retainers are almost invisible and completely removable. This allows people to keep their teeth clean and healthy during orthodontic treatment.

• Retainers

  After orthodontic care, patients also have the chance to use removable retainers. When warn on the top of the mouth, they prevent shifting.

Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation Today!

At Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale, we are fortunate to have a rare cross-trained dentist in Westchester who specializes in both orthodontics and periodontics. Dr. Celenza specializes in helping adults achieve the smile of their dreams, while keeping important factors like lifestyle, careers, and budgets in mind. For more information about getting your teeth straightened, contact Advanced Dentistry of Scarsdale today.