Orthodontics
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Lawrence O'Mallon, DMD
Children's Dentist & Orthodontics located in Jersey City, NJ
Crooked teeth can set you up for a lifetime of oral health problems such as tooth loss, gum disease and TMJ. To prevent these concerns from escalating, Lawrence O'Mallon with Dr. Jeffrey Seiger offers orthodontic services. For over 30 years Dr. Seiger have worked hand in hand to ensure a great and quick outcome for your child. All in the convenience of the same office. Dr. Jeffrey W. Seiger is a board certified orthodontist who received his orthodontic degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Dental School in 1983. He is an active member of the American Board of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontics, New Jersey Association of Orthodontics and past president of Fairleigh Dickinson Orthdontic Society. Call Dr. Seiger today for more information on the orthodontic treatments available.
Orthodontics Q & A
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty that straightens crooked teeth and corrects misaligned bite issues. While many people think orthodontic treatments only serve an aesthetic purpose, crooked teeth and bite problems can lead to several serious dental concerns over time, including:
Tooth decay
When your teeth are crooked, it’s easier for small food particles to get stuck inside those nooks and crannies. Over time, plaque and bacteria can lead to tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss in some cases.
Gum disease
When gums begin loosening or receding, they create small pockets for harmful bacteria to enter. Gums stay tight and healthy when your teeth and bite are properly aligned. This helps to prevent gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, from developing in the future.
Jaw pain
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is often caused by a misaligned bite, which can put stress on your jaw joints. When there is too much stress on these joints, you may experience jaw pain, headaches, facial pain, and more.
Poor speech
A severe underbite or overbite can significantly impact your ability to speak correctly.
How can orthodontics help me?
Orthodontic treatment and braces benefit your oral health in a number of ways, such as:
Bite correction
Whether you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, orthodontic appliances can correct your bite problems by harnessing your own body’s ability to reshape bone and tissues in your mouth. A bite correction helps to prevent future dental issues, such as TMJ, tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.
Straighter smile
Braces and aligners work to shift your teeth over six months to three years to give you a straighter, healthier smile. Straighter teeth will lower your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
Pain relief
If you suffer from chronic jaw pain, special jaw repositioning appliances called splints can help adjust your jaw over time. Not only does this put less stress on your jaw joints, but it also alleviates jaw pain.
Interceptive Orthodontics
Space maintainers are used when children lose their baby teeth early. This sometimes happen due to trauma or decay. When a tooth is lost, other teeth will shift to fill in the space. Though this sounds good, it can actually cause spacing and alignment problems when the adult teeth start to come in. Because of this, spacers are used to fill in the space where the tooth is missing so that the other teeth stay in place. There arer two types of spacers: fixed and removable. Fixed spacers use a "band and loop," "crown and loop," or "distal shoe" type or spacer to fill where the tooth is missing
Do I have orthodontic treatment options?
There are a number of different orthodontic treatment options you can choose from, depending on the dental concerns you want to correct. From palatal expanders and traditional metal braces to clear ceramic braces and retainers, Dr. Seiger and his team offers a wide range of treatment options at the practice.
For more information on the orthodontic treatment options available at Dr. Lawrence O’Mallon, call today.
