A properly aligned bite and straight teeth are the foundation of a terrific smile.

Did you know properly aligned teeth are also healthier?

Overlapped, crooked, or rotated teeth create a daily cleaning challenge. Food and bacterial plaque accumulate slowly in the tiny spaces that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. Misaligned teeth are more likely to decay, connected to inflammation, and can contribute to periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of your gum tissue. Helping even a couple straggling teeth find their proper place makes your mouth healthier. A misaligned bite may even lead to issues such as TMJ and sleep apnea.

Straightening teeth isn’t just for kids! Adults often make the most dedicated orthodontic patients, and it’s never too late to discuss the options for a bright, straight smile.  If you’re not sure wires fit your tolerance level, don’t worry. Invisible methods can work extremely well in many cases. We also offer facial growth orthodontics that allows you to fix your bite without surgery. They also happen to enhance your appearance! Dr. Chris Hill can help you explore the possibilities of each orthodontic solution we offer.

To get started on your orthodontic treatment, please call (314) 375-5353 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) or email us today for an appointment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill.

What Is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics literally means straight teeth. It involves teeth straightening and jaw alignment, combining beauty and function. The basic principle is that the body will remodel bone based on constant force. By applying constant force to your teeth, the body remodels bone around the teeth, allowing them to move.

This is easiest when the jaw is still growing and reshaping to accommodate teeth. Typically, orthodontics is used when people get their permanent teeth.

Identifying problems early may allow easier treatment with better results, but it’s never too late to discuss ways to enhance your smile!

Although all orthodontic treatments utilize the same basic principle, they can use different techniques to achieve their goals and may also have different treatment goals. We offer facial growth orthodontics to address bite problems and cosmetic orthodontics like Invisalign and Six Month Smiles to address the appearance of a smile. Establishing a proper bite is a crucial first step towards a healthier smile.

Facial Growth Orthodontics

Bite problems such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites have been difficult to treat in adults. In most cases, there was a need for risky jaw surgeries or using braces before and after surgery to achieve a proper bite. Not only is the treatment painful, but it could take multiple years to complete.

At City Smiles, we offer a solution for adults who suffer from bite problems that don’t require any surgery. We use facial growth orthodontics, also known as physiologic orthodontics. This orthodontic treatment is effective for treating bite issues in adolescents, children, and adults. It’s actually the first step we take with any patient who wants an orthodontic treatment. By establishing a proper bite upfront, the rest of your treatment will go by much smoother.

So how exactly do facial growth orthodontics work?

Facial growth orthodontics start by focusing on three main components: lip seal, nasal breathing and tongue posture. If one or more of these factors are not properly in place when the jaw develops and grows, it can disharmonize and throw off the balance of the craniofacial structure. In other words, it will affect your bite. It’s common for patients to experience an undeveloped bottom jaw that’s too small or overgrown or a top jaw that rests too far back. These problems are commonly referred to as underbites or overbites.

By using facial growth orthodontics, we are able to help patients develop their jaws to its true genetic potential, allowing them to achieve a proper bite position.

To correct these issues, we use a growth appliance in the mouth to help the three factors return to their proper working order. The growth appliance helps patients go from mouth breathers to nose breathers, to properly seal their lips, and to hold their tongues in the correct position.

After we correct the big three factors, your mouth should have an adequate amount of room to accommodate the rest of your teeth. The growth appliances will not only help your jaw grow into the correct position but stimulate your teeth to move into theirs as well. The end result is a straight, perfectly aligned, beautiful smile.

Not only does realigning your bite helps your teeth, but it enhances your facial appearance. Patients often experience plumper lips and cheeks, a more defined jawline, longer looking neck, reduced smile lines, improved posture, and even a straighter nose. Patients also experience better breathing through the nose which can eliminate sleep problems. Facial growth orthodontics can also resolve TMJ issues, providing you with long-term pain relief.

Cosmetic Orthodontic Options

If you don’t suffer from bite problems and would like orthodontics strictly to address cosmetic issues, Invisalign and Six Month Smiles can help.

Invisalign

A straight smile has never been easier to enjoy.  Clear plastic trays, known as aligners, can work the magic of braces without the shine of metal.  Not only does this make your orthodontic treatment almost invisible, the removable aligners mean you can enjoy all your favorite foods and don’t have to clean them out of your braces.  Combined with sophisticated 3D software, this technology brings a new smile within reach for most adults and mature teens. New advancements cut your treatment time in half, bringing a new smile to life faster than ever!

Learn more about Invisalign >

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles is a technique designed to create a beautiful smile by focusing only on the teeth that are visible in your smile, rather than changing the bite of your back teeth. This orthodontic treatment allows patients to achieve their dream smile in half the time as traditional braces.

Learn more about Six Month Smiles >

Let’s Transform Your Smile

Do you want to realign and straighten your teeth? Schedule a consultation with St. Louis cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill to learn more about your individual treatment plan. Please call (314) 375-5353 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) today for an appointment at City Smiles.

Invisalign

A straight smile has never been easier to enjoy.  Clear plastic trays, known as aligners, can work the magic of braces without the shine of metal.  Not only does this make your orthodontic treatment almost invisible, the removable aligners mean you can enjoy all your favorite foods and don’t have to clean them out of your braces.  Combined with sophisticated 3D software, this technology brings a new smile within reach for most adults and mature teens. New advancements cut your treatment time in half, bringing a new smile to life faster than ever!

Learn more about Invisalign >

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles is a technique designed to create a beautiful smile by focusing only on the teeth that are visible in your smile, rather than changing the bite of your back teeth.

Learn more about Six Month Smiles >

Neuromuscular Orthodontics

Straight teeth boost your smile to another level. And healthy muscles and joints should be part of the plan too. Neuromuscular Orthodontics does both.
Learn more about Neuromuscular Orthodontics >

Which Option Is Best for You?

Are you wanting to straighten your teeth? Learn which is the best orthodontic treatment for you in a consultation with St. Louis cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill. Please call (314) 678-7876 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) today for an appointment at City Smiles.