Orthodoncy is the "specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw improved bite (occlusion)." (www.wikipedia.com)

Conditions which Denver Orthodontists normally treat are involved with the mandibles, or jaws either being too far forward or, the opposite - too far back. Crowding of the teeth, teeth which have grown one over the other (vertical discrepancy) and cross-bite (transverse discrepancy) are other conditions which Denver Orthodontists treat with regularity.

Denver Orthodontists will normally resolve these conditions with conventional, tried and true approaches. "In diagnosis and treatment planning, the orthodontist must (1) recognize the various characteristics of malocclusion and dentofacial deformity; (2) define the nature of the problem, including the etiology if possible; and (3) design a treatment strategy based on the specific needs and desires of the individual. (4) present the treatment strategy to the patient in such a way that the patient fully understands the ramifications of his/her decision." (www.wikipedia.com)

Functional and orthopedic appliances are devices employed for corrective treatments which are used on children from the ages of 5 to 14. Such pieces include "removable appliances, or "plates", headgear, expansion appliances and many other devices used to move teeth." (www.wikipedia.com)

Denver Orthodontists will have a patients use retainers normally after the patient has undergone treatment involving the movement of teeth. The purpose of the retainers is to keep the teeth in their newly aligned position by preventing them from shifting.

Orthopedic headgear and facemasks are used mostly by adolescents to modify the growth of the jaw structure.

Also described as "over-crowding". This dental situation involves the growth of teeth where there is not sufficient jaw room to accommodate all of the teeth - hence, they grow one next to another or on top of another, depending on whether the upper or lower jaw are involved. Normally, the new tooth will be braced into position while the old tooth is removed.

"Crowding of teeth is recognized as an affliction that stems in part from a modern western lifestyle. It is unknown whether it is due to the consistency of western diets, as a result of mouth breathing, or the result of an early loss of deciduous (milk, baby) teeth due to decay. Other theories state that the malocclusion could be due to trauma during development that affects the permanent tooth bud, ectopic eruption of teeth, supernumerary teeth, and early loss of the primary tooth." (www.wikipedia.org)

Also referred to as either "deep" or "openbite" and "occurs when front teeth do not overlap. A lack of vertical overlap of the incisor teeth can usually be traced to jaw disharmony or persistently bad habits. Digit sucking and posturing of the tongue between the front teeth should be avoided and discouraged at all costs. An openbite may also be caused by excessive vertical growth of one or both jaws. Early assessment and intervention with these disorders is critical to the overall success of the treatment." (www.nydentist.co.kr)

Also known as "crossbites", this dental condition occurs "when some of the teeth wind up on the "wrong side of the track," meaning the bottom teeth are shifted to one side or shoved forward or backward. If, for example, when you bite down, your top teeth fall inside your bottom teeth on one side, you have a "unilateral posterior crossbite." If your top front teeth fall behind your lower front teeth when you bite down, then you have an "anterior cross bite," which is similar to an underbite." (www.e-body.specialist.com)

For this condition Denver Orthodontists will normally use an "expander", which is widened each night and is fixed to the roof of the mouth. It is very important to correct this condition, in children, as early as possible. Otherwise, the child will end up suffering from TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). When untreated, "TMJ can lead to head and cheek pain, a clicking or popping sound each you open and close your mouth, limited range of motion of the jaw joint, and other symptoms." (www.e-body.specialist.com)

Currently, there are treatments using state-of-the-art equipment such as CAD for 3D duplication, invisible braces like Invisalign, porcelain veneers for "instant orthodontics" (www.docshop.com) and nickel titanium and thermal activitated wires in braces. These innovations are meant to provide more comfort to the wearer, while on the same token, decrease the treatment time.