Our FAQs

Children are recommended to see the orthodontist by age 7. While it may seem early, this age is recommended because it is usually the time their permanent teeth start to come in.

Yes, of course. Teeth straightening is extremely beneficial, as it aims to correct crooked teeth, underbites, overbites, open bites, cross bites, teeth gaps, and so much more.

Millions of people around the world are suffering from some kind of oral health issue or another. Whether it’s crooked teeth, irregular bites, or misaligned jaws, these conditions are common and it’s important to seek orthodontist treatment.

There are many different types of treatments that our orthodontists offers (for children, teens, and adults), including but not limited to:

• Traditional metal braces
• Partial braces
• Mini braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Ceramic braces
• Invisalign
• Palate expanders
• Headgear
• And other specialized dental treatments to improve the alignment of one’s teeth and bite

There are many possible symptoms of an impacted tooth, such as:

• A lopsided smile
• Cavities
• Infections
• Gum disease
• Nerve damage
• Bad breath
• Pain and tenderness around the jawline 
• A prolonged headache or jaw ache
• Swollen gums
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Bad taste in mouth
• Visible gaps

Teeth impaction typically occurs due to a crowding problem. This means that the new tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in, and as a result, it may get stuck in the gums. A full impaction occurs when the tooth doesn’t erupt at all and a partial impaction occurs when the tip of the tooth reaches the gum line but does not grow in completely.

At Rawle Orthodontics, we offer many different treatment methods for diastema, such as:

• Traditional metal braces
• Partial braces
• Mini braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Ceramic braces
• Invisalign

There isn’t one particular cause of diastema, as there can be several contributing factors. Gaps may form due to the following reasons:

• A person's teeth are too small for the jawbone
• Genetics
• Overgrowth of tissue that borders your gum line and your two upper front teeth
• Excessive use of pacifier or thumb sucking as a child
• Tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue forward against the front teeth when swallowing)
• Gum disease

Diastema is a medical term that refers to a gap or space between teeth. This can occur anywhere within the teeth, but is most noticeable between the two upper front teeth.

At Rawle Orthodontics, we offer highly effective treatment methods for overjets, such as:

• Traditional metal braces
• Partial braces
• Mini braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Ceramic braces
• Invisalign

If left untreated, overjet can be bad for your health and can lead to many issues such as:

• Speech issues (lisps or slurs)
• Difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing
• Discomfort or pain while eating
• Irregular facial structure
• Embarrassment when smiling or talking
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
• Trouble sleeping
• Inability to close lips
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Gum and teeth decay from excessive plaque build-up

There are many common causes of overjet, including but not limited to:

• Thumb sucking
• Prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle
• Tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue forward against the front teeth when swallowing)
• Overcrowded teeth
• Late growth of adult teeth

Overjet is a type of malocclusion that is characterized by the top front teeth that protrude outwards, past the bottom teeth. Some people may refer to overjet as “buck teeth” or simply a “protrusion.” This condition is often a result of underdevelopment of either the upper jaw or lower jaw that results in a disproportionate facial structure.

Crossbites are generally treated with braces, Invisalign, or special retainers. However, for more severe cases, jaw surgery may be necessary. It is best to consult with an orthodontist to determine the best treatment route for you.

If left untreated, crossbites can negatively affect your oral health and overall health in the long run. For example, crossbites can lead to teeth grinding, irregular wearing of the enamel, loss of teeth, headaches, and muscle tension to the jaw.

There are many different causes that contribute to a crossbite, such as:

• Excessive use of pacifier or thumb sucking as a child
• Tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue forward against the front teeth when swallowing)
• Mouth breathing
• Delayed eruption of adult teeth

A crossbite is a condition (malocclusion) that occurs when the top teeth and bottom teeth do not come together or bite in the correct position. This type of misalignment means that some of the bottom teeth are located outside the upper teeth when your jaw is closed or some of the top teeth are positioned inside the bottom teeth. The crossbite can occur in the front of the mouth (anterior) or the sides and back of the mouth (posterior).

An overbite occurs when the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth, which is typically by a proportion of between 30-50%. The medical term for an overbite is known as an malocclusion. An overbite is apparent when a person’s teeth and jaw are not aligned properly.

An overbite can be caused by the following:

• Genetics
• Grinding teeth
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

An overbite occurs when the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth, which is typically by a proportion of between 30-50%. The medical term for an overbite is known as an malocclusion. An overbite is apparent when a person’s teeth and jaw are not aligned properly.