WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?
More than just a pretty smile, a good bite
Orthodontics used to be called orthodontia – the word comes from the Greek orthos, meaning “straight, perfect or proper”, and dontos, which means “teeth”. An orthodontist is a dentist who went to a 3 year orthodontics residency after dental school. Orthodontics insures that your mouth close properly, and that upper and lower teeth mesh together accordingly. A good occlusion makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Additionally, a beautiful smile adds to self-esteem and self-confidence. The goal of orthodontics is both a good bite and a beautiful smile.
Dr. Elfersi is a board certified orthodontist in Beverly Hills who provides complimentary orthodontic consultations and can evaluate your bite and smile.
How does orthodontics work?
At Elfersi Orthodontics in Beverly Hills, Dr. Elfersi uses a range of orthodontic devices, including headgears, braces, and Invisalign trays to gently apply continuous pressure and slowly move teeth into place. As the teeth move, the occlusion improves and routine visits with your orthodontist allow to adjust teeth displacement. Technically, this is a biomechanical process called bone remodeling. Your mouth is a complex system of teeth, jaws, gum and facial muscles that need to be properly aligned by an orthodontist. Dr. Elfersi went through a 3-year orthodontics residency and was trained to treat all malocclusion conditions.
What causes orthodontic problems?
Why is treatment so important?
Orthodontics creates a better bite, making teeth fit better, and decreases the risk of future, and potentially costly dental problems. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain causing tooth enamel to wear abnormally, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking. Malocclusions can cause excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue leading to headaches, TMJ syndrome as well as neck, shoulder and back pain. Without treatment by an orthodontist, many problems simply become worse. In doubt, contact Dr. Elfersi, a Beverly Hills board certified orthodontist for a complimentary consultation.
Will I benefit from orthodontics?
- Crowding — when there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate
- Excessing Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not “fill up” the mouth
- Overbite — the upper front teeth lie too far forward (stick out) over the lower teeth
- Underbite — the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back
- Crossbite — when the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally
- Open bite — space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together
- Misplaced midline— when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth
