Here at Delplanche Orthodontics, we’re committed to giving you the best bite possible through effective orthodontic treatment. This allows the teeth to come together correctly, brings the teeth and jaws into alignment, and positively impacts the face shape and features. Orthodontist Dr. John Delplanche is an expert in balancing the function and appearance of a patient’s smile, which is an essential skill if you’re dealing with facial asymmetry caused by a jaw imbalance or misaligned bite!
Most of us have some facial asymmetry, although it tends to be subtle. But some facial asymmetries are far more apparent, including those caused by orthodontic issues. If this is something you’ve been dealing with, you already know that asymmetry can affect the appearance of your smile and your face in general. Untreated orthodontic problems can also lead to other symptoms, such as jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and more. That’s where we come in!
Our expert team has the education and experience necessary to identify the type of orthodontic issues that may lead to facial asymmetry. Once we’ve found the root cause, we can help balance out your facial symmetry and improve the overall appearance of your smile! Keep reading below to learn more about what can cause asymmetries and how we can treat them!
What orthodontic issues can cause facial asymmetry?
Some of the most common issues in our Lake Oswego and Beaverton offices cause facial asymmetry, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. Here’s a closer look at what’s behind these conditions and how they can affect your facial symmetry!
Overbite
With an overbite, the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth. Slight overbites are incredibly common, but a more significant case can be detrimental to the teeth and health of the jaw joints. It can also impact the shape of the patient’s face, producing a “weak” chin and sunken appearance. Orthodontic treatment can relieve these symptoms and more, helping your face look fuller and more even.
Underbite
An underbite is when lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth. This can make the jaw appear much more prominent and may result in uncomfortable pressure on the teeth, difficulty eating, or a negative impact on speech. Treatment will help shift the jaw into the proper placement, giving the face a more natural appearance.
Crossbite
With a crossbite, some of the upper teeth are behind the lower instead of in front of them. This puts pressure on the teeth and makes them more vulnerable to chipping. It may also affect facial symmetry. Orthodontic treatment with Delplanche Orthodontics can realign the teeth, giving you a straighter smile and a more symmetrical facial appearance.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the jaw is closed. This can interfere with chewing and biting properly. It is also a relatively obvious orthodontic issue that impacts a patient’s facial appearance, often affecting self-confidence. Correcting an open bite with orthodontic treatment will help resolve physical symptoms while improving your cosmetic appearance.
How can orthodontic treatment help correct facial asymmetry?
Orthodontic issues like the ones above shift your teeth over time, moving your jawbone and affecting the overall appearance of your face. Our personalized treatment plans help produce a more natural bite and symmetrical facial appearance. We use a range of affordable treatment options to achieve this.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most widely used orthodontic appliance for a reason—they have a proven track record of successfully correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues. Though they’ve been around for a long time now, braces have seen some serious upgrades in recent years. Metal braces at Delplanche Orthodontics are far more comfortable, effective, and aesthetically pleasing than previous designs were! Metal braces are one of our most cost-efficient options and can be particularly useful in complex or severe cases.
Clear braces
Sometimes called ceramic braces, these function the same way metal braces do but come with the added benefit of clear brackets. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored bands, they’re an incredibly subtle way to straighten the teeth! Because they are far less visible than their metal counterparts, clear braces are popular with image-conscious teens and adults in Lake Oswego and Beaverton. The ceramic brackets are slightly larger and more brittle than the metal ones, so we tend to use them on the upper front teeth more often than the lower ones.
Invisalign clear aligners
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth. These aligners offer an extra measure of freedom and flexibility that you’ll love! Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours each day and switched out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks for the system to work. This allows them to keep up with the movements the teeth are making. When worn as directed by Dr. Delplanche, Invisalign aligners can be just as efficient as braces at correcting many of the most common orthodontic issues.
What about severe cases of facial asymmetry?
If you have severe facial asymmetry, you can still benefit from orthodontic treatment, but it may need to be combined with surgery for the best results. As with any orthodontic treatment, your doctor will customize this to your unique needs and goals. Orthodontics may be involved before or after surgery. Occasionally, patients will need treatment both before and after surgery. If this is recommended, you can trust that Dr. Delplanche will work closely with your surgeon to give you a stress-free experience with superior results!
Give your smile the best with treatment from Delplanche Orthodontics
If you’ve been struggling with facial asymmetry due to orthodontic issues, Dr. Delplanche can help you achieve a balanced smile and a more symmetrical facial appearance! We’d love to meet you and discuss all of your options. Contact our office in Lake Oswego or Beaverton today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Delplanche.