Orthodontic Treatment in Munster & St. John, Indiana

Orthodontics aims to enhance and fix the misalignment of teeth. An orthodontist is a specially trained dentist who has graduated from dental school and undergone an additional two to three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. That’s why we always say you should trust your smile to a specialist!

People who receive orthodontic care often enjoy:

• Improved self-esteem
• Lower risk of “bad bites” (malocclusion)
• Lower risk of diseases of the teeth
• Better chewing and improved pronunciation when speaking
• Cosmetic correction that enhances the appearance of your smile

Simply put, orthodontists are specialists with the education, technical skill, and practical know-how to bring out your best smile!

Orthodontic treatment offers the most comprehensive solution for achieving a better smile. We start by evaluating your specific requirements and assessing your smile, which then helps us create a custom treatment plan aimed at aligning your teeth and jaws. By utilizing techniques such as braces or aligners, we carefully guide your teeth towards their ideal positions throughout the duration of your treatment. While it requires some patience, the end result— a straight, healthy, and vibrant smile—is truly worth the wait!

When it comes to selecting an orthodontist and orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child’s smile, it’s incredibly important to make a well-informed decision. Since orthodontic care is a journey, it is essential to establish a sense of ease and satisfaction with the doctor(s) and their team. When looking for an orthodontist, don’t be afraid to:

• Seek recommendations from friends, family, co-workers, and even your regular dentist, as they can offer valuable first-hand insights.
• Consider the orthodontist’s education and experience carefully.
• Ask questions to ensure you’re seeing a specialized orthodontist, rather than a general dentist.
• Schedule consultations with multiple offices to explore your options.

After all, this is about creating a smile you’ll be wearing for a lifetime!

Seeking orthodontic treatment can be overwhelming and confusing. However, it is important to remember that regardless of your dental situation, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with a trusted orthodontist. While we have successfully treated various conditions within a wide range of complexities, some of the most common conditions we treat include:

• Overbite: This occurs when the upper teeth extend too far beyond the lower teeth, also known as “buck teeth.”
• Underbite: The opposite of an overbite, this happens when the lower teeth extend too far beyond the upper teeth.
• Open Bite: In this condition, the back teeth align properly but the front teeth are misaligned and do not overlap correctly.
• Excess Spacing: When there are large gaps between the teeth, it is referred to as excess spacing.
• Crowding: This occurs when there is inadequate space for all the teeth to fit comfortably in the mouth.
• TMJ problems: The jaw joints may be causing pain or functioning poorly.
  Missing teeth: This condition can be managed by positioning the remaining teeth to benefit the eventual tooth replacements (bridges or implants) by the family dentist.

Say farewell to messy traditional impressions and say hello to the future with the iTero Element Scanner! This revolutionary device effortlessly captures precise 3D models of your teeth and gums without any discomfort or gagging.

With its speed and accuracy, the scanner allows us to show you a visual representation of your future smile as you progress through your orthodontic treatment. Throughout the scanning process, you can relax, feel at ease, and even pause if you need to sneeze. The iTero Element Scanner is here to ensure your journey to a straighter smile is as seamless and comfortable as can be.

At Orthodontic Specialists, we prioritize both the safety and ease of diagnosing your dental conditions. Our advanced digital X-ray technology not only guarantees accurate results but also reduces radiation exposure by up to 75% compared to traditional X-rays. Once your scan is complete, we can promptly view and enlarge the scans of your teeth for accurate diagnosis.

Our most common types of X-rays include:

• Panoramic radiograph: This X-ray provides information about the presence and position of unerupted teeth, the health of supported bone around the teeth, jaw joints (TMJ), sinuses, and the jaw bones (maxilla and mandible).

• Lateral cephalogram: This is a profile X-ray of the skull and soft tissues, useful for child growth predictions and adult treatment predictions. With this X-ray, we can assess the relation of the teeth to the jaw, the relation of the jaw to the skull, and the relation of the soft tissues to the teeth and jaw.