Don’t be afraid, orthodontic treatment often sounds scarier than it really is. Orthodontists, Like any medical specialists, have their own terminology used to describe dental issues that can be treated with braces and the latest orthodontic technology, like Invisalign. According to Dr. Christopher Rawle, a top orthodontist in Casselberry, Florida, understanding the terms doctors use can alleviate the stress some patients have before a consultation.

Dr. Rawle suggests prospective patients in Casselberry, Florida, learn these 8 simple terms before visiting an orthodontist:

• Over-bite, or when the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth, is fairly common. But a deep bite, where the lower teeth are completely covered by the uppers, can be unhealthy, according to Dr. Rawle. Deep bite contributes to gum loss and causes excessive wear on the top front teeth.
• Cross-bite, called an under-bite, happens when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Dr. Rawle has seen the issue lead to a variety of issues, including gum loss and uneven wear on teeth, in some of his patients in Casselberry, Florida.
• Open-bite is when the upper and lower teeth thrust forward and do not touch, according to Dr. Rawlw. The condition is attributed to a number of potential causes, including thumb-sucking, thrusting your tongue against your teeth when you swallow or sleep, underdeveloped teeth, or an abnormal jaw structure.
• Crowding is a dental misalignment caused when the dental arch is too small or the teeth are too large. According to Dr. Rawle, the issue is more than a cosmetic crooked smile. Crowding may cause gums to recede and weaken, which can lead to impacted teeth, or teeth that grow beneath the gum line but never push through the surface.
• Spacing refers to significant gaps between teeth and is caused by teeth that are missing or small or when the dental arch is very wide. Dr. Rawle has seen the condition lead to uneven wear on teeth in patients in Casselberry, Florida.
• Appliance is a term orthodontists use to describe anything the attach to teeth that helps reposition the teeth or changes the shape of the jaw, according to Dr. Christopher Rawle.
• Retainers are appliances orthodontists have their patients wear after braces are removed. The retainer attaches to a patient’s teeth and holds them in place. Some retainers are bonded to the tongue side of several teeth and others are removable.
• Invisalign is a popular alternative to braces in Casselberry, Florida. The relatively new technology straightens teeth with a series of clear, custom-molded aligners. The removable aligners, which are nearly invisible, are worn throughout the day but can be removed to eat and clean the teeth, according to Dr. Rawle.