Malocclusion is more commonly known as “having an overbite.” Malocclusion can range from mild to severe and most people have malocclusion to some degree. People who have more severe malocclusions may require orthodontic and sometimes orthognathic surgery to correct the problem. Most of the time, having crooked teeth is only a cosmetic problem, meaning people don’t like the way their teeth look. But in severe cases, it can cause problems with eating or speaking.

We will check for malocclusion in children during regular dental visits. If need be, we can recommend your family to an orthodontist for further examination. Many adult patients can treat their malocclusion with clear aligners instead of braces. Teeth tend to move forward as you age, even after treatment with braces. If you had or are planning to have braces to correct your malocclusion, make sure you commit to wearing your retainers.

If you have additional questions about malocclusion, please ask your hygienist at your next appointment.

We get this question all the time from patients who want straight teeth without traditional braces, so I thought we’d better share it with our whole patient family.

How do I clean my invisible braces?

The “invisible” braces we offer our patients can be removed for brushing and flossing. The aligners do not need special cleaning treatment and the best part is you get a new set every 2 weeks. You may notice that dental plaque will accumulate on the aligners just as it does on your teeth. You can brush the aligners with a toothbrush or other small brush to remove this plaque and prevent staining.

If you want a “deeper cleaning”, you can also make a soaking solution by diluting hydrogen peroxide with water (equal parts). Hydrogen peroxide will help kill bacteria. If you have an old set of aligners, experiment using the new cleaner on them before you use it with your current set.

* Remember to use warm (not hot) water when cleaning your aligners so they do warp.

If you have other questions about your invisible braces treatment, feel free to call us at 781-2448!